Colorado has lost jobs every month in 2025

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Colorado Job Market Faces Challenges Despite Recent Growth

Colorado employers added 6,800 jobs between February and March, which would typically be a positive sign. However, this growth was overshadowed by the return of 10,000 striking King Soopers workers, as reported in a monthly update from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Despite this recent growth, Colorado has seen a decline in payroll counts over the past three months, leading to a minimal annual job growth rate of 0.1%. This places the state among the slowest in the country, far below the national average of 1.2%. Additionally, Colorado’s unemployment rate rose to 4.8% in March, higher than the U.S. rate of 4.2%.

While the data may suggest a challenging economic landscape, Broomfield economist Gary Horvath remains cautiously optimistic. He notes that Colorado is not as heavily reliant on international trade or manufacturing, factors that could buffer the state from certain economic pressures.

Although the job market in Colorado has experienced some setbacks, Horvath believes that the overall economic climate does not indicate stagnation or contraction. Retail sales remain steady, and the state’s workforce has not been significantly affected by recent federal policy changes.

However, recent job losses in key sectors like professional and business services are cause for concern. Despite gains in government and leisure and hospitality industries, the overall job market in Colorado remains fragile.

Looking ahead, Horvath acknowledges that the state’s job data may not accurately reflect the true level of hiring activity. Technical issues with reporting systems could be masking stronger job growth trends, or conversely, Colorado and other lagging states may be signaling broader economic challenges.

As the state navigates these uncertainties, staying informed about the evolving job market trends will be crucial for businesses and job seekers alike. Stay updated on the latest business news by subscribing to our Economy Now newsletter.