"Curo's a player I know well from my time at Reading. He's a proven goalscorer," Colchester boss Phil Parkinson told BBC Essex.
"We've been creating chances but not converting them so I thought it was time to act.
"He's one of those players who operates well in the danger area and I'm pleased to have him on board."
Cureton moved to the County Ground in the summer after being released by QPR, but has only started six games for the Robins, and has not found the net yet.