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AGRICULTURE
(01 - 09)

Agriculture employment grew 5.9% over last year adding 1369 employees. Increases were down slightly from the last two years when about 1800 employees were added. Most of the growth this year occurred in the Balance of State. Balance of State added 1279 employees, about 94% of the total industry growth. Although activity within Metro Denver was mixed overall it added a mere 90 employees.

Agri Prod-Crops added 332 employees. Increases this year were slow compared to 1994 and 1993 when more than 400 employees were added. Horticulture Specialties, which covers greenhouses and nurseries, reflected the largest subsector increase, though less than 1993 and 1994. Employment increases this year were 149 compared to 276 last year and 185 the previous year. Weld county registered the largest gain in Agri Prod-Crops and Adams county the largest loss. In January about 200 employees were reclassified from Adams to Weld county causing most of the change in both counties.

Employment in Agri Prod-Livestock rose 112. Hog production generated most of the growth adding 85 employees. Prowers and Yuma county reported the largest gains. Gains in Prowers, up 141, included about 100 employees reclassified here in January from another county.

About 65% of the industry’s growth occurred in Agriculture Services; employment grew by 897. Continued demand for lawn and garden care generated 565 new workers. Farm Labor added 250 employees and Veterinary Services 183. Growth was strongest in Jefferson, El Paso, Arapahoe, Douglas and Weld counties.

 19911992199319941995
Statewide18,66419,68621,52123,39624,765
Metro Denver6,0156,3367,0827,9328,022
Bal. of State12,64913,35014,43915,46416,743

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Annual Average 1995