DENVER—Colorado’s unemployment rate declined slightly last month, but state labor officials warned Tuesday the drop is probably only temporary.
The state Department of Labor and Employment said the jobless rate was 5.2 percent in September, down from 5.4 percent in August.
Donald J. Mares, director of the state Labor Department, said Colorado’s job growth is slowing, and the national economic downturn will hurt the state’s labor force.
The number of Coloradans with jobs rose by 9,600 in September, to just over 2.6 million. The number of people who were looking for jobs but failed to find them fell by 5,400.
Nine of the state’s 11 major industry groups cut jobs last month, led by 9,900 positions in leisure and hospitality, 3,300 in construction and 2,800 in trade, transportation and utilities.
That was offset by gains in government hiring, primarily education.
The national unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.1 percent last month.
The state unemployment rate in September a year ago was 4 percent.
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