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Most Northwest counties see continued declines in unemployment rates
Household survey data:

According to the survey of households, Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point in April to 3.6 percent. This marks the lowest rate since February 2020, when it was 2.8 percent. The national unemployment rate was also 3.6 percent in April, unchanged from the month prior.

Other highlights:

  • Colorado’s labor force grew by 13,600 in April to 3,225,600. The share of Coloradans participating in the labor force improved to 69.1 percent last month, the highest rate since March 2020. The state continues to experience a much faster rate of recovery in the participation rate than the U.S.

  • The number of individuals employed in Colorado increased by 15,400 in April to 3,108,800, which represents 66.6 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-to-population ratio has surpassed the pre-pandemic, February 2020 level, when it was 66.5 percent.

  • The Colorado counties with the highest unemployment rates in April were: Huerfano (6.1%), Pueblo (5.1%), Fremont (4.8%), Las Animas (4.7%), and Rio Grande (4.5%). County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted and are directly comparable to Colorado’s April unadjusted rate of 3.1 percent.
Business survey data:

Employers in Colorado added 14,600 nonfarm payroll jobs from March to April for a total of 2,848,600 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs increased 15,100 and government shed 500 jobs.

Over the past two years, Colorado has added 403,500 nonfarm payroll jobs, compared to losses totaling 374,500 in March and April 2020. That translates to a job recovery rate of 107.7 percent, which exceeds the U.S. rate of 94.6 percent.

Since May 2020, Colorado’s private sector has grown by 407,600 jobs, compared to declines of 358,800 in early 2020. That translates to a job recovery rate of 113.6 percent and outpaces the U.S. rate of 97.6 percent.

Other highlights:

  • March estimates were revised down to 2,834,000, and the over the month change from February to March was a gain of 5,300 rather than the originally estimated increase of 5,800 (monthly revisions are based on additional responses from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates).

  • Private industry sectors with significant job gains in April were: leisure and hospitality (~6,400), trade, transportation, and utilities (~3,200), professional and business services (~3,000), construction (~1,900), and education and health services (~1,100). There were no industries with significant over the month declines.

  • Since April 2021, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 129,000, with the private sector growing by 121,900 and government adding 7,100 jobs. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality (~44,900), professional and business services (~31,000), and trade, transportation, and utilities (~17,900). No industry experienced job loss during that same period. Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 4.7 percent, which marginally exceeds the U.S. rate of 4.6 percent.

  • Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 33.5 to 33.3 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $31.23 to $34.34, nearly two dollars and fifty cents more than the national average hourly earnings of $31.85.
Upcoming free events to cover business-critical info:
Northwest Workforce Area Employment Law Update
9:30 - 11 a.m., June 28
Family and Medical Leave Insurance program
9:30 - 11 a.m., July 19
Northwest Workforce Region Business Services team
Your business services staff, Chris, Mark and Carolyn, are highly trained, resourceful, out-of-the-box thinkers dedicated to businesses, community and economic development. We believe that thriving local economies are the best foundations for businesses to succeed, and that strong businesses contribute to thriving economies and meaningful employment. Our number one goal is to support businesses in attracting and retaining the talent they need to grow and thrive.

Our staff are experts in local labor markets and look forward to helping you with your workforce needs. Contact us to learn more about tailored services and resources to support your business.
Christina Oxley
Rio Blanco, Moffat, Routt,
Grand and Jackson counties
970.620.1690
Mark Hoblitzell
East Eagle, Summit
and Lake counties
970.880.4092
Carolyn Tucker
Garfield, Pitkin and
West Eagle counties
Northwest Colorado Workforce Center offices
If you have a question about unemployment, please contact them directly at 1-800-388-5515. Workforce centers are no longer able to assist with unemployment insurance questions or claims. 
CRAIG
Moffat County
970.824.3246
EDWARDS
East Eagle County
970.926.4440
LEADVILLE
Lake County
719.486.2428
MEEKER
Rio Blanco County
970.878.4211
FRISCO
Grand, Jackson
and Summit counties
970.668.5361
GLENWOOD SPRINGS
Garfield, Pitkin and
West Eagle counties
970.945.8638
STEAMBOAT
SPRINGS
Routt County
970.879.3075