Phil Castle, The Business Times

The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County spiked in January even higher than Curtis Englehart expected. But a growing labor force and fewer claims for unemployment benefits offer more encouraging signs.

“I think we’re still in a pretty good spot,” said Englehart, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction.

According to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate rose nine-tenths of a point to 5.8 percent in Mesa County. “It went higher than I thought it would,” Englehart said.

The latest jobless rate is the highest since it stood at 5.3 percent in February 2017. For January 2018, the rate was a full point lower at 4.8 percent.

For January 2019, Mesa County payrolls decreased 576 to 72,302. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work increased 722 to 4,464. The overall labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, edged up 146 to 76,766. 

Over the past year, payrolls have increased 2,066, or more than 2.9 percent. The ranks of the unemployed have increased 919. The workforce has grown 2,985.

The unemployment rate historically spikes in January because of layoffs following the holidays and the effects of winter weather on the construction industry and other sectors that require outdoor work. The weather has been more severe this year than the past two years, Englehart said.

The number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center also declined in January on a year-over-year basis — 10.8 percent to 592. Labor demand remained strongest for jobs in health care and office and administrative and office support, he said.

With a total increase of 6,500 over the past two years, the overall labor force in Mesa County has grown to its highest level since 2013, Englehart said. “That’s something to be excited about.”

He attributed the gain in part to more people relocating to Mesa County, especially from the Front Range of Colorado. Many of them move first and then look for jobs.

Meanwhile, initial claims for jobless benefits declined 14.6 percent to 210 in January. Just 125 claims were filed in February, the lowest amount since March 2008, Englehart said.

While the February labor estimates will offer more information when they’re released March 22, Englehart remains optimistic. “I think 2019 is going to shape up to be another good year.”

Yet another indicator of the labor market also offers encouragement, Englehart said, and that’s interest among employers and job seekers in the upcoming Jump Start Job Fair. He expects the fair to attract more than 50 businesses actively hiring for openings as well as a large turnout of job seekers.

The fair is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 2 at the workforce center, 512 29 1/2 Road. The fair will be open to veterans only between 9 and 9:30. A presentation for job seekers planning to attend the fair it set for 1 p.m. March 26 at the center. Registration and additional information is available by calling 248-7560 or logging on to www.mcwfc.us.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also increased in neighboring Western Colorado counties in January: 1.6 points to 7 percent in Rio Blanco County, 1.1 points to 5.2 percent in Montrose County, a point to 5.4 percent in Delta County and six-tenths of a point to 4.3 percent in Garfield County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged up a tenth of a point to 3.7 percent as the number of people looking for work exceeded those reporting themselves as employed. Nonfarm payrolls increased 2,400.

Over the past year, the jobless rate has increased eight-tenths of a percent even as nonfarm payrolls have swelled 49,300. The largest employment gains have occurred in the professional and business services; leisure and hospitality; and trade, transportation and utilities sectors.

The average workweek has shortened a half hour to 32.7 hours. Average hourly wages have increased $1.97 to $30.18.