Colorado shows employment growth, despite oil, gas losses

State data shows that Colorado’s unemployment rate at the start of 2016 was at its lowest level in nearly 15 years, despite major job cuts in the state’s energy industry.

The Denver Post reports that the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment estimates say the unemployment rate in January 2016 fell to 3.2 percent, down from 4.9 percent in January 2015.

State labor officials say Colorado hasn’t seen unemployment rate levels this low since April 2001.

The decrease in unemployment came as the state lost 6,700 oil, gas and mining jobs from January 2015 to January 2016.

The state added 5,200 jobs this January, marking the 51st consecutive month of payroll jobs growth.

The monthly labor estimates are based on surveys from both households and business and government agencies.