Health care providers and consultants had more opportunities last month, while about 2,200 construction workers lost jobs.
The combination helped stabilize Colorado’s unemployment rate, which remained unchanged at 4.4 percent in October, mirroring the national rate, state economists said Tuesday. It compared with 4.9 percent in October 2005.
The total number of people in the nonagricultural workforce dipped about 100 jobs to 2.28 million based on seasonally adjusted figures issued by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
In all, 20 of the state’s 64 counties reported lower unemployment rates, while nine remained the same, the department said.
Other news briefs
COLORADO SPRINGS
Verizon high-speed becomes available
Verizon Wireless announced Tuesday that customers in Colorado Springs now have access to the company’s high-speed wireless network.
With average access speeds of 400-700 kilobytes per second, users can download a 1 megabyte e-mail attachment in about 20 seconds, the company said.
DENVER
Qwest networking teams with DirecTV
Qwest said Tuesday that it will provide networking services to El Segundo, Calif.-based DirecTV for the next three years.
Qwest’s networking services will help DirecTV deliver local high-definition television content to customers.
The agreement is a direct result of Qwest’s recent acquisition of OnFiber.
DENVER
Hotel occupancy and room rates on the rise
Average occupancy rates and room rates rose in October compared with the same month in 2005, the latest Rocky Mountain Lodging Report said Tuesday.
For metro Denver, average hotel-occupancy rates were up 4.8 percentage points, to 71.3 percent, compared with October 2005. Average room rates grew by $13.63, to $109.68.
Statewide, occupancy rates were up 3.7 percentage points, to 61.7 percent. Average room rates increased by $11.44, to $105.72.
DENVER
Peer panel will eye Justice Center design
Mayor John Hickenlooper has created an architectural peer review panel to ensure the Justice Center courthouse meets the city’s high design standards.
The panel’s work will include schematic reviews, site tours and meetings with the design team. It is expected to complete its review by the end of January.
Architects who have agreed to serve on the panel include Bruce Kuwabara of Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects in Toronto; John Ellis of Solomon E.T.C. in San Francisco; Laurie Olin of Olin Partnership in Philadelphia; Lee Becker of Hartman Cox Architects in Washington, D.C.; David Tryba of David Owen Tryba Architects in Denver; and Ranko Ruizic of AR7 Hoover Desmond Architects in Denver.
ASPEN
Restructuring moves at Aspen Skiing Co.
Aspen Skiing Co. announced several corporate restructuring moves Tuesday, a week after Mike Kaplan took over as president and chief executive of the ski resort company.
David Perry was promoted to senior vice president, Mountain Division; Rich Burkley will become vice president, Mountain Operations; and Jeanne Mackowski will become vice president, marketing.
Pat O’Donnell, the previous president and chief executive, retired last week.
GREENWOOD VILLAGE
12 down, one to go
in burger acquisitions
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Inc. said Tuesday that it has completed the acquisition of the 12th of 13 franchised restaurants it is purchasing from Great Western Dining in Washington state.
The company said it expects to complete the final acquisition before the end of the year.
WASHINGTON
Passenger airlines culling worker flocks
U.S. passenger airlines had 2.6 percent fewer workers in September 2006 than a year earlier, according to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics in data released Tuesday.
The decline has slowed, with the September decline the smallest year-over-year drop since March 2005. United’s count of full-time equivalent employees has declined from about 79,000 in September 2002 to 54,000 in September 2005 and 53,000 in September 2006.
Meanwhile, Frontier’s full- time equivalent employee count has increased from about 3,000 in September 2002 to 4,000 in September 2005 and 5,000 in September 2006.
DOUGLAS COUNTY
CH2M Hill unit to be fined for violations
The Department of Energy will fine CH2M Hill’s Hanford Group $82,500 for violating nuclear safety requirements at the Hanford nuclear reservation in Washington state, according to an Associated Press report.
CH2M Hill is the primary contractor responsible for retrieving hazardous and radioactive waste from tanks at the site.
DENVER
Xcel giving money to environmental groups
The Xcel Energy Foundation said Tuesday it will grant money to environmental organizations in Denver.
Habitat for Humanity of Colorado will receive $15,000.
The Institute for Environmental Solutions will receive $10,000.
The Colorado chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council, the Institute for Environmental Solutions and Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado each will receive $10,000.
The James P. Beckwourth Mountain Club will get $5,000.
