Employment in Government fell from last quarter dropping by 10,740 and 3.3%. Losses were seasonal but compounded by non-seasonal factors. All three factions of Government lost employment over the quarter. The largest loss occurred in Local government, down 8284 employees. School closures for summer break subtracted 11,707 employees. Seasonal hiring by municipalities for summer maintenance and recreation activities helped offset losses. The General government classification within Local government reported an increase of 2530 employees. Amusement & Recreation Services reported a gain of 653. Federal government experienced an atypical employment decline of 2018 brought about by the completion of the 2000 Census. Census losses of about 2500 were offset by seasonal gains in National Parks, Sports Fish & Wildlife, and Farm Service. State government employment fell by 414. Education employment seasonally fell by 936 for summer recess. Seasonal hiring for the Colorado State Fair and for the Department of Natural Resources, who operate state parks and recreation areas, offset losses.
ANNUAL
Government employment rose 2.9% over a year ago and added 8747. Of the three government sectors Local government generated the largest portion of the increase adding 7289 employees. Expansions relative to servicing the burgeoning population caused a jump of 4500 employees in education and 1919 in general government. Medical services, specifically hospitals, gained about 275 over the year and Electric, Gas &Sanitary Services gained about 200. Gains in Electric, Gas & Sanitary Services resulted from SIC changes in January when a number of water and sanitation districts were reclassified from private. State government employment added 1254. Justice, Public Order & Safety grew by 667, as correctional institutions expanded. Education employment increased by 614 as state colleges and universities expanded staff. Federal government saw the smallest annual gain rising by only 204 employees. Clean up of Census collection left a number of employees on the rolls causing an increase of about 725 this year. This gain was negated by cutbacks in Land, Mineral, Wildlife & Forest Conservation; National Security and Human Resources.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 2000
