Metro Denver added 8,100 jobs in April, an 0.6 percent increase over March and a 2.2 percent year-over-year improvement compared with 2004.
That was just one of more than a dozen positive economic indicators released Tuesday in the Metro Denver Economic Development Corp.’s monthly economic summary.
Of the 18 economic indicators tracked by the group, 15 showed positive growth so far this year, said Tom Clark, Metro Denver EDC executive vice president.
Compared with 2004, the construction and natural-resources sectors increased employment by 4.5 percent, followed by education and health services at 3.4 percent, and professional and business services at 3.3 percent.
The information industry, which includes software and print publishing, was the only sector to lose jobs year- over-year, declining by 5.7 percent.
The unemployment rate in Denver’s seven-county metro area decreased from 5.7 percent in March to 5.3 in April, reaching its lowest level since November.
“The Colorado economy shows continued signs of strength and growth,” Clark said in a statement. “This is good news, and it points to the re-emergence of metro Denver as a solid investment opportunity.”
As for the consumer sector, retail sales in metro Denver were up 8.1 percent compared with the same period a year ago.
Adams County led the way with a 20 percent increase, followed by Douglas County at 14.8 percent and Boulder County at 11.4 percent. All other counties showed minor gains except for Broomfield, which declined by 0.3 percent.
Staff writer Will Shanley can be reached at 303-820-1473 or wshanley@denverpost.com.
