Unemployment for Self-Employed and Gig Workers in Colorado
Whether 1099 contractors, gig workers and the self-employed can collect unemployment in Colorado, and what misclassified workers can do.
Short answer: Anyone may file a written complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment alleging that an employer misclassified a worker as an independent contractor. Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Worker Misclassification Reporting & Advisory Opinions
| Self-employed, 1099 and gig workers | Anyone may file a written complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment alleging that an employer misclassified a worker as an independent contractor. If an investigation finds misclassification, the employer must pay all back unemployment insurance premiums with interest, and willful misclassification can bring fines of up to $5,000 per worker for a first offense and up to $25,000 per worker for later offenses. The complaining party's information is treated as confidential. |
|---|
More Colorado unemployment benefits
- Logging In to Your Colorado Unemployment Claim
- Unemployment After Being Fired in Colorado
- Unemployment After Quitting in Colorado
- How Much Unemployment Pays in Colorado
- How to File for Unemployment in Colorado
- All Colorado unemployment benefits rules
FAQ
Can self-employed or gig workers get unemployment in Colorado?
Anyone may file a written complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment alleging that an employer misclassified a worker as an independent contractor. If an investigation finds misclassification, the employer must pay all back unemployment insurance premiums with interest, and willful misclassification can bring fines of up to $5,000 per worker for a first offense and up to $25,000 per worker for later offenses. The complaining party's information is treated as confidential.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.