Services employment was typical for this time of year gaining 1868 employees over last quarter up 0.3%. The end of the tourist season causes October and November employment to drop in Hotel & Lodging (70) and rise in December with the advent of the ski season. Hotel & Lodging (70) reported a quarterly decline of 4636 employees. Amusement & Recreation Services (79) similarly effected by seasonality dropped 1254 employees. Gains were noted in Business Services (73) up 2293 employees. Gains were driven by increased demand for computer software analysis and support. Health Services (80) added 2105 employees. About one third of the increase was located in hospitals due to temporary demand for more staff. Some gains also occurred in nursing homes and home health care. Engineering Services (87) added 1459 employees. The largest share of growth occurred in the subsector which contains consultants and management services. Also, seasonal gains were seen as tax firms expanded staff in anticipation of the upcoming tax season.
ANNUAL
Services retained its standing as leader in employment growth having added 29,300 employees over the year for a healthy increase of 5.7%. Just about half of its growth occurred in Business Services (73) which gained 14,528 employees. Expansions in computer services, telemarketing and temporary help contributed to the increase as many firms move toward outsourcing of various business functions. The second largest increase occurred in Health Services (80) up 4044 employees. Offices of M.D.’s and home health care services generated the bulk of the gain. The third largest growing sector within Services was Engineering Services (87) with a gain of 2431 employees. Better than half of this growth resulted from increased projects in the engineering services subsector (8711). Management & Public Relations Services (874) also experienced strong increases up 806 employees. Misc Service (89) was the only sector to decline over the year losing 26 employees. Losses were almost exclusive to one employer who lost its major customer.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1996
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