PRESS RELEASE

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment • 633 17th Street, Suite 1200 • Denver, CO 80202 • (303) 318-8004 • Fax: (303) 318-8070

 

For Immediate Release

 

Date:                June 18, 2010/ 9:00 A.M.

Contact:            Office of Government and Public Relations

Phone:              (303) 318-8004

Fax:                  (303) 318-8070

Web:                http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/

 

COLORADO EMPLOYMENT SITUATION

May 2010

 

Labor Force[i]

 

Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.0 percent in May, according to Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “While Census hiring is providing a brief boost in Colorado jobs and our unemployment rate is lower than this time last year, the labor market remains weak,” Mares said. Last May, the unemployment rate was 8.2 percent.

 

The number of working Coloradans increased 1,100 over the month to 2,456,900. The civilian labor force increased 1,600 to 2,670,700. The number of residents unsuccessfully looking for work increased 500 over the month to 213,800. One year ago, total employment was 2,503,400 and the number of unemployed was 225,000. Total employment has declined 46,500 since May 2009.

 

The unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) declined in 51 of Colorado’s 64 counties, rose in 8 and was unchanged in 5. The lowest rate was 3.1 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 16.1 percent in Dolores County. In May 2009, the unemployment rate increased in 46 counties, decreased in 10 and remained unchanged in 8. Last year, the lowest rate was 3.4 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 15.6 percent in Dolores County.

 

Wage and Salary Employment[ii]

 

The monthly survey of Colorado business establishments indicates the number of nonfarm wage and salary jobs increased 4,900 in May to 2,206,500.

 

Employment increased in three of Colorado’s eleven major industry sectors over the month. Government employment increased 7,800 in May; 7,600 of these jobs are temporary Census positions within the Federal Government. Construction added 1,500 jobs due to greater than normal seasonal hiring and other services increased by 800. Employment in trade, transportation and utilities declined by 1,600 exhibiting weakness across all sectors. Financial activities and information declined 1,100 and 1,000, respectively. Other losses included leisure and hospitality (700), manufacturing (500), and professional and business services (300). Mining and logging, along with education and health services were essentially unchanged. 

 

Nonfarm payroll employment decreased 1.9 percent over the year, or 43,200, from the May 2009 level of 2,249,700.

 

Employment in three of Colorado’s eleven major industry sectors increased over the year. Government payrolls gained 11,000, education and health services increased 3,800 and other services added 1,000 jobs. The remaining eight industry sectors all declined over the year. Construction, down 19,200, experienced the largest decline of all industry sectors. Trade, transportation, and utilities declined 10,200, manufacturing 6,900 and leisure and hospitality 6,400. Other losses included professional and business services (5,800), information (4,400), financial activities (4,300) and mining and logging (1,800).

 

National[iii]


The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate decreased to 9.7 percent due to a decline in labor force participation. Nonfarm payroll 
employment increased 431,000 in May, reflecting the hiring of 411,000 temporary employees to work on the 2010 Census. Employment also increased in 
manufacturing, temporary help services, and mining.

[i] Labor force estimates are calculated from the household survey results, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Local Area Unemployment Statistics methods. The unadjusted statewide and county level estimates are available at the following link: http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/gsipub/index.asp?docid=363

 

[ii] Wage and salary employment estimates are calculated from the establishment survey results, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics Current Employment Statistics methods. The statewide adjusted and unadjusted, and the unadjusted MSA estimates are available at the following link:

http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/gsipub/index.asp?docid=364

 

[iii] The Bureau of Labor Statistics homepage is available at the following link: http://www.bls.gov/