Colorado set a new high in its unemployment rate in February, growing from 9.1 percent to 9.3 percent, according to figures released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Twenty-seven other states showed decreases in the jobless rate, suggesting an overall strengthening in the U.S. labor market.
The report is consistent with March 4 government figures showing nationwide unemployment in February fell to 8.9 percent as employers added 192,000 workers.
Unemployment fell the most in Nevada, where it reached 13.6 percent. That was the highest unemployment rate among the states.
The West reported the highest regional unemployment rate in February, 10.8 percent, while the Northeast and Midwest recorded the lowest rates, 8.3 and 8.4 percent, respectively.
In total, 22 states posted jobless rates significantly lower than the U.S. figure of 8.9 percent, 10 states recorded measurably higher rates, and 18 states and the District of Columbia had rates that were not appreciably different from that of the nation.
Bloomberg News Service contributed to this report
