Upper Arkansas Workforce RegionLabor Market Information

Colorado was the 3rd fastest growing State between 2010 and 2014, with a cumulative population growth of 6.50%.

In terms of employment growth, Colorado also outpaced the nation by a wide margin. However, the Upper Arkansas Workforce Region saw only a 1.3% increase in its job base, lagging both Colorado and the U.S. as a whole. Economically, Colorado is ranked as the 5th fastest growing state in the nation in Gross domestic product growth.

Labor Market Information (LMI) in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment collects and analyzes information about labor market trends throughout Colorado. Data are presented in a variety of ways: industry employment and wages, current and projected industry and occupation levels, occupational wages, and labor force employment and wages. LMI conducts various research projects and assists workforce centers and others with customized regional information requests.

Dee Funkhouser Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Labor Market Information (303) 318-8865 www.colmigateway.com

Area 2014Population

2010-2014Population

Change

2014Employment

Year Over YearEmployment

Growth 2013-14

October 2015 unemployment

rate State of Colorado 5,355,866 6.50% 2,417,769 3.50% 3.80%

Chaffee 18,363 3.10% 6,999 2.90% 3.00%

Custer 4,361 2.50% 874 6.80% 2.90%Fremont 46,502 -0.70% 12,757 -0.50% 5.20%Park 16,354 0.90% 2,215 3.50% 2.90%Source: LMI, QCEW & LAUS; Colorado State Demography Office.

Source: LED, Quarterly Workforce Indicators (QWI)

Source: LED, OnTheMap

Local Employment Dynamics

To City of Canon City 25.4% To Colorado Springs 11.6% To Pueblo 8.3%

Fremont County

19-21 22-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

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2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2014 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3

Upper Arkansas Labor Force

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2013 Q1 2013 Q2 2013 Q3 2013 Q4 2014 Q1 2014 Q2 2014 Q3

19-21 22-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-64

Upper Arkansas Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation

Fremont County’s workers travel far and wide for their jobs. While many work within the county, almost 20% travel to either Colorado Springs or Pueblo for work. Over 30% travel more than 50 miles for work.

The age distribution of the region’s workforce is fairly well balanced among age groups. The largest category is the 45-54 year olds, but the 25 – 34 and 35 – 44 age cohorts are quite well represented as well. However, there aren’t very many workers under the age of 25.

When looking at only the Arts, Entertainment & Recreation industry, the QWI data provide insights into the age of workers, skewing much younger as expected, as well as the seasonality of this industry. This is a region with substantial tourism activity, but without a major ski area. Thus, the seasonal peak is in summer rather than winter.

Upper Arkansas Counties Top Ten Industry Sectors by Employment

Sector Emp.

Public Administration 3,704

Health Care & Social Assistance 2,289

Retail Trade 1,630

Accommodation & Food Services 1,002

Educational Services 915

Construction 574

Manufacturing 533

Transportation & Warehousing 318

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 295

Other Services 238

Fremont County [12,757]

Sector Emp.

Retail Trade 117

Public Administration 107

Accommodation & Food Services 105

Construction 97

Health Care & Social Assistance 87

Manufacturing 51

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 36

Professional & Technical Services 32

Other Services 26

Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting 21

Custer County [874]*

Sector Emp.

Accommodation & Food Services 1,186

Retail Trade 974

Public Administration 862

Health Care & Social Assistance 846

Construction 538

Educational Services 525

Arts, Entertainment & Recreation 479

Finance & Insurance 239

Wholesale Trade 229

Professional & Technical Services 228

Chaffee County [6,999]

Sector Emp.

Public Administration 396

Educational Services 367

Accommodation & Food Services 313

Construction 263

Retail Trade 216

Administrative & Waste Services 104

Professional & Technical Services 97

Other Services 79

Wholesale Trade 79

Manufacturing 73

Park County [2,215]

ChaffeeArts, Entertainment

&Recreation5.1

CusterAgriculture, Forestry,

Fishing & Hunting3.13

FremontHealth Care & Social

Assistance1.71

ParkConstruction

3.26

Location QuotientsMeasures the concentration of an industry’s employment in a specified area versus the reference area of the US as a whole. Data are from 2014.

Local Economic Comparisons

Upper Arkansas Occupations

Industries

Fastest Growing Occupation Groups and 2014 Wages

Occupation Title Employment Average Hourly Wage

Average Annual Wage

Annual Percent Change 2014-2024

Construction & Extraction 1,196 $19.14 $39,818 2.47%

Art,Design,Entertainment, Sports & Media 253 $16.48 $34,280 1.79%

Building & Grounds Maintenance 1,035 $12.64 $26,300 1.60%

Sales & Related 2,233 $13.59 $28,274 1.46%

Healthcare Practitioners & Technical 1,373 $30.43 $63,289 1.32%

Installation, Maintenance & Repair 1032 $20.99 $43,652 1.27%

Computer & Mathematical 211 $30.48 $63,394 1.25%

Legal 116 $34.52 $71,804 1.22%

Healthcare Support 632 $13.24 $27,547 1.21%

Education, Training & Library 1,182 $19.44 $40,427 1.20%

Area Average Weekly Wage

Per capita personal

income, 2014

Cost of Living

State of Colorado $1,071 $48,869 100.0

Chaffee $631 $35,391 96.4

Custer $549 $39,355 94.2

Fremont $707 $29,266 92.2

Park $633 $36,899 100.0

Occupational Projections: 2014-2024

Annual Avg. Openings Due to Replacement Annual Avg. Openings Due to Growth

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90

Transporta�on and Material MovingSales and RelatedProtec�ve Service

Produc�onPersonal Care and Service

Office and Administra�ve SupportManagement

Life, Physical, and Social ScienceLegal

Installa�on, Maintenance, and RepairHealthcare Support

Healthcare Prac��oners and TechnicalFood Prepara�on and Serving Related

Farming, Fishing, and ForestryEduca�on, Training, and Library

Construc�on and Extrac�onComputer and Mathema�cal

Community and Social ServicesBusiness and Financial Opera�ons

Building and Grounds Cleaning and MaintenanceArts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media

Architecture and Engineering

Confiden�al

Confiden�al

Top industries within the region’s counties reflect their economic base. Fremont County’s correctional facilities result in a high number of Public Administration employees, as well as Health Care and Social Assistance. In Chaffee County, Accommodation & Food Services along with Retail Trade indicates its tourism activity. Custer and Park counties both have relatively low wage & salary employment bases so top industries are dominated by public sector jobs.

Wages, Income and Cost of Living Comparison

Source: LMI - 2014 QCEW Annual Data.

Source: BLS Location Quotient Calculator. Source: LMI - Occupational Employment Projections Unit.

Source: LMI - Occupational Employment Projections Unit.

Source: Average Weekly Wage: 2014 QCEW Per caita Personal Income: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic AnalysisCost of Living: Colorado Legislative Council Cost of Living Index.