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THIRD QUARTER 1996 IN REVIEW
ALL INDUSTRIES

Employment change from last quarter+ 1.5
Employment change from year ago+ 3.3
Wage change from year ago+ 8.1


Third quarter is typified by a full-blown growing season, heavy construction activity, vacationing and the cessation of school. Although not as impressive as third quarter growth the past three years, the addition of 27,422 employees since last quarter is still very positive. Agriculture reported the largest percentage increase, however, Services added the largest number of employees over the quarter. Agriculture added 4251 employees and Services jumped 11,721. Two sectors reported declining employment: Mining and Government. Mining losses were fairly minor down only 76 from last quarter. School closings and some federal cutbacks drove government employment down 11,565.

Annually, Colorado added 61,208 employees over second quarter a year ago for a gain of 3.3%. Services reported the largest gain in absolute numbers, up 27,025 employees over a year ago. Construction up 10,042 employees incurred the largest percent of growth over the year at 10.2%. While employment continues to climb, registering 1,866,831 employees, levels of growth have slowed. Lessened expansions in Retail have contributed to the slowing. Retail, having gained 8473 over a year ago, is down by about half of previous levels. Government dropped 11,565 employees. Federal cutbacks and dropping work study students from state school payrolls have also contributed to the slowing. %


 % EMPLOYMENT CHANGE
 QUARTERLYANNUAL
AGRICULTURE+15.3+ 6.4
MINING- 0.6- 10.3
CONSTRUCTION+11.1+ 10.2
MANUFACTURING+ 1.0+ 2.2
TCPU+ 0.6+ 3.2
WHOLESALE+ 1.7+ 3.2
RETAIL+ 2.7+ 2.3
FIRE+ 1.6+ 5.1
SERVICES+ 2.2+ 5.2
GOVERNMENT- 3.9- 0.3

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Third Quarter 1996