StateTally

Colorado Unemployment Weekly Benefit Calculator

Colorado’s unemployment system determines your weekly benefit by looking at the two highest consecutive quarters of earnings and applying a 60 % rate, subject to minimum and maximum limits.

Reviewed 2026-08-27 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

Colorado uses the two CONSECUTIVE quarters with the highest combined total. Before taxes.
Before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment — unemployment insurance — C.R.S. § 8-73-102; Colorado CDLE.

How Colorado calculates it

  • Identify your two highest consecutive quarters of wages.
  • Add the wages from those two quarters.
  • Divide the sum by 26 to get an average weekly wage.
  • Multiply that average by 60 %.
  • Apply the state minimum of $25/week and the maximum of $767/week.
  • Colorado also runs a second calculation (55 % of the whole‑base‑period average weekly wage, capped at $844) and pays whichever amount is higher; caps are updated each July.

Worked example

Quarters of $13,500 and $12,500: ($13,500 + $12,500) ÷ 26 × 60% = $600 — a weekly benefit of $600 for up to 26 weeks ($15,600 total if fully drawn).

Frequently asked questions

What wages are used to calculate the benefit?

The calculation uses the wages you earned in your two highest consecutive quarters, as well as a separate calculation using the average weekly wage for the entire base period.

How is the weekly benefit amount determined?

First, the sum of the two highest consecutive quarters is divided by 26 and multiplied by 60 %. The result is then limited to at least $25 and at most $767 per week. Colorado also runs a 55 % calculation on the whole‑base‑period average, capped at $844, and pays the higher of the two amounts.

What is the maximum number of weeks benefits can be received?

Benefits can be paid for up to 26 weeks.

When do the benefit caps change?

The minimum and maximum benefit caps are adjusted each July.

Which calculation usually results in a higher benefit?

The 55 % whole‑base‑period calculation, capped at $844, typically only exceeds the 60 % two‑quarter calculation for steady year‑long earners near the top of the wage scale.

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