20,000+ Unemployment Claims Filed In Colorado Following Coronavirus Pandemic

DENVER (CBS4) - The surge in unemployment claims made with the Colorado Department and Labor and Employment grew to more than 20,000 this week, following Gov. Jared Polis's order on Monday that dine-in restaurants and bars close for 30 days.

Nearly 100,000 calls were made to unemployment in Colorado this week, up from 9,900 last week. The number of people visiting the online application went up from 7,000 last week to 114,000 this week.

"The department is implementing system maintenance to accommodate unprecedented demand and increase capacity and stability," the department stated regarding slow internet processing times some people are experiencing.

Some people are getting through the overloaded system, others are not. Dave Lorenzini is one of the former. He's a chef who is now trying to cook up a new job. The first thing he did though was fill out an application for unemployment compensation.

"I applied on Monday for unemployment. I was lucky enough to get in no problems, no worries ... it didn't crash for me," he said.

He came to Costco looking for work. It's one of the few places in the Denver metro area that's still hopping with people. There, it wasn't hard to find people suddenly out of work who told CBS4 they are having a tough time filing for compensation.

RELATED: Latest Updates On The Coronavirus Outbreak In Colorado

One woman who asked that we not use her name has been laid off from her bartender job.

"I have tried to file for unemployment about like 10 times and every single time the system has been overloaded, so I was going to try to get a number to call I guess," she said.

Here's the recording you get if you call:

If you are calling for more information about possible unemployment benefits during the coronavirus outbreak we do not have more information at this time please consult the website.

But going online has left a lot of people spinning their wheels.

The bartender added "I've gone through it a couple of times -- even got all my information in like almost an hour of typing things over and over about jobs and stuff and it would go 'Error, start over," she said.

State labor directors suggests trying before 7 a.m. or after 7 p.m. and if you get onto the website successfully save your information frequently.

An Edwards man told CBS4 that after two days of trying he got up at 6 a.m. and was able to get into the website. He said the information he received is that his compensation would be less than if he got in earlier.

It is important to note that the governor said Friday that if you are unable to get through at this time you will not lose any benefits.

You can file a claim online at coloradoui.gov/fileaclaim. Indicate you expect to return to work and are job-attached to your last employer.

*Editor's note: The CDLE implemented changes to when unemployed Coloradans can apply.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Because of the high volume of claims, we are asking that you help us help you and our greater community.

If you need to file an unemployment claim and your last name begins with the letter A - M, file a claim on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, or after 12 noon on Saturday.

If you need to file an unemployment claim and your last name begins with the letter N - Z, file a claim on Monday, Wednesday, Friday or before 12 noon on Saturday.