Employment in Government typically advanced adding 10,035 employees over the previous quarter for a gain of 3.3%. Local Government incurred the largest increase up 10,201 employees. A full quarter of school following the end of summer break contributed significantly by adding 15,197 employees in Education. The large gains were offset by seasonal declines in General Government, which dropped by 3277 employees. Declines in General Government were the result of seasonal cutbacks in staffing as summer recreation and maintenance activities ceased. State Government grew by 620 employees. Education added 1345 employees due to school returning to session. Justice, Public Order & Safety added 162 due to expansions in the Judicial Department and at the new Sterling prison. Seasonal layoffs of 800 occurred at State parks and for agriculture programs. Federal Government employment declined by 787. Seasonal cutbacks occurred in the National Park Service, and Bureau of Land Management. Reporting corrections dropping approximately 200 volunteers with the National Civilian Community Corp also effected declining employment. The addition of 54 for the Census and 584 for the postal service Christmas rush offset losses in Federal Government.
ANNUAL
Annually, Government employment grew 1.7% adding 5380 employees. Local government encountered the largest increase in employment gaining 4298 over a year ago. Education and General Government generated the majority of new employment rising by 1681 and 1876, respectively. Increasing school population and constituency has created a greater need for services. Health Services added 408 employees as employees were transferred from one government entity to its hospital. An increase of 123 was reported in Transportation. About 25 of the increase incurred when an ambulance company was taken over from private operation in July. State Government rose by 1842 employees. Education gained 1007 employees and Justice, Public Order & Safety gained 778. Growth in Justice, Public Order & Safety was dominated by the opening of a new prison in Logan County generating 441 new employees. Employment in Federal Government declined over a year ago dropping by 760 employees. Seasonal hiring for the Christmas rush did not match the level of a year ago resulting in a decline of almost 500. Reporting corrections for the National Civilian Community Corp caused a drop of 123 and 111 less intermittent Census workers worked.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1999
