Human Resources

Resources for Employees in the Event of Separation from CU (Layoff or Retirement)

Leave Accrual Payout

You will be paid out for all accrued unused vacation, subject to the maximum allowed, through your employment end date. If you meet age and service requirements for retirement at your employment end date, you will also be paid out for ¼ of your accrued unused sick leave, subject to the maximum allowed. Once your MyLeave calendar is up to date for the remainder of your employment, we will conduct a leave audit and then will be able to provide you with an exact amount of your gross payout.

Health and Welfare Benefits When Leaving CU

Your elected benefits (medical, dental, vision, STD, LTD, Life, etc.) if any, will continue until the last day of the month of your employment. You may opt to continue your current medical, dental and/or vision coverage under COBRA. Please check CU’s COBRA rate sheet: https://www.cu.edu/docs/cobra-rate-sheet. You may have more affordable alternatives for coverage through other group health plans (such as spouse/partner’s plan) or by checking the Colorado Health Insurance Marketplace.

Employee Services has resources to support your campus as you work with Faculty and Staff that are departing from the university.

  1. Electronic employee guide with links to valuable resources: Leaving CU
  2. Leaving CU website (updates coming soon)
  3. Electronic employee guides to prepare for retirement meetings with a benefit professional: Retirement Ready 401(a) Participants, Retirement Ready PERA Participants
  4. Retirement Ready website

These user-friendly tools will help you navigate things like: final pay, W2s, benefits, COBRA and prepare for a retirement meeting with a benefits professional.

To discuss your benefits in more detail, please contact Employee Services at (303) 860-4200, option 3, or benefits@cu.edu. You may also want to speak with benefits about how to handle your retirement account(s).

Please note that you will have access to pay stubs, W-2, direct deposit and benefits enrollment information until your last day of employment. Once your IdentiKey is disabled, you will no longer have access to the MyCUInfo portal. Please make sure to download any items you will need from the portal and ensure that your personal information, including mailing address, is up to date in the portal before your last day of employment.

Filing for Unemployment

You are eligible to file for unemployment through the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) at the end of your employment. The University of Colorado Boulder Department of Human Resources has developed an Unemployment Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist you.

Your termination letter serves as evidence of your University of Colorado Boulder employment separation.

Please note that the University of Colorado Boulder does not determine eligibility for benefits and unemployment benefits may be delayed due to accrued vacation payout and/or severance payment.

Campus Resources

You may access the following campus resources:

  • Employee Relations at hrer@colorado.edu

  • Faculty & Staff Assistance Program
    • While employed, you are eligible for up to seven counseling sessions annually beginning the date of your first appointment.
    • Following your last day of employment, you are eligible for an additional two counseling sessions and one referral session within a three-week period. The referral session can be requested without having had a counseling session first.
    • Please note that counseling sessions will be performed remotely via encrypted video conferencing.
    • Due to licensing restrictions, this service is only eligible to those in the State of Colorado at the time of service.
  • CU Boulder Resource Guide containing a comprehensive list of community support and assistance resources

Employees on Visas – Leaving the Country:

  • J-1 Visa holders will have 30 days from their last working day to leave the country.
  • H-1B Visa holders are advised to leave the country as soon as is manageable and reasonable after their last working day.

Any foreign national interested in remaining in the U.S. after his or her last working day are highly encouraged to consult with an immigration attorney to discuss options and alternatives.

Losing CU Systems Access

Employees will lose access to CU systems at 12 AM on the date identified as their last working day in the layoff paperwork.

  • Alumni Employees
    • Former employees who are also alumni of the university will maintain their Colorado.edu email address
  • CU Retirees
    • Retirees of the university will maintain their Colorado.edu email address.

Job Search Resources

Resources for Job Search, Providers, and Career Exploration [ pdf ]