COLORADO EMPLOYMENT SITUATION February 2010

Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate rose three-tenths of one percentage point to 7.7 percent in February, according to Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “Moderate fluctuations in the labor market are expected through the first part of the year as we put 2009 behind us,” noted Mares. Last February the unemployment rate was 7.3 percent.


The number of working Coloradans declined 3,300 over the month to 2,448,800 out of a civilian labor force of 2,647,700. The number of residents unsuccessfully looking for work increased 6,500 over the month to 202,900. Last February, total employment was 2,535,300, the civilian labor force was 2,734,200 and the number of unemployed was 198,900. Total employment has declined 90,500 since February 2009.

The unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 30 of Colorado’s 64 counties, declined in 22 and remained unchanged in 12. The lowest rate was 3.4 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 18.7 percent in Dolores County. In February 2009, the unemployment rate increased in 60 counties, declined in two and was unchanged in two. Last year, the lowest rate was 3.4 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 13.3 percent in Dolores County.