GOVERNMENT

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Employment change from last quarter	- 0.4
Employment change from year ago	+ 2.2
Wage change from year ago	+ 3.7

QUARTERLY

Since last quarter employment in the Government sector dropped by 1222 employees for a loss of 0.4%. Losses were typical for this quarter, the main result of seasonal cutbacks. Federal and State government employment fell, losing 1041 and 258 employees, respectively. Local government added 78 over the quarter. Losses in Federal government resulted from large cutbacks in a number of areas. Following the Christmas season rush the postal service laid off 500. Seasonal layoffs starting in November for National Park Service and Natural Resources subtracted about 400. Closure of Fitzsimmons Hospital continued with a drop of about 40 this quarter. Losses in State government occurred primarily in schools, down 423, due to the winter recess. Employment in Natural Resources fell by about 80 as a result of seasonal layoffs starting late last quarter. Some gains were realized in Corrections due to staff expansions and General Government due to increased and returning staff for the General Assembly. The largest changes within Local government were the addition of 897 in schools and the seasonal loss of 628 in General Government.
ANNUAL

Annually, Government employment rose 2.2% adding 6796 employees. Local government added 4008 employees about 75% of the total growth. Staffing expansions in education generated more than half of the increase adding 2518. Growth was equally divided between Metro Denver and the Balance of State. Population growth has created increased demand for services causing municipalities to expand staff adding 1386 employees to General Government within Local government. Since a year ago State government grew by 1698 employees. Correctional institutions added almost 500 with its strongest increases in Denver, Pueblo, Fremont and Logan counties. State Education added 673 employees. Growth was strongest in the community college system. Federal government employment barely rose adding 91 employees. The postal service saw large gains over the year adding 929 employees with most growth in Denver and El Paso counties. Gains were offset by losses of 413, which permeated Defense. Cutbacks at VA centers and Fitzsimmons hospital dropped another 195 from Federal employment rolls.

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 1999