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:                July 20, 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

June 2010

 

Labor Force[i]

 

Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained unchanged at 8.0 percent in June, according to Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “This month we saw anticipated cuts in Census jobs and some cuts in local government, but we have also seen stronger hiring in the private sector,” Mares said. “Job gains occurred across a broader array of industries than has been seen in several months,” he continued. Last June, the unemployment rate was 8.3 percent.

 

The number of working Coloradans decreased 7,100 over the month to 2,449,600. The civilian labor force declined 6,900 to 2,663,700. The number of residents unsuccessfully looking for work increased 200 over the month to 214,100. One year ago, total employment was 2,493,800 and the number of unemployed was 224,500. Total employment has declined 44,200 since June 2009.

 

The unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 45 of Colorado’s 64 counties, declined in 17 and was unchanged in 2. The lowest rate was 2.6 percent in Hinsdale County and the highest was 15.4 percent in Dolores County. In June 2009, the unemployment rate increased in 41 counties, decreased in 21 and remained unchanged in 2. Last year, the lowest rate was 3.1 percent in Hinsdale County and the highest was 14.4 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 decreased 1,800 in May to 2,205,000.

 

Employment increased in six of Colorado’s eleven major industry sectors over the month. Leisure and hospitality employment increased 4,000 in June. Education and health services added 1,500 jobs. Trade, transportation and utilities added 1,100 jobs, exhibiting growth across all the sectors. Professional and business services added 300 positions. Financial activities and mining and logging each increased 200. Construction posted a second consecutive month without a decline for the first time in three years. Government employment declined 8,600, due primarily to the drop in Census 2010 field activities. Other services and information each declined 200, while manufacturing decreased 100.

 

Nonfarm payroll employment decreased 1.4 percent over the year, or 31,200, from the June 2009 level of 2,236,200.

 

Employment in three of Colorado’s eleven major industry sectors increased over the year. Employment in education and health services increased 6,300, government 2,700, and other services 1,100. The remaining eight industry sectors all declined over the year. Construction, down 17,600, experienced the largest decline of all industry sectors. Trade, transportation, and utilities declined 6,600, manufacturing 5,300 and information 3,900. Other losses included financial activities (3,200), professional and business services (2,500), leisure and hospitality (1,300), and mining and logging (900).

 

National[iii]

 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the unemployment rate decreased to 9.5 percent due to a decline in labor force participation. Nonfarm payroll 
employment declined 125,000 in June, reflecting a reduction of 225,000 temporary employees working on Census 2010. Private-sector employment increased 
83,000 due to increases in temporary help services, manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, and health care.

[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/