Colorado’s unemployment rate dropped slightly in December, ticking down from 7.7 to 7.6 percent. At the same time, officials with the state Department of Labor and Employment say Colorado lost 2,500 private sector jobs.
Although Colorado’s construction sector added jobs last month, most others saw declines, including professional and business services, and education and health services.
Still, 2012 overall saw modest but steady gains in employment, with 51,300 jobs gained over the year in Colorado.
Alexandra Hall, chief economist with the state labor department, says that represents an increase of .4 percent over the growth rate in 2011.
Nationwide, unemployment rates fell in 22 states last month, as steady but slow hiring is making only gradual improvement in the job market.
