A surge in tourism-related hiring helped offset the loss of census jobs last month and kept the state’s unemployment rate level, according to the June employment report, which was released Tuesday.
Colorado’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained at 8 percent in June, matching May’s rate, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reported.
Statewide, the number of unemployed rose by 200, despite an increase of 3,300 unemployed in the state’s major metro areas.
Stronger-than-expected hiring for the summer tourism season in rural areas is how that gap got covered, said Chris Akers, a labor economist with the state.
The leisure-and-hospitality sector added 4,000 jobs, while trade, transportation and utilities added 1,100, primarily in retail, on a seasonally adjusted basis from May to June.
“Things have improved considerably in terms of leisure and hospitality, especially relative to last year,” Akers said.
Tourism-related hiring helped offset a decline of 8,600 government jobs as the 2010 census dismissed field workers and local governments increased layoffs.
Based on past patterns, census layoffs should decline in July before picking up again from August through October, Akers said.
Budget problems could also increase local-government layoffs in coming months, he cautioned.
Construction represented another bright spot. The sector hasn’t shed workers for two months running, the longest positive streak since the summer of 2007.
The construction hiring has been concentrated in road and infrastructure projects, which are getting a boost from federal stimulus dollars and FasTracks.
Unemployment rates rose in 45 of the state’s 64 counties, not adjusting for seasonal effects. Rates fell the most in resort counties such as Summit, Eagle, Pitkin and Grand.
Colorado was among six states with a flat unemployment rate in June. Thirty-nine states recorded decreases, while five states had increases, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Aldo Svaldi: 303-954-1410 or asvaldi@denverpost.com
