QUARTERLY Government employment seasonally advanced adding 7008 employees for a quarterly gain of 2.2%. Seasonal factors significantly influenced the increase of 8298 employees in Local government. A full quarter of school employment after summer break added 13,585 employees. Offsetting the huge gain in education was the seasonal decline in General Government down 3932. Decreases were the result of the cessation of summer recreation programs and maintenance activities undertaken by many municipalities. Amusement & Recreation also seasonally declined by 1447. Employment in State government grew by 681. Seasonal gains in education added 1613 employees. Like Local government, education gains were offset by losses in recreation activity. Seasonal layoffs related to staffing at state parks dropped employment by 706. Seasonal layoffs related to the Department of Agriculture dropped another 268 from the state payroll. Federal government employment fell by 1971. Gains were made in Post Office as 474 were hired for the Christmas rush. Declines, however, were prevalent occurring in National Parks, Sports Fish & Wildlife, and Farm Service. Census lost 869 employees and the Department of Defense 300. ANNUAL Government employment was higher than a year ago up 1.8% adding 5721 employees. Local government, the largest component of government, incurred the largest employment gain. Employment increased by 5386. More than half or 2888 employees were added to Educational Services. General government added 1264 employees. Both sectors grew due to increased demand for services brought about by the expanding population. Health Services added 451 employees with most growth occurring in Metro Denver. Employment in State government rose by 1315. Educational Services generated the largest sector employment gain rising by 882. Justice, Public Order & Safety experienced the second largest gain up 605 employees. Expansions at the Sterling prison facility and expansions in Fremont County generated most of the sector increase. Federal government employment fell by 980. The largest annual loss occurred in the category National Security down 376 employees due to decreases in Denver County within the Department of Defense. The Administration of Economic Programs had the second largest Federal government loss down 316 with the completion of the 2000 Census reducing numbers by 189.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 2000
