The Industrial Claim Appeals Office (ICAO) is the unit of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) responsible for the review of both Unemployment Insurance (UI) decisions issued by Hearing Officers, and Workers' Compensation decisions issued by the Administrative Law Judges (ALJs).
The Industrial Claim Appeals Panel (ICAP or Panel) consists of five ALJs who consider appeals from those decisions. In most instances, the Panel reviews cases after a hearing has been held and benefits have been granted or denied. However, even when a hearing has not been held, the Panel does NOT hold hearings in the cases it considers. The final order of the Panel is the final action of CDLE.
Appeals are considered by at least two Panel members. Their decision must be based on the evidence that was presented to the Hearing Officer or ALJ who conducted the hearing or other proceeding. The Panel is not permitted to alter the decision of the Hearing Officer or ALJ based on evidence that is presented for the first time on appeal.
The Panel may affirm, correct, modify, reverse, or set aside the decision issued by the Hearing Officer and/or ALJ. The Panel may also send the case back (remand the case) to the Hearing Officer or ALJ for a new hearing, new decision or additional findings.
Document formats:
The ICAO website contains links to documents created and maintained by other agencies, and those documents may be in Adobe PDF format. If a document is identified as a PDF document, you must have Adobe Reader installed on your computer in order to view it. If you do not have Adobe Reader, or your version is not up-to-date, you may download the current version for free. Click here to download Adobe Reader.
For the ICAO Workers' Compensation Appeals home page, click here.
Unemployment Insurance:
Frequently Asked Questions (UI):
We have provided answers to a number of frequently asked questions regarding Unemployment Insurance ICAO appeals which we hope will help you through the appeals process. However, if you need additional information, please contact us directly by clicking here.
You can also obtain more information regarding the entire ICAO Appeals process by reviewing the Industrial Claim Appeals Office pamphlet Appealing the Hearing Officer's Decision
For an interactive MSPowerPoint presentation regarding the entire appeals process, please click on the Appeals PowerPoint Presentation.
For a comprehensive overvew of the UI appeal and hearings process, review the Appeals Process brochure (.pdf).
If you would like to visit us in person, please check in with the CDLE Reception Desk on the Second Floor.
Statutes, Rules, and Regulations:
If you disagree with a Final Order you receive from the Panel, you may file an appeal with the Colorado Court of Appeals. The Court has a number of specific procedures you must follow if you wish to file an appeal, and specific forms for appeals of Unemployment Insurance and Workers' Compensation cases. You may access those forms and procedures online, as well as information about how to file an appeal with the Court. If you have additional questions, the telephone number for the Colorado Court of Appeals is (303) 837-3785.
Unemployment Insurance Library:
Looking for information about unemployment issues? We have created a library that contains information about many common unemployment topics. Each entry includes relevant statutes, regulations, and court cases for easy reference.
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