Republican lawmakers ask Gov. Polis to end federal unemployment benefits

SOUTHERN COLORADO, Colo. (KRDO) -- Representatives Doug Lamborn, Ken Buck, and Lauren Boebert are calling on Governor Jared Polis to end federal unemployment benefits. Currently, federal unemployment benefits are set to last through September.

In a letter, the Republican lawmakers ask Gov. Polis to end benefits, saying the aid was meant to be temporary and help during the pandemic, but it has now incentivized "workers to stay at home and out of the workforce." The lawmakers suggest pursuing "a strategy that incentivizes Coloradans to return to work," rather than staying at home.

Breaking In response to the large number of job vacancies that are harming Colorado's businesses, @RepKenBuck, @RepBoebert & I are calling on Gov. Polis to end the enhanced federal unemployment benefits and instead get Coloradans back to work.

Read the full letter. pic.twitter.com/LnBTD47BzG

— Rep. Doug Lamborn (@RepDLamborn) June 11, 2021

However, in May, Gov. Polis signed an Executive Order creating an incentive program to urge unemployed Coloradans to return to work full-time. Under the Colorado Jumpstart Incentive Program, unemployed individuals are eligible to receive an incentive of up to $1,600 to support the transition into full-time work.

Since launching the initiative, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reports 7,953 people have returned to work since May 23. Those individuals either received a $1,600 incentive to go back to work full-time in May or $1,200 in June.

For more information on the Jumpstart program, click here.