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(DENVER) – Today the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced eight new appointments and three reappointments to the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC). A Governor-appointed, public-private partnership, the CWDC advises, oversees and integrates the work of the Colorado talent development network to meet the needs of employers and workers across the state.The CWDC is also excited to welcome Jonathan Liebert as its new chair."I am honored to begin my role as Chair and welcome our newest members,” said Liebert. “Their contributions will undoubtedly broaden the Council's impact, solidifying stronger connections with industry partners, local businesses, and communities statewide."Newly appointed members include:Rob Andrews of Denver to serve as a representative of workforceAndrew Bercich of Lone Tree to serve as a representative of businessAnn Cesare of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessBeth Cobert of Denver to serve as a representative of businessMarla Jones-Newman of Parker to serve as a representative of businessAnthony Lugard of Montrose to serve as a representative of businessScott Mangino of Denver to serve as a representative of businessDavid Thurow of Grand Junction to serve as a representative of businessReappointed members to serve a second term include:Seth Harvey of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessJonathan Liebert of Colorado Springs to serve as a representative of businessKarla Nugent of Lafayette to serve as a representative of business"We welcome the newest members of the CWDC and are excited for what we will accomplish together,” said Lee Wheeler-Berliner, managing director of the CWDC. “The viewpoints and connections that our new and reappointed members bring are invaluable and will enrich our work across the state, and I am eager to collaborate with each of them as we move into 2024.”The CWDC is grateful to the outgoing members (listed below) for their contributions to the state of Colorado and our communities.Ann Marie BragaDenise BurgessKevin CorySteve FechheimerDanielle KirkpatrickFrannie MatthewsHeather TerenzioLawrence WagnerAbout the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC)The vision of the CWDC is that every Colorado employer has access to a skilled workforce and every Coloradan has the opportunity for meaningful employment, resulting in individual and statewide economic prosperity. The CWDC’s mission is to enhance and sustain a skills-based talent development network that meets the needs of employers, workers, job seekers, and learners for today and tomorrow. The CWDC acts on behalf of the governor and the Colorado legislature on policy matters related to all programs and activities funded by WIOA. The Governor-appointed members serve as the state workforce investment board. The CWDC office staff support the Council, the BEL Commission, and the State Rehabilitation Council. The Council champions TalentFOUND, the Colorado talent development network, and is charged with aligning the efforts of economic development, education, workforce development, government, and business stakeholders at the local, regional, and state levels. The CWDC publishes the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report each year, which identifies the areas of growing demand and opportunity, key features of the current labor force, and strategies to balance the supply and demand equation for talent.### 

LAKEWOOD, Friday, Jan. 19, 2024 — Colorado drivers kept the Division of Motor Vehicles busy reviewing personalized license plate applications in 2023.The DMV approved over 60,000 personalized plate applications in 2023, almost doubling the amount approved in 2022.While thousands of applications were approved, plenty were rejected for being foul, lewd or rude requests. In total, the DMV reviewed and rejected over 1,000 personalized license plate configuration requests in 2023.Rejected requests for license plate configurations, such as “GYATTT,” “GTJIGGY” and “OMGWTF” were added to the offensive-omit list, which the DMV uses to automatically reject most foul, lewd or rude requests.The list features requested personalized license plates that were reviewed by DMV team members as well as terms that are automatically rejected by the DMV’s processing system, DRIVES. The system rejects some requests if they were already issued, conflicts with regularly issued configurations, any reserved for auction, and those that run afoul of the DMV’s offensive and omit list.The offensive and omit list has been built over the years using the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) recommendations, known offensive words and terms, and compared to what other states do not allow.A DMV committee periodically reviews these terms and alphanumeric combinations. Sequences can be removed from the list by committee vote or if a court ruling orders the DMV to remove and issue the configuration. A customer may appeal a personalized plate decision with the Colorado Department of Revenue’s Hearings Division.Coloradans can personalize many of the state’s 218 license plates at an additional cost of $60 on top of regular fees. Personalized license plate renewal can cost between $25 and $75, and can be completed online or at a county motor vehicle office.  

Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Increase by 300 in December;Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.4 PercentHousehold survey dataAccording to the survey of households, Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point from November to December to 3.4 percent. The number of unemployed individuals grew by 1,700 over the same time period to 109,600. The national unemployment rate was unchanged in December at 3.7 percent. Colorado’s labor force decreased by 400 in December to 3,249,300. The share of Coloradans participating in the labor force was unchanged at 68.4 percent in December, compared to the month prior. The U.S. labor force participation rate was 62.5 percent in December, shrinking three-tenths of a percentage point from the month prior. The number of individuals employed in Colorado declined by 2,100 in December to 3,139,800, which represents 66.1 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 66.1 in December is one-tenth of a percentage point lower compared to the month prior. The national employment-population ratio dropped three-tenths of a percentage point to 60.1 percent in December, compared to the November rate of 60.4 percent.Establishment survey dataEmployers in Colorado added 300 nonfarm payroll jobs from November to December for a total of 2,914,000 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased by 1,700, while government added 2,000 jobs. November estimates were revised down to 2,913,700, and the over the month change from October to November was a loss of 2,500 jobs, rather than the originally estimated decline of 700 (monthly revisions are based on additional responses from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates). The Private industry sectors with significant job loss in December were: professional and business services (≈1,500) and manufacturing (≈1,300). There were no significant over the month increases. Since December 2022, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 24,100, with the private sector growing by 1,100 and government adding 23,000 jobs. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality (≈11,900), educational and health services (≈9,800), and professional and business services (≈4,900). During that same period trade, transportation, and utilities (≈10,400), financial activities (≈8,500), construction (≈4,400), manufacturing (≈2,400), and information (≈1,800) payroll jobs declined. Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 0.8 percent, lagging the U.S. rate of 1.7 percent. Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose from 33.1 to 33.5 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $35.16 to $36.97. Colorado average hourly earnings are two dollars and seventy cents higher than national average hourly earnings of $34.27.###All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: www.colmigateway.com. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: www.bls.gov.For data visualizations, visit public.tableau.com/app/profile/cdle.lmi.The January 2024 Colorado Employment Situation will be released at 8:00 AM on Monday, March 11, 2024. Revised statewide estimates for 2023 and 2022 and some updated local information will also be released. The full schedule of release dates for calendar year 2023 estimates is available at www.colmigateway.com.###Technical NotesThis release provides information on industry employment and labor force statistics for December 2023, the most current estimates available from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The reference period for the establishment survey was the pay period that includes the 12th of the month. While the household survey’s reference period typically covers the week that includes the 12th of the month, that shifted to the week that includes the 5th of the month for December. For more information on these infrequent reference week shifts, go to www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#refweek.The unemployment rate, labor force, labor force participation, total employment, and the number of unemployed are based on a survey of households. The total employment estimate derived from this survey is intended to measure the number of people employed.Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies, and are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed. Other series based on this survey include private sector average weekly hours, average hourly earnings and average weekly earnings.The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions. 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.Resources MentionedSupplemental InformationLabor Force Summary December 2023City Report December 2023County Report December 2023December 2023 Press Release

(DENVER) – The Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program conducted by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Office of Labor Market Information (LMI), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), reveals Colorado had 89 work-related fatalities in 2022. Nationally, a total of 5,486 workers died from a work-related injury in the U.S. in 2022, a 5.7 percent increase from the 5,190 workers in 2021.The figures, available on the Bureau of Labor Statistics website, indicate work injuries involving transportation remained the most common cause of work-related deaths in Colorado in 2022. Violence and other injuries by person or animals were the second-most prevalent cause of work-related deaths. Some numbers below are not included in totals, because some data do not meet the BLS publication criteria.2022 Census ProfileMajor findings of the Census include:A total of 89 fatal occupational injuries were recorded in 2022, a 7.3 percent decrease from 96 in 2021. There were 83 work related deaths in 2022 involving wage and salary workers, down from 84 in 2021. Self-employed worker fatalities decreased from 12 in 2021 to six in 2022. Transportation incidents were the leading cause of fatalities and up from the prior year by 32.0 percent. Transportation incidents increased from 25 in 2021 to 33 in 2022 and continue to lead all fatality events for at least the last 10 years. Fatalities due to violence and other injuries by person or animals were down 21.7 percent over 2021. In 2022 there were 18 incidents and 2021 had 23 incidents. Falls, slips and trips are the third leading cause of fatalities in 2022. They accounted for 15 deaths and are down from 17 in 2021. Fatalities due to exposure to harmful substances or environments decreased 46.2 percent over 2021. In 2022 there were seven incidents and in 2021 there were 13. Contact with objects and equipment accounted for 12 work related deaths resulting in a 29.4 percent decrease from 2021 to 2022.Worker DemographicsMen accounted for 81 (91.0 percent) of the fatal work injuries, while women accounted for eight (9.0 percent). Women worker fatalities in 2022 are down from 2021. In 2022, there were eight and in 2021, there were 15. White (non-Hispanic) workers accounted for 48 (53.9 percent) of the fatalities. Black or African-American (non-Hispanic) accounts for four (4.5 percent) of the fatalities. Hispanic or Latino workers accounted for 31 (34.8 percent) of the fatalities. American Indian or Alaska Native (non-Hispanic), Asian (non-Hispanic), and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (non-Hispanic) data is suppressed or there are no incidents reported and cannot be published. Workers aged 20 to 24 saw 10 work related fatalities. Data for this age group has not been released since 2018 when there were three incidents.Chart: 2022 Number of Fatalities by AgeSource: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. Note: Data for age groups 19 years and younger are blank as there is no data reported or data does not meet publication criteria.Industry ProfileFatal injuries in Construction (19) lead in total deaths by industry, followed by Natural resources and mining (8) and Leisure and hospitality (7).Occupation ProfileTransportation incidents continue to be the leading cause of work related fatalities in the Transportation and material moving occupation. Contact with objects and equipment are the leading cause of work related fatalities in Construction and extraction occupations.Chart: Number of Fatalities by Occupational GroupSource: Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program. Note: Data that is missing for 2021 or 2022 either does not have data reported or data does not meet publication criteria. Program BackgroundIn an effort to compile data that is as complete as possible, the CFOI program uses diverse sources to identify, verify, and describe fatal work injuries. Source documents, such as death certificates, coroners’ reports, workers’ compensation claims, U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration reports, and other records are cross-referenced to gather key information about each workplace fatality, such as the particular occupation and industry in which the fatality occurred, worker demographics, equipment or machinery involved, and circumstances of the event. The CFOI program compiles the most complete, verifiable count of fatal occupational injuries in the U.S.2023 data will be publicly available in December 2024.For additional information, please visit www.bls.gov/iif/ or colmigateway.com.Resources Mentioned2023 CFOI Press Releasewww.bls.gov/iif/colmigateway.com

Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Decline by 700 in November;Unemployment Rate Remains at 3.3 PercentReminder: There will be no press call to review the November report this month. Please send any questions to: cdle_pr@state.co.us.Household survey dataAccording to the survey of households, Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was flat from October to November at 3.3 percent. The number of unemployed individuals grew by 1,900 over the same time period to 107,900. The national unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of a percentage point to 3.7 percent from October to November. Colorado’s labor force rose by 2,700 in November to 3,249,700. The share of Coloradans participating in the labor force was unchanged at 68.4 percent in November, compared to the month prior. The U.S. labor force participation rate was 62.8 percent in November, growing one-tenth of a percentage point from the month prior. The number of individuals employed in Colorado increased by 800 in November to 3,141,900, which represents 66.2 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 66.2 in November was unchanged from the month prior. The national employment-population ratio climbed three-tenths of a percentage point to 60.5 percent in November, compared to the October rate of 60.2 percent.Establishment survey dataEmployers in Colorado shed 700 nonfarm payroll jobs from October to November for a total of 2,915,500 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased by 2,100, while government added 1,400 jobs. October estimates were revised down to 2,916,200, and there was no change over the month from September to October, rather than the originally estimated increase of 1,500 (monthly revisions are based on additional responses from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates). The Private industry sector with significant job gains in November was: other services (≈900). Significant over the month private sector job loss occurred in manufacturing (≈1,600) and trade, transportation, and utilities (≈1,500). Since November 2022, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 31,100, with the private sector growing by 11,700 and government adding 19,400 jobs. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality (≈16,800), professional and business services (≈9,200), and educational and health services (≈6,300). During that same period trade, transportation, and utilities (≈8,600), financial activities (≈8,300), construction (≈4,400), and information (≈1,900) payroll jobs declined. Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 1.1 percent, lagging the U.S. rate of 1.8 percent. Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose from 33.1 to 33.5 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $35.35 to $36.93. Colorado average hourly earnings are two dollars and eighty-three cents higher than national average hourly earnings of $34.10.###All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: www.colmigateway.com. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: www.bls.gov.For data visualizations, visit public.tableau.com/app/profile/cdle.lmi.The December 2023 Colorado Employment Situation will be released at 8:00 AM on Friday, January 19, 2024. The full schedule of release dates for calendar year 2023 estimates is available at www.colmigateway.com.###Technical NotesThis release provides information on industry employment and labor force statistics for November 2023, the most current estimates available from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The reference period for the establishment survey was the pay period that includes the 12th of the month. While the household survey’s reference period typically covers the week that includes the 12th of the month, that shifted to the week that includes the 5th of the month for November. For more information on these infrequent reference week shifts, go to www.bls.gov/cps/definitions.htm#refweek.The unemployment rate, labor force, labor force participation, total employment, and the number of unemployed are based on a survey of households. The total employment estimate derived from this survey is intended to measure the number of people employed.Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies, and are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed. Other series based on this survey include private sector average weekly hours, average hourly earnings and average weekly earnings.The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions. 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.Resources MentionedSupplemental InformationLabor Force Summary November 2023City Report November 2023County Report November 2023November 2023 Press Release

Left to right: Aden Martinez (Latino Chamber of Commerce), Kelly Folks (Director of Employment & Training, Colorado Department of Labor), Commissioner Eppie Griego (Pueblo County), Kathy Reeves (Top-Notch Personnel), Suzie Miller (Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium), and Andrew Dalton (Pueblo Workforce Center)(PUEBLO) – The Pueblo Workforce Center, in partnership with the Latino Chamber of Commerce of Pueblo, hosted an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony at its new location at 1045 W. 6th Street in Pueblo on Wednesday, December 13th. The celebration marked the official inauguration of the new state-of-the-art facility dedicated to serving the employment needs of the Pueblo community.The relocation of the Pueblo Workforce Center represents a significant milestone in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the Colorado Workforce System's commitment to fostering economic growth and empowering individuals through employment opportunities. The new facility is strategically designed to enhance the delivery of the center's comprehensive services, including job placement assistance, career counseling, skills development programs and employer resources."To those who will walk through these doors seeking guidance and support, know that we are here for you. This is a place where potential meets opportunity, where determination meets resources, and where your aspirations can take flight," said Suzie Miller, Director of the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium. "We look forward to continuing our mission to promote quality jobs, build strategic objectives and strengthen resources to meet the needs of rural businesses, community partners and job seekers."Left to right: Noah Commerford (Latino Chamber of Commerce) Kelly Folks (Director of Employment & Training, Colorado Department of Labor), Commissioner Eppie Griego (Pueblo County), Andrew Dalton (Pueblo Workforce Center) and Suzie Miller (Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium)“This Workforce Center is not just a resource for the present; it is an investment in the future of our talent pipeline and a hub of possibilities that symbolizes our commitment to empowering individuals, fostering professional growth and contributing to the economic vitality of our community," shared Pueblo County Commissioner Eppie Grego shared. "Whether you are a job seeker eager to embark on a new career path, a professional looking to enhance your skills, or an employer seeking the right talent, this center is designed to serve as a catalyst for success. Let us embrace the journey that lies ahead, united in our commitment to build a stronger, more vibrant community.”The ribbon-cutting ceremony featured esteemed community leaders, government officials, and representatives from partner organizations, highlighting the collaborative efforts driving workforce development in the region. Attendees had the opportunity to tour the facility, interact with staff, and learn about the array of resources available to job seekers and employers alike.The Pueblo Workforce Center offers an array of services and resources including: job search assistance, career counseling, skill development, employment services, career assessment and exploration, veteran services, supportive services, workshops and training programs. It also supports businesses through recruitment, retention, and upskilling services.Visit the center's website for more information about its services, programs, or the relocation.Resources MentionedPueblo Workforce Center

Dec. 15, 2023 - The Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) is pleased to release the 10th annual Talent Pipeline Report, which analyzes issues related to the supply and demand of talent in Colorado. The 2023 Talent Pipeline Report identifies areas of growing demand and opportunity, explores key features of the current labor force, and recommends strategies to support economic prosperity in every corner of the state.Key Links:Visit the Talent Pipeline Report webpageRead the full reportRead the report overviewAccess appendicesExplore the dataRequest a presentationIn 2023 Colorado’s economy is stronger than the national economy with a lower unemployment rate and a higher labor force participation rate, compared to national averages. At the same time, the need for talent in the job market remains at historically high levels and many employers are struggling to find the talent they need to manage thriving businesses.In order to equip workers and learners with the skills they need to advance and meet the needs of businesses, it will be critical for Colorado to:Strengthen support for employers’ talent development strategies, Increase the availability of career-connected learning opportunities,Improve our state data systems, and Invest in high-impact opportunities for workforce development in areas such as the infrastructure workforce, advanced manufacturing workforce, and rural workforce.Last year Colorado dedicated $38 million to support zero cost training for early childhood and K-12 educators, fire and forestry professionals, construction workers, law enforcement officers, and nurses through the Career Advance program. The state also invested $25 million in scholarships to pursue postsecondary education and training opportunities, and $5 million to support work-based learning in high school. Through continued focus, partnership, and policy development Colorado will build on this work to better meet the needs of our businesses, job seekers, workers, and learners.The Colorado Workforce Development Council develops the Talent Pipeline Report in partnership with the Colorado Departments of Higher Education, Labor and Employment, Education, Human Services, Local Affairs, and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Thank you to all the partners who contributed to this year’s report.You can access the Talent Pipeline Report in full, the report overview, and all appendices on the CWDC website. Visit ColoradoTalentDashboard.com to dig into the data in a more dynamic format.

(DENVER) – The online portal where workers can start applying for paid family and medical leave under Colorado’s new voter-approved insurance program is now up and running.The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Division announced today that the My FAMLI+ portal will help Colorado workers apply for paid leave when it becomes available in January.My FAMLI+ allows workers to apply for partial wage replacement when they need to temporarily step away from their jobs because of life events such as welcoming a new child, facing a serious health condition or caring for a loved one facing a medical condition.Paid leave becomes available for almost all Colorado workers on Jan. 1, 2024. Opening the application portal more than a month early will help those who know they will need paid leave as soon it becomes available for things like welcoming a new child or because they’re planning a major surgery for early next year.To help everyone navigate the portal and get their questions answered about applying for FAMLI benefits, the FAMLI Division is putting on three statewide virtual town halls in English and Spanish in December, January and February at the dates and times below:December 6, 2023:English: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Spanish: 3 - 4 p.m.January 10, 2024:English: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Spanish: 3 - 4 p.m.February 1, 2024:English: 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.Spanish: 3 - 4 p.m.Registration, streaming and dial-in details are available here.The FAMLI Division started collecting premiums and wage reports at the beginning of 2023 to prepare for the release of benefit payments next year. The Division is led by Tracy Marshall, a Registered Nurse for over 25 years who is Board-Certified as both a Case Manager and Disability Management Specialist.“We’re proud to give Colorado workers a best-in-class user portal to give them the support they need when facing a major life event,” Marshall said. “Not only does My FAMLI+ provide Colorado workers a stress-free application process, it also allows health care providers to certify their patients’ claims all online, reducing the paperwork and processing times."For more details, check out famli.colorado.gov to find how-to videos, a user guide, webinars and FAQs to help workers, employers and health care providers navigate the program.# # #

Second quarter 2023 Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) resultsindicate Colorado total nonfarm payroll jobs estimates will be revised up for this period with the release of benchmarked estimates in March 2024. June 2023 estimates are expected to be revised up by about 40,900 nonfarm payroll jobs, or 1.4 percent. April and May 2023 estimates are expected to be revised up by about 27,000 and 23,300 nonfarm payroll jobs, respectively.Applying these results through October 2023 brings estimated total nonfarm payroll jobs in October to 2,958,600. This change brings over the year payroll job growth estimates through October 2023 to 69,500 or 2.4 percent.The final March 2024 benchmarked series are expected to vary from these estimates due to new seasonal adjustment factors and new estimates of nonfarm payroll jobs not covered by the unemployment insurance program.Industry sectors expected to undergo an upward revision to payroll jobs estimates in the 2nd quarter1 include trade, transportation, and utilities (~15,800), education and health services (~12,400), financial activities (~8,900), professional and business services (~6,800), construction (~4,700), government (~4,600), and other services (~1,100).The industry sectors expected to undergo a downward revision to payroll jobs estimates are leisure and hospitality (~7,700) and manufacturing (~4,500). Mining and logging and information may also be revised down.Payroll jobs estimates for the Denver (~44,100), Colorado Springs (~7,100), Fort Collins (~3,500), and Greeley (~3,400) Metropolitan Statistical Areas are expected to be revised up in the 2nd quarter1. The Pueblo and Grand Junction Metropolitan Statistical Areas may also be revised up.Total nonfarm payroll job estimates for the Boulder Metropolitan Statistical Area may be revised down.1 Values shown are June estimates.# # #Expected Revisions to Colorado Nonfarm Payroll Jobs based on 3rd quarter 2023QCEW data will be released Wednesday, February 21, 2024.# # #Every month of the year other than February the Colorado Department of Labor andEmployment, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, releases estimates of Colorado nonfarm payroll jobs for the previous month based on results from a survey of business establishments. Estimates for Colorado are produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for total nonfarm payroll jobs and specific industry sectors or groups of sectors across the entire state, and for the seven metropolitan statistical areas.In February of each year these survey based estimates are compared to and adjusted in a process called “benchmarking” based on administrative records available since the release of the survey estimates. The results of that comparison are released in March.For instance, at the beginning of the 2024 calendar year Colorado nonfarm payroll jobs estimates for the 4th quarter of 2022 and all of 2023 will be benchmarked based on information available from the QCEW program for the 4th quarter of 2022 and the first three quarters of 2023. These updated estimates will be released in March 2024.The source of these administrative records for the QCEW program are unemployment insurance reports Colorado employers are required to file quarterly with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Among other information, employers include the number of people employed at the firm for each month of the quarter for which the report is being filed. Although only firms with employees covered by the Colorado Unemployment Insurance program are required by state and federal law to submit these reports, this quarterly census of employment covers about 98 percent of all nonfarm payroll jobs and about 88 percent of total employment in Colorado.Aggregated by industry, the QCEW data are more closely aligned with the definition of nonfarm payroll jobs than with total employment. This is because an individual holding more than one job is counted only once in the total employment estimate but multiple times in both QCEW and the nonfarm payroll jobs estimates. Total employment estimates are by place of residence while both QCEW and payroll jobs are by place of business.Though the official nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are benchmarked only once a year, data from QCEW are available quarterly and, once available, can be compared to the official series to see by about how much the official statistics will be adjusted.

1,500 Nonfarm Payroll Jobs Added in October;Unemployment Rate Rises to 3.3 PercentHousehold survey dataAccording to the survey of households, Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate increased one-tenth of a percentage point in October to 3.3 percent compared to the September rate of 3.2 percent. The number of unemployed individuals grew by 2,400 over the same time period to 105,900. The national unemployment rate also increased one-tenth of a percentage point to 3.9 percent from September to October. Colorado’s labor force decreased by 5,600 in October to 3,247,000. The share of Coloradans participating in the labor force fell to 68.4 percent in October, compared to 68.6 percent the month prior. The U.S. labor force participation rate was 62.7 percent in October, dropping one-tenth of a percentage point from the month prior. The number of individuals employed in Colorado declined by 8,000 in October to 3,141,100, which represents 66.2 percent of the state’s 16+ population. Colorado’s employment-population ratio of 66.2 in October was two-tenths of a percentage point lower compared to the September rate of 66.4 percent. The national employment-population ratio also fell by two-tenths of a percentage point to 60.2 percent in October, compared to the September rate of 60.4 percent.Establishment survey dataEmployers in Colorado added 1,500 nonfarm payroll jobs from September to October for a total of 2,917,700 jobs, according to the survey of business establishments. Private sector payroll jobs decreased by 200, while government added 1,700 jobs. September estimates were revised down to 2,916,200, and the over the month change from August to September was a loss of 100 rather than the originally estimated increase of 1,500 (monthly revisions are based on additional responses from businesses and government agencies since the last published estimates). The Private industry sector with significant job gains in October was: leisure and hospitality (≈1,500). Significant over the month private sector job loss occurred in construction (≈1,400) and trade, transportation, and utilities (≈900). Since October 2022, nonfarm payroll jobs have increased 33,100, with the private sector growing by 13,000 and government adding 20,100 jobs. The largest private sector job gains were in leisure and hospitality (≈17,000), educational and health services (≈8,000), and professional and business services (≈6,900). During that same period financial activities (≈7,500), construction (≈7,200), trade, transportation, and utilities (≈6,900), and information (≈300) payroll jobs declined. Colorado’s rate of job growth over the past year is 1.1 percent, lagging the U.S. rate of 1.9 percent. Over the year, the average workweek for all Colorado employees on private nonfarm payrolls rose from 34.0 to 34.1 hours, while average hourly earnings grew from $35.08 to $36.31. Colorado average hourly earnings are two dollars and thirty-one cents higher than national average hourly earnings of $34.00.###All Colorado estimates from the establishment and household surveys, including greater geographic detail, are available at: www.colmigateway.com. Estimates for all states and the nation are available at: www.bls.gov.For data visualizations, visit public.tableau.com/app/profile/cdle.lmi.The November 2023 Colorado Employment Situation will be released at 8:00 AM on Thursday, December 21, 2023. The full schedule of release dates for calendar year 2023 estimates is available at www.colmigateway.com.###Technical NotesThis release provides information on industry employment and labor force statistics for October 2023, the most current estimates available from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The reference period for the establishment and household surveys was the pay period or week that includes the 12th of the month.The unemployment rate, labor force, labor force participation, total employment and the number of unemployed are based on a survey of households. The total employment estimate derived from this survey is intended to measure the number of people employed.Nonfarm payroll jobs estimates are based on a survey of business establishments and government agencies, and are intended to measure the number of jobs, not the number of people employed. Other series based on this survey include private sector average weekly hours, average hourly earnings and average weekly earnings.The business establishment survey covers about seven times the number of households surveyed and is therefore considered a more reliable indicator of economic conditions. 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.Resources MentionedSupplemental InformationCity Report October 2023County Report October 2023October 2023 Press Release