Polis allows jobless benefits for unpaid federal workers

Gov. Jared Polis says federal workers in Colorado who are required to work without pay through the government shutdown can now apply for unemployment.

The Denver Post reported Friday that Polis signed an emergency rule that makes all unpaid federal employees eligible, whether or not they are reporting to work.

Air traffic controllers, Transportation Security Administration workers and IRS employees have been labeled essential and can’t be furloughed. That made them ineligible for state unemployment benefits.

All federal workers who receive unemployment will have to repay them after they recover their lost wages, and they will have to look for work to keep receiving benefits.

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment officials say more than 2,000 furloughed federal workers have already applied for unemployment benefits in the state.