Phil Castle, Business Times

The monthly unemployment rate in Mesa County has dropped to its lowest level since December. The decline reflects in part an increase in seasonal hiring, but also signals more competition for employers in filling job openings.

While signs point to the possibility of recession, Mesa County should fare better with a more diversified economy, said Lindsay Bullock, director of the Mesa County Workforce Center in Grand Junction. “I think we’re in a great spot right now.”

The seasonally unadjusted unemployment rate fell seven-tenths of a point to 3.1 percent in March, according to the latest estimates from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. That’s the lowest level since the rate also stood at 3.1 percent in December and matches the lowest level since before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. At this time last year, the rate was higher at 3.8 percent.

Between February and March, Mesa County payrolls edged up 74 to 74,802. The number of people counted among those unsuccessfully looking for work decreased 583 to 2,396. The labor force, which includes the employed and unemployed, shrank 509 to 77,198.

Over the past year, payrolls increased 673 or nearly 1 percent. The ranks of the unemployed decreased 559. The labor force inched up 112.

Bullock said the low jobless rate constitutes something of a “mixed bag” because it means more people are working, but employers face more difficulty in filling job openings. Some employers have found success with more creative approaches, including job sharing and part-time positions as well as training students.

The number of job orders posted at the Mesa County Workforce Center increased in March to 879, Bullock said. That’s up from the 760 orders posted in the same month last year.

She attributed the gain to an increase in seasonal hiring for positions in construction and other outdoor work as well new businesses and expansions.

For the first quarter of 2023, 2,184 orders were posted. That’s down from the 2,570 orders posted during the first quarter of 2022.

Although already low, Bullock said the jobless rate could slip a bit lower heading into the summer months. Job growth is forecast for most industry sectors.

Signs also point to the possibility of a recession. But a more diversified economy should help Mesa County fare better if a downturn does occur, she said.

Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates also dropped in neighboring Western Colorado counties in March — eight-tenths of a point to 3.6 percent in Delta County and 2.9 percent in Montrose County, and seven-tenths of a point to 2.9 percent in Rio Blanco County and 2.6 percent in Garfield County.

The statewide seasonally adjusted jobless rate edged down a tenth of a point to 2.8 percent, remaining below 3 percent for an 11th consecutive month.

Nonfarm payrolls shrank 4,700 between February and March with declines in the professional and business services and trade, transportation and utilities sectors more than offsetting a gain in services. Private sector employment fell 6,200 while government payrolls increased 1,500.

Over the past year, nonfarm payrolls increased 33,400 or 1.2 percent. The largest gains were reported in the leisure and hospitality, professional and business services and educational and health services sectors. Employment has decreased in the financial activities and construction sectors as well as the trade, transportation and utilities sector.

Over the past year, the average workweek for Colorado employees on private, nonfarm payrolls lengthened two-tenths of an hour to 33.1 hours. Average hourly earnings increased $1.49 to $35.21.