Colorado added 14,400 nonfarm jobs in March, accounting for nearly one out of every seven new jobs gained in the U.S. during the month, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported Friday.
“The growth in wage and salary employment has remained consistent this year; in fact, Colorado contributed 13 percent of the national job growth in March,” said Leroy Williams, the department’s acting director.
The state’s unemployment rate, adjusting for seasonal effects, rose to 5.2 percent in March from 4.9 percent in February.
The number of unemployed rose from 124,100 in February to 130,600 in March as more discouraged workers re-entered the hunt for work.
The leisure and hospitality sector added 4,100 jobs on the back of increased hiring at hotels and restaurants.
Professional and business services added 3,600 jobs, continuing the strong gains shown in recent months.
Construction gained 3,100 jobs during the month, a jump expected with the warm weather.
Staff writer Aldo Svaldi can be reached at 303-820-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com.
