DENVER -- The state's unemployed received disappointing news this month. Colorado did not qualify for 13 weeks of extended unemployment insurance benefits (EUI) from the federal government.

Under the nation's recently passed stimulus bill, states that averaged a 6 percent unemployment rate over three months qualified for the EUI. Colorado's came in at 5.9 percent -- a tenth of a point short, despite a November unemployment rate of 5.8 percent, a December rate of 5.8 percent and January rate of 6.6 percent.

The director of Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment, Mike Cullen, said that's because Washington uses a different mathematical formula when averaging the months together.

"They are taking it beyond a tenth of a point. They are taking it possibly four or five decimal points out and they are also using raw data from those months," said Cullen. "You're right, though. If you take those three numbers and add them together and divide them by three it looks like we're at 6 percent but if it gets into the 'rounding,' it really falls shy of the 6 percent," said Cullen.

Angelo Eaton said he was frustrated. Eaton said he has been on unemployment for months and he has exhausted his benefits. He said he can't find work as a cook and is worried he won't be able to pay the bills.

"I don't want to beg for money but I may have to beg," said Eaton.

Cullen said he was confident the state's February unemployment numbers will trigger Tier II status, or 6 percent. The numbers will be released March 27 and, if Colorado qualifies, the state said it will contact those who are eligible.

People like Eaton will be able to refile a claim and receive the 13 additional weeks if the status is approved by Washington, D.C.