Colorado Employment Situation – August 2012

Nonfarm payroll jobs were unchanged from July to August at 2,293,300 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased 1,700 and government increased 1,700. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate decreased one tenth of one percentage point over the month to 8.2 percent. The decrease in the unemployment rate was caused by a larger decline in the number of people actively participating in the labor force than the decline in those reporting their status as employed. The national unemployment rate decreased two tenths of one percentage point over the same period to 8.1 percent. The last time the Colorado unemployment rate was higher than that of the nation was September 2005. 

The largest over the month private sector job gains were in financial activities and professional and business services. The largest over the month declines were in trade, transportation and utilities and leisure and hospitality.  Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 33,300. Private sector payroll jobs increased 31,300 and government increased 2,000. 

The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, construction, and financial activities. The only significant decline in private sector payroll jobs was in information. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined one tenth of one percentage point from 8.3 percent in August 2011. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 2,600, total employment increased 3,300 and the number of unemployed decreased 700.  The national unemployment rate declined from 9.1 percent in August 2011 to 8.1 percent in August 2012. 

Southeast Colorado Unemployment figures are not seasonally adjusted. 

                        August 2012    Unemployed    July 2012         August 2011 

Baca                      3.4                    95                    3.6                   3.4
Bent                      7.3                   193                    7.5                   6.6
Kiowa                   2.9                     34                    3.4                  3.3
Kit Carson            4.3                   217                    4.5                  4.3
Las Animas         11.5                   926                  10.9                  9.4
Crowley              10.5                    192                  10.1                  7.9
Otero                    9.1                     866                   9.5                  8.8
Prowers                6.0                    433                   6.8                  5.4