The head of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said thousands of unemployed Coloradans are set to lose their benefits in the coming month unless Congress approves a longer extension.
“There will be about 25,000 people who are going to immediately lose their benefits right now, and there will be 6,000 a week for the next few weeks, so it’s quite a few people,” said Don Mares, executive director of the labor department.
His office has been busy fielding inquiries from worried recipients.
“People are calling asking questions, like, ‘What is Congress going to do?’ A lot of questions coming in,” he said.
The Workforce Center off Speer Boulevard and 14th Avenue is already seeing the effects of the delay as job seekers arrive looking for available positions.
Sylvester Gibson is one of them.
“I’ve been laid off from my job for going on 15 months now. The business I worked for closed down and moved to California. They laid off 300 people. I have been looking ever since,” Gibson said.
Gibson has applied to hundreds of jobs with no success. His unemployment benefits just ran out.
“We all know it’s hard to find jobs right now. I’m stressed and concerned about bills and making ends meet,” Gibson said.
