Colorado Labor Market Update – April 2026

May 22, 2026

Summary:

Colorado’s labor market added 11,800 nonfarm jobs in April. Government employment declining by 200 jobs and the private sector gained 12,000 jobs. The professional and business services sector, which grew by 4,700 jobs, dominated industry-level employment growth while declines occurred in the mining and logging, information, and leisure and hospitality sectors.

Key Findings:

• Colorado’s job growth rate has been relatively modest over the over the last year. Colorado’s nonfarm growth rate ranks 23rd among all states over the last 12 months.
• Colorado experienced a notable employment increase in April. The state experienced a substantial increase of 11,800 nonfarm jobs in April. The state lost 200 government jobs and gained 12,000 private jobs.
• Colorado’s LFPR dropped for the fourth consecutive month. The state’s LFPR declined 0.2 percentage points in April and has now fallen 1.3 ppt in the last year.
• Only 3 of Colorado’s 11 jobs sectors grew over the last year. Construction, education & health services, and professional & business services sectors grew while all other sectors saw employment declines.

Click the button below to open the full labor market report and see sector breakdowns, wages, and more.