Colorado Employment Situation July 2013

Colorado Counties

According to the survey of households, the unemployment rate increased one tenth of a percentage point to 7.1 percent. The number of people participating in the labor force decreased 6,500 over the month and the number of people reporting themselves as employed decreased 7,100. The larger decline in total employment than in the labor force caused the number of unemployed to increase 600 and the unemployment rate to increase to 7.1 percent. The national unemployment rate decreased to 7.4 percent. 

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 35.6 to 34.6 hours and average hourly earnings increased from $24.72 to $25.55. 

The largest over the month private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality, trade, transportation and utilities, construction, and other services. The largest over the month decline was in government. 

Over the year, nonfarm payroll jobs increased 63,400. Private sector payroll jobs increased 60,800 and government increased 2,600. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality, professional and business services, and construction. The largest over the year decline was in financial activities. 

Over the year, the unemployment rate declined one percentage point from 8.1 percent in July 2012. The number of Coloradans participating in the labor force increased 30,400, total employment increased 56,500 and the number of unemployed decreased 26,100. The national unemployment rate declined from 8.2 percent in July 2012 to 7.4 percent in July 2013. 

The following are unemployment percentages for the counties in southeast Colorado: 

                             July 2013     Unemp            June 2013             July 2012         Unemp 

Baca                           3.7             85                        4.2                          4.1               103
Bent                           8.6           184                        8.7                          8.2               198
Kiowa                        3.9              35                       4.4                          4.0                 41
Kit Carson                 4.2           191                        4.5                         4.7                222
Las Animas              10.5          813                      11.2                       10.9                864
Crowley                      9.2          152                       9.4                        10.6                183
Otero                          9.3          834                     10.6                          9.9                916
Prowers                      6.0         396                        6.6                         7.2                 501