Colorado jobless rate holds steady
The Rocky
Published May 16, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Updated May 16, 2008 at 4:30 p.m.
Text size 
Colorado’s unemployment rate was steady at 4.4 percent in April, but labor economists say rising energy and food prices are expected to dampen job growth.
The state Department of Labor and Employment said today that the jobless rate has been steady the past three months but is up eight-tenths of 1 percentage point from the same period a year ago and is the highest since mid-2006.
The national unemployment rate was 5 percent in April.
Total employment statewide increased in April by 58,200 jobs from the roughly 2.5 million jobs the same time last year.
But state labor chief Don Mares said rising food and energy costs combined with continued sluggishness in construction will likely slow down job growth the rest of the year.
Featured
-
DNC in Denver
Complete coverage of the 2008 Democratic National Convention.
-
The Crevasse
A five-part series that examines one tragic day on Mount Rainier.
-
Deadly denial
Sick nuclear workers applied for government compensation but most haven't seen a dime.
-
Final Salute
The Rocky followed Maj. Steve Beck as he took on the most difficult duty of his career.
-
'Colorado's burning'
Coverage of the state's worst wildfires.
-
Columbine shootings
Coverage of the April 20, 1999, shootings at Littleton's Columbine High School.
-
The Crossing
Colorado's deadliest traffic accident killed 20 children on Dec. 14, 1961.
-
Osveli's journey
Osveli Sales left Guatemala for a better life. Two months later, he came home in a box.
-
Wake for an Indian warrior
Oglala Sioux bestow a tribute to the first tribal fatality in Iraq.
