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County unemployment rises to 4.6 percent

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Archuleta County’s unemployment rate rose two-tenths of a percentage point in November to reach 4.6 percent, according to a report released by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) on Dec. 20.

That figure represents a slight increase from October’s rate of 4.4 percent, according to the report, as well as an increase from November 2023, when the county’s unemployment rate was 3.2 percent.

The county’s rate was also higher than the state average, which rose to 4.3 percent in November with about 139,300 individuals unemployed across the state, according to the CDLE’s survey of households.

The labor force in Archuleta County numbered 6,634 in November, according to the report, down from 6,769 in October.

A map of the state included in the report shows Huerfano County with the highest unemployment rate in November at 7.1 percent, followed by San Miguel County at 6.8 percent, Las Animas at 6.7 percent and Freemont County at 6.6 percent.

Additional increases in unemployment rates were seen across the southwest region, according to the report, with La Plata County at a rate of 4.1 percent, Hinsdale County at 4.4 percent, Mineral County a rate of 5 percent and Conejos County at 4.8 percent.

At the state level, “The number of individuals employed in Colorado decreased by 4,900 in November to 3,114,000, which represents 65.0 percent of the state’s 16+ population,” the release states. “The national unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.2 percent from October to November.”

Employers in Colorado lost 3,900 nonfarm payroll jobs during that same time period for a total of 3,011,000 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private-sector payroll jobs decreased by 5,500, while the government added 1,600 jobs.

Nonfarm payroll jobs measure the number of workers excluding farmers.

According to the CDLE, the only private-industry sector with significant job gains over the month was education and health services with about 1,100.

In contrast, private-industry sectors with significant over-the-month job losses were:

• Professional and business services at about 3,500; and

• Trade, transportation, and utilities at about 2,300.

“Since November 2023,” the press release states, “nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 52,900, with the private sector growing by 35,100 and government adding 17,800 jobs.”

Over the course of the year, the largest private-sector jobs gains were found in:

• Education and health services at about 12,300;

• Leisure and hospitality at about 7,000;

• Construction at about 6,200;

• Financial activities at about 4,100; and

• Trade, transportation, and utilities at about 3,400.

During that same period, the press release states, payroll jobs declined in:

• Information, with about 3,500 fewer jobs; and

• Manufacturing, with about 500 fewer.

The press release notes that Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 1.8 percent, above the U.S. rate of 1.4 percent.

“Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls decreased from 33.3 to 32.8 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $36.82 to $39.20, three dollars and fifty-nine cents more than the national average hourly earnings of $35.61,” the report states.

The December 2024 Colorado Employment Situation report will be released Jan. 27, 2025, according to the CDLE.

garrett@pagosasun.com