For Immediate Release

 

Date:                      May 8, 2008

Contact:                 Bill Thoennes

                                Office of Government, Policy and Public Relations

Phone:                   (303) 318-8004 or (720) 289-7771

Web:                       www.coworkforce.com

 

 

..PHOTO AND VIDEO OPPORTUNITY..

COLORADO’S LAST UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK ROLLS OFF THE PRESS
FRIDAY AT 12 NOON

It’s the end of an era and the start of new way of doing business

 

On Friday, May 9, the last Unemployment check will be printed in Colorado.  Since its inception in 1935, unemployment benefits have been paid to individuals by issuing them a check, mailed every two weeks, a process that has been costly and time consuming.  On Friday, after seventy three years and millions of checks, the last one will come off the line at 12 noon and Colorado will officially begin delivering unemployment benefits in an entirely new way.

 

Beginning Monday, May 12, all existing as well as new claimants will be paid with a  Visa^® debit card called a Colorado Automated Payment (CAP) Card.  Benefits will automatically be deposited into their CAP Card account.  The debit card provides greater convenience to claimants, greater security, more accessibility to account balances and information.  In addition, it is far more cost effective.  First year savings on printing checks and mailing them out will save Colorado $251,895.

 

Reporters, photographers and photojournalists are invited to capture this milestone in unemployment insurance delivery in Colorado.  Representatives from the Unemployment Insurance program will be on hand to explain how the CAP card works and will be available to answer questions.  A 73 year old tradition comes to an end Friday at Noon.

 

                                                                                                                                            
Where:       251 East 12th Avenue

                   Meet in lobby of the building

                                                                                                                  
Time:          Friday, May 9, 2008 at 12 Noon

 

Please contact Bill Thoennes at 303-318-8004 (or cell phone: 720-289-7771) if you would like to attend.