Colorado Cities With Highest Employment Growth

DENVER, CO — Employment is on the rise in Colorado as the state recovers from the pandemic; however, some cities are pulling ahead of others, according to a new quarterly report.

Colorado Springs, Fort Collins and Denver are outpacing Boulder and Greeley in employment growth, according to the report, which was released Wednesday by the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

Unemployment in the state remains at 6.2 percent, ranking 35th in the country, the research shows.

Our state remained down 99,900 jobs from January, but Colorado's labor force participation rate is 68.5 percent — the third strongest in the country, according to the report.

“The high participation rate indicates many Coloradans are employed or actively seeking employment,” said Richard Wobbekind, senior economist and faculty director of the Leeds Business Research Division.

“This trend could lead to a full jobs recovery from the recession in 2022.”

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The study shows that businesses across the state are recovering from the 2020 recession. Gross domestic product increased 1.4 percent year-over-year.

“Colorado is on the road to recovery despite historic economic challenges," said Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold.

"While the latest data is encouraging, we know that the pandemic has deepened wealth and income inequalities in our state and many Coloradans have not seen a return to pre-pandemic normal. As we continue to rebuild from the pandemic, there is incredible opportunity to ensure that Colorado’s strengthening economy is benefiting all communities.”

>> Read the full Quarterly & Business Economic Indicators report here.