CONSTRUCTION

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(15 - 17)

Employment change from last quarter	- 1.5
Employment change from year ago	+13.4
Wage change from year ago	+24.3

QUARTERLY

Typically, Construction employment declines during fourth quarter due to the weather. This year was no different with employment dropping 1.5% losing 2162 workers. Losses, however, were less than usual due to the large number of workers undertaking the construction of the Trans-Colorado gas pipeline along the western edges of Colorado. Most firms involved in the project were classified in Heavy Construction (16), which lost only 424 employees compared to 1100+ in past years. It is anticipated that the project should wrap up by the end of January 1999. Employment in Special Trade (17) dropped by 1612. Seasonal reductions in Concrete Work account for about 900 of the loss in Special Trade followed by a loss of over 500 in Painting. Electric Work up 323 and Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting & Plastering up 228 were the only subsectors to increase. Much of the gain in Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting & Plastering resulted from high demand for drywall work. General Building (15) decreased by 126 employees. Losses were specific to Nonresidential Building.

ANNUAL

Large gains in employment over fourth quarter a year ago determined Construction to be the second leading industry in the state. Construction employment rose 13.4% annually adding 16,402 employees. The positive outlook on the economy and low interest rates have contributed to the strength of construction activity in Colorado. Employment in Special Trade (17) grew by 10,078. Subsectors incurring the largest gains were Electric Work up 2122; Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning up 1781; Masonry, Stonework, Tile Setting & Plastering up 1699; Misc Special Trade Contractors up 1516; and Concrete Work up 1478. Heavy Construction (16) reported exceptionally large employment increases up 3597. Work on the Trans-Colorado Pipeline, which started in third quarter of 1999 and will be completed next quarter, added approximately 1400 employees over a year ago. General Building (15) showed strength in both residential and nonresidential building. Residential Buildings added 1499 with growth divided between Denver Metro and the Balance of State. Nonresidential Buildings up 918 recorded almost 75% of its growth in Metro Denver.

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1998