Southeast CO Unemployment Figures

Colorado Jobs Update from Department of Labor & Employment 

Nonfarm payroll jobs decreased 5,000 from April to May to 2,353,600 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased 4,900 and government decreased 100. 

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.9 percent. The number of people participating in the labor force increased 7,800 from April to May and the number of people reporting themselves as employed (total employment) increased 9,000. The larger increase in total employment than in the labor force caused the number of unemployed to decline 1,200. However, due to rounding, the unemployment rate remained unchanged. The national unemployment rate increased one tenth of a percentage point over the month to 7.6 percent. 

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 34.6 to 34.7 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $24.48 to $25.46. 

At the industry sector level there were no significant over the month job gains in May. The largest over the month declines were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and education and health services. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 52,400. Private sector payroll jobs increased 49,500 and government increased 2,900. The largest private sector job gains were in professional and business services, leisure and hospitality, and education and health services. There were no significant over the year declines. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined one and three tenths of a percentage point from 8.2 percent in May 2012. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 31,200, total employment increased 65,000 and the number of unemployed decreased 33,700. The national unemployment rate declined from 8.2 percent in May 2012 to 7.6 percent in May 2013. 

The unemployment percentages for southeastern Colorado counties follow:

                        May 2013             Unemp                 April 2013            May 2012             Unemp 

Baca                    3.5                          84                           3.5                          3.6                     91
Bent                    7.6                        174                           7.4                          7.6                    183
Kiowa                  3.4                          33                           3.6                          3.5                     37
Kit Carson           3.8                         180                          3.7                          4.6                    218
Las Animas         9.6                         746                        10.1                          9.6                    765
Crowley              8.3                         138                          8.1                          9.8                     169
Otero                   9.0                         810                          9.0                          9.2                    843
Prowers               5.2                        357                           5.3                         5.9                     414