October’s unemployment rate remains unchanged in Colorado
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) - Over 9,000 Coloradans filed initial unemployment claims last week. This comes as national unemployment numbers rise.
Initial claims grew by over 1,500 last week compared to the week before.
Despite the growing trend in initial claims, continued claims are falling around the state. A little more than 86,000 people continued to seek jobless benefits at the beginning of November.
The newest county numbers show claims rising in El Paso County, with 831 people filing initial claims during the last week of October.
Pueblo County saw a slight drop in claims during that time, with 265 people seeking jobless benefits.
Continued claims have been dropping in both counties.
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment released new data Friday, stating that October's unemployment rate has remained unchanged at 6.4%.
Other October takeaways were:
- Colorado's work force grew by 17,600.
- The number of individuals employed in Colorado rose by 15,800.
- Pueblo County had one of the highest unemployment rates in the state with 7.8%.
At this time, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment is encouraging employers to use the Work Share and Rapid Response programs.
The work-share program gives employers an alternative to laying off employees by allowing employees to keep working, but with fewer hours.
While they are working, they are eligible for partial unemployment benefits. For more information on the programs click here.
For those looking for a job, the state is continuing to offer resources. As of Friday morning, there were close to 77,000 open job postings on ConnectingColorado.com.
