Unemployment Applications Drop In Colorado But Payout Grows

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DENVER (AP) - The number of new people applying for unemployment benefits in Colorado declined again last week. The state paid out $95.3 million in regular unemployment benefits as the U.S. economy bears the weight of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state labor department says 15,603 people applied for regular unemployment benefits while 6,635 self-employed and gig workers filed claims for federal assistance in Colorado.

Last week's regular unemployment benefits payout was up from $88.8 million the week before.

During the height of the Great Recession, the state paid out an average of $19 million in unemployment benefits each week.