Phil Castle, The Business Times

The monthly unemployment rate jumped again in June in Mesa County, a seasonal increase that’s been attributed in the past to high school and college graduates entering the workforce, but not yet finding jobs.

The seasonally unadjusted jobless rate rose three-tenths of a point between May and June to 4.4 percent, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. At this time last year, the rate was lower at  3.9 percent.

Despite gains in each of the last two months, the latest unemployment rate remains below the 4.7 percent posted in February, the high so far for 2024.

Between May and June 2024, Mesa County payrolls increased 327 to 72,993. But the number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work also increased — 273 to 3,348. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, grew 600 to 76,341.

Over the past year, payrolls decreased 103 even as the ranks of the unemployed increased 345. The labor force grew 242.

The monthly jobless rate typically jumps between May and June in part because high school and college graduates enter the workforce, but don’t immediately find jobs.

The latest increase wasn’t as pronounced as last year, though, when the monthly unemployment rate increased eight-tenths of a point.

Following the June jump, the monthly unemployment rate typically trends back down in Mesa County through the summer and fall.

Employment estimates for July are scheduled for publication Aug. 16.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates increased in three neighboring western Colorado counties in June — four-tenths of a point to 4.4 percent in Rio Blanco County, two-tenths of a point to 4.1 percent in Delta County and a tenth of a point to 3.8 percent in Montrose County. The jobless rate slipped two-tenths of a point to 3.4 percent in Garfield County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate held steady at  3.8 percent even though nonfarm payrolls rose 1,400 between May and June.

By comparison, the national jobless rate edged up a tenth of a point between May and June to 4.1 percent.

According to the latest results of household surveys, the number of employed people in Colorado rose 2,600 to more than 3.1 million, which represents 65.3 percent of the state population 16 years old and older.

The number of unemployed people in the state increased 800 to 124,400.

The unemployment rate held steady in part because of rounding.

The labor participation rate — the proportion of the population working or looking for work — remained unchanged at 67.9 percent. That’s higher than the national labor participation rate of 62.6 percent.

According to the latest results of separate business surveys, nonfarm payrolls grew 1,400 between May and June to nearly 3 million.

Private sector payrolls increased 600, while government payrolls increased 800. Employment increased 1,200 in other services, but decreased 1,100 in construction.

Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls grew 40,900 for an annual rate of job growth of 1.4 percent.

Employment increased 12,500 in educational and health services, 8,000 in professional and business services and 4,200 in financial activities. Employment decreased 4,000 in construction and 3,000 in information. Payrolls declined 6,000 in the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

The average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened an hour over the past year to 34.2 hours. Average hourly earnings increased $2.80 to $37.98.