CONSTRUCTION

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(15 - 17)

Employment change from last quarter	- 4.0
Employment change from year ago	+12.6
Wage change from year ago	+18.4

QUARTERLY

Construction employment declined dropping 4.0% and losing 5513 employees over the quarter. Losses were typical for this time of year with inclement weather hampering building activity. Heavy Construction (16) suffered the largest loss dropping by 2425 employees. Construction of a gas pipeline along the west slope of Colorado that began in third quarter of 1998 wrapped up in January causing about half of the loss in this sector. Special Trade (17) seasonally fell by 2152 employees. Cement Work and Painting & Paper Hanging reported the largest losses each dropping by more than 600. Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting & Plastering reported an atypical loss of 381. High demand through second and third quarter for drywall and insulation work abated going into fourth quarter and continued into this quarter resulting in losses. Employment in General Building (15) declined by 936. Residential Building fell by 634. Approximately 200 of the loss was due to a SIC change to Special Trade. Nonresidential Building employment fell by 347. Losses were slightly higher than the same time a year ago when the sector lost 122.
ANNUAL

In terms of percent the Construction industry reported the highest annual employment increase at 12.6%. In numbers Construction growth ranked second following the Services industry with 14,957 new employees. Extremely low interest rates have pressured home building, remodeling and commercial and industrial projects around the state. Special Trade (17) reported the strongest sector increase up 9673 employees. Electric Work sparked the largest gain within the sector adding 2197. Plumbing, Heating & Air-Conditioning gained 1710 employees annually followed by Misc Special Trade Contractors up 1520. More than half of the gain in Misc Special Trade Contractors occurred from growth in excavation work and foundation digging. General Building (15) added 2634 employees. Increases in Residential Building were very strong up 1634 employees. Nonresidential Building added 693. Employment in Heavy Construction (16) rose by 2650. More than half of the annual expansion occurred in Water, Sewer, Pipeline & Communications & Power Line Construction.

1998 SIC CHANGES

Construction added approximately 284 employees and $2,808,268 in quarterly payroll as a result of reclassification.

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 1999