Employment in Government fell imperceptibly 0.0% losing only 112 over the quarter. Changes, however, within the various types of government were quite varied. Employment in State government fell by 516. The opening of the 2000 legislative session added about 125 employees for staffing to legislators. Increased employment within the Judicial Department and Public Defenders Office added another 150 employees. These gains in State government staffing were cancelled by seasonal losses in Education as schools closed for winter break. Education employment fell by 687. Seasonal decreases in the Department of Natural Resources also exerted its influence in declining State government employment. Local government gained 247 employees. Employment in Education added 436. Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services added 177 due to the reclassification of about 30 accounts from private ownership. Recreation and General Government reported seasonal losses of 137 and 266, respectively. Federal government employment rose by 157. Hiring for undertaking of the 2000 Census added 936. Seasonal losses of 430 in agriculture related programs, 166 in the Postal Service following the Christmas rush and 155 for the National Park Service cut into the positive gain. ANNUAL
Annually, Government employment grew by 2.1% adding 6490 employees. The bulk of growth occurred in Local government up 4467 employees. General government staff expansions, due to increased demands upon municipalities, accounted for half of the growth incurred in Local government. Staffing in schools increased adding 1226 employees with most new employment occurring in the Balance of State. Employment in State government rose by 1584. Growth was split between Justice, Public Order & Safety up 766 and Education up 743. The opening of a new prison in Sterling accompanied by expansions at facilities statewide generated most of the additions in Justice, Public Order & Safety. Gains in Education predominated at the Junior Colleges & Technical Institutes level, up 434, with some help from the ownership change of Colorado Northwestern Community College from Local government. Federal government rose by 436 over last year first quarter. Losses of 205 in Human Resource Programs resulted from dropping employment in the National Civilian Community Corp as workers are paid stipends and not truly considered employed. Land, Mineral, Wildlife & Forest Conservation experienced cutbacks, down 183. Census hiring overshadowed all else adding 936 employees, causing an overall Federal gain.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 2000
