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Colorado Economists See Signs of Job Growth

Creative Commons

Colorado’s economic recovery is still very much tied to the national economy which has stalled in recent months – but there are small signs of improvement in the state’s job market.

Last December University of Colorado Economist Richard Wobbekind predicted growth in five job markets including the professional and business service sector.

“In addition we expect to see job growth in leisure and hospitality, education and health – that’s private education and private health and trade transportation and utilities,” Wobbekind said.

And based on the latest numbers those sectors did help drive a half-percent uptick in Colorado employment – or 11,000 jobs – from the beginning of the year through the end of May. Economists say the gains may be small but also say any gains are welcome compared to the 25,000 jobs that were lost last year.

Still, 233,000 people are looking for work in Colorado.

Email: brian.larson@kunc.org