Little Change in S.E. CO Job Market

Nonfarm payroll jobs in Colorado declined by 3,900 from August to September to 2,240,500 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Government added 1,100 payroll jobs and the private sector lost 5,000.

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.3 percent. The number of people actively participating in the labor force increased 8,300 to 2,680,900 and total employment increased 13,400 to 2,458,700 causing the number of unemployed to decline 5,000. The national unemployment rate also was unchanged over the same period at 9.1 percent. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 23,100 with an increase of 24,600 in the private sector and a decline of 1,500 in government. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality, education and health services, and trade, transportation and utilities. The largest declines were in construction, financial activities and information. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate is down one half of one percentage point from 8.8 percent in September 2010. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 5,600, total employment increased 20,100 and the number of unemployed decreased 14,500. The national unemployment rate declined from 9.6 to 9.1 percent from August 2010 to 2011. 

The Unemployment Percentages for Southeast Colorado are as follows: 

                                                September 2011               August 2011       September 2010 

Baca                                                      3.6                                      3.5                          3.8
Bent                                                       7.2                                      7.3                          7.1
Kiowa                                                    3.9                                      3.9                          4.2
Kit Carson                                            4.3                                      4.5                          4.2
Las Animas                                          8.0                                       8.4                          8.4
Crowley                                                8.1                                       8.2                          9.9
Otero                                                     8.0                                      8.5                          7.7
Prowers                                                5.8                                      5.8                          5.8