Employment in the Government sector rose 4.2% adding 12,180 employees. Local government reported the strongest quarterly gain maintaining about 95% of Government growth. Employment increases in Local Government up 11,462 were primarily seasonal. Back-to-school added 16,417 employees while the end of summer recreation programs and maintenance & landscape maintenance dropped 1532 and 3409 employees, respectively, from municipal payrolls. Over the quarter State government added 812 employees. Schools back in session added 1527 employees and prison expansions added 262. Seasonal decreases occurred with the closing of the State Fair and layoffs at State Parks. Federal government employment dropped by 54. Seasonal cutbacks at the Forest Service generated a loss of over 700. Postal service hiring for the Christmas rush, up by 838, offset some of the losses in Federal government.
ANNUAL
Government gained 5213 employees over a year ago rising 1.7%. Local government was the only entity to show any positive activity over the year gaining 5323 employees. More than half of its growth occurred in education as school districts, mainly in Metro Denver, increased staff. Some growth also occurred in general government as many municipalities added workers to accommodate the provision of services to the increasing Colorado populace. State schools dropped 563 employees over fourth quarter a year ago as a result of a change in the method of counting employees at the Boulder Campus of the University of Colorado. The opening of a new youth detention facility and expansion at the prison in Fremont County offset losses causing State government to record a mere gain of 11 employees over a year ago. Federal government declined by 121 employees. Large cutbacks occurred at the Air Force Academy and Fitzsimmons Army Hospital.
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