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THIRD QUARTER 1995 IN REVIEW
ALL INDUSTRIES

Employment change from last quarter+ 1.6
Employment change from year ago+ 4.2
Wage change from year ago+ 6.0


Colorado employment at 1,833,045 is up 73,244 over a year ago and 28,610 over last quarter. Annually, on a percentage basis, TCPU shows the largest gain due to a large SIC change occurring in January. Review of actual employment numbers shows Services, up about 28,000, and Retail, up about 20,000, to be the largest employment gaining industries. Increased use of temporary help and the perception of Colorado as an undersaturated retail market has helped these industries grow. Mining was the only industry to see a decline over the year. Slowed drilling activity hampered its growth.

This quarter Colorado saw the height of the growing and vacation season. Percent increases in Agriculture reflect its seasonal high as does the increase in Construction. In employees, however, Services and Retail had the largest growth each up better than 10,000. The use of temporary help for summer fill-ins, guard services, computer services and the outsourcing of staff created the demand in the Services industry. Back-to-school retail staffing, tourist shopping and the expansion of chain stores in Colorado contributed to the gain in Retail Trade. Government reflected the quarter’s only loss. Despite summer hiring for recreation and maintenance projects the cessation of school for the summer overshadows all seasonal increases.


 % EMPLOYMENT CHANGE
 QUARTERLYANNUAL
AGRICULTURE+ 15.8+ 4.9
MINING+ 3.0- 2.6
CONSTRUCTION+ 7.1+ 4.3
MANUFACTURING+ 1.4+ 0.1
TCPU+ 0.1+ 8.1
WHOLESALE+ 0.9+ 3.9
RETAIL+ 3.1+ 5.9
FIRE+ 1.4+ 1.2
SERVICES+ 2.4+ 5.8
GOVERNMENT- 3.7+ 2.0


Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 1995