Archuleta County’s unemployment rate ticked up to 5.1 percent in January and 5.4 percent in February from 4.4 percent in December 2024, according to recent reports from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).
January employment situation
Archuleta County’s rate of 5.1 percent in January compares to 4.3 percent in January 2024, according to the January report.
Colorado’s unemployment rate for January was 4.7 percent, up from the revised rate of 4.6 percent in December 2024.
“The number of unemployed individuals grew by 2,600 over the same time period to 152,800,” the report states. “The national unemployment rate decreased one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.0 percent from December to January.”
In Archuleta County, the labor force numbered 6,767 in January, down from 6,870 in December 2024.
The unemployment data shows Costilla County with the state’s highest unemployment rate in January at 9.4 percent. Huerfano County follows at 9.0 percent, with Las Animas at 8.1 percent.
Regionally, the data shows La Plata County with a 5.1 percent unemployment rate in January, San Juan County at 4.3 percent, Mineral County at 6.6 percent, Rio Grande County at 6.6 percent and Conejos County at 5.5 percent.
At the state level, the report explains, “The number of individuals employed in Colorado increased by 2,200 in January to 3,131,800, which represents 64.8 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 64.8 in January was unchanged compared to the December rate.”
It adds, “The national employment-population ratio increased one-tenth of a percentage point in January to 60.1 percent.”
Employers in Colorado added 500 nonfarm payroll jobs from December 2024 to January for a total of 2,977,600 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments and the CDLE’s February report. Private-sector payroll jobs grew by 1,800, while government rose by 2,100 jobs.
Nonfarm payroll jobs measure the number of workers excluding farmers and are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies. The estimates are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed.
“The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions,” the report explains. “Because the estimates are based on two separate surveys, one measuring jobs by worksite and the other measuring persons employed and unemployed by household, estimates based on these surveys may provide seemingly conflicting results.”
According to the CDLE, private-industry sectors with significant job gains in January were educational and health services at about 2,500, professional and business services at about 1,100 and manufacturing at about 1,100.
Significant over-the-month private-sector job loss occurred in construction at about 2,400, and leisure and hospitality at about 1,000.
“Since January 2024, the report states, “nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 22,600, with the private sector growing by 7,600 and government adding 15,000 jobs.”
The largest private-sector job gains were in educational and health services at about 5,900; trade, transportation and utilities at about 4,400; leisure and hospitality at about 3,400; and manufacturing at about 1,400.
During that same period, payroll job declines were seen in professional and business services at about 4,000, information at about 3,200 and financial activities at about 2,000.
Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 0.8 percent, behind the U.S. rate of 1.3 percent.
The report also notes the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls declined from 32.7 to 32.6 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $37.42 to $39.80 — $3.93 more than the national average hourly earnings of $35.87.
February employment situation
Archuleta County’s rate of 5.4 percent in February compares to 4.6 percent in February 2024.
Colorado’s unemployment rate remained at 4.7 percent for the month, though the CDLE notes that there was strike activity at a major grocery company that lasted for the duration of the February reference week.
It adds, “These workers are not counted in payroll job estimates in the establishment survey for February.”
According to the survey of households, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 2,500 to 155,300 from January to February.
The national unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 4.1 percent from January to February, the report states.
In Archuleta County, the labor force numbered 6,731.
Costilla County continued to have the highest unemployment rate in the state in February at 9.6 percent, with Huerfano following at 9.1 percent.
Regionally, the data shows La Plata County with a 5.3 percent unemployment rate in February, San Juan County at 5.6 percent, Mineral County at 7.0 percent, Rio Grande County at 6.5 percent and Conejos County at 5.7 percent.
“The number of individuals employed in Colorado decreased by 4,000 in February to 3,127,800, which represents 64.7 percent of the state’s 16+ population,” the report states. “Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 64.7 in February decreased one-tenth of a percentage point from the month prior. The national employment-population ratio decreased two-tenths of a percentage point to 59.9 percent from January to February.”
Employers in Colorado lost 8,900 nonfarm payroll jobs from January to February for a total of 2,968,700 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private-sector payroll jobs decreased by 10,300, while government added 1,400 jobs.
The private-industry sector with significant over-the-month job gains in February was education and health services at about 1,100.
The private-industry sectors with significant over-the-month job losses were trade, transportation and utilities at about 11,000, and other services at about 1,000.
The report explains, “Strike activity at a major retail grocery company in the Denver, Boulder, and Pueblo Metropolitan Statistical Areas contributed to the declines in trade, transportation, and utilities in February.”
Since February 2024, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 500, with the private sector declining by 14,700 and government adding 15,200 jobs.
The largest private-sector job gains were in educational and health services at about 4,800, and leisure and hospitality at about 4,400.
During that same period, payroll jobs declined in professional and business services by about 9,100; trade, transportation and utilities by about 8,500; information by about 2,600; construction by about 1,900; and financial activities by about 1,500.
“Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 0.0 percent, below the U.S. rate of 1.2 percent,” it notes.
Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 33.0 to 33.4 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $37.42 to $40.31 — $4.38 more than the national average hourly earnings of $35.93.
randi@pagosasun.com
