Why is our unemployment so much higher in CO than surrounding states? (Pueblo: 2013, lawyers)

[DOUBLE H]

Originally Posted by ryanek9freak

Many people, like Jazz said, come here without employment, thinking it's some grand mecca to live in, few realize that if you come here, you're pretty much stuck living somewhere on the Front Range, and the job market is super competitive.

Ryanek9freak is right, the employers are calling the shots here-and a half. The figures I saw on Grand Junction's CBS affiliate, KREX, is that Colorado's unemployment for January dropped from 8% to 7.9%. And where I live in Mesa County the unemployment rate comes in at 9%. My own experience regarding Colorado recessions is that when the country falls into a recession, Colorado is the last one in and the last one out. And regards to Colorado in general Mesa County falls into that same classification. Just my opinion.

[ryanek9freak]

The Springs is getting kinda hard. Used to be in my field, I could quit one day and find another job the next, those days are gone.

I'm a heavy equipment mechanic, and my career is tied heavily to new home construction. I just recently found a job after being out of work for over a month, and I practically had to get on my knees and beg for it.

[Teckeeee]

Originally Posted by DOUBLE H

Ryanek9freak is right, the employers are calling the shots here-and a half. The figures I saw on Grand Junction's CBS affiliate, KREX, is that Colorado's unemployment for January dropped from 8% to 7.9%. And where I live in Mesa County the unemployment rate comes in at 9%. My own experience regarding Colorado recessions is that when the country falls into a recession, Colorado is the last one in and the last one out. And regards to Colorado in general Mesa County falls into that same classification. Just my opinion.

I feel for you. There are far fewer employers in Western Colorado than Denver Metro or the Springs.

[jwiley]

Originally Posted by dude_reino

Because it is far easier to 'live off the dole' here. Unemployment statistics only count people who have applied for unemployment insurance. I would assume many unemployed people in WY and NE aren't collecting anything..

the unemployment rate is not calculated by the people who are filing for unemployment, it is a common falicy but not true, it is calculated based on a survey/

How the Government Measures Unemployment

Fact is Colorado is always going to be behind the rest of the countries economy with their dependence on tourism, especially with the constant attacks on the oil & gas industries and the lack of water directly affecting agricultural land so much. Fact is the Colorado tried to go after the IT industry and did ok for awhile but as more areas went after that, and outsourcing became more common that industry collapsed as did the telecom industry. Until Colorado figures out some new industries or makes their rules more bearable the state is going to continue to struggle, you cannot expect anything different when your state seems happy being a glorified vacation spot.

[brightdoglover]

Uh... "F.I.R.E. economy?"
Federal
I...?
Retirees
E...??

Is E real estate?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Uh... "F.I.R.E. economy?"
Federal
I...?
Retirees
E...??

Is E real estate?

Finance, Insurance, Real Estate.

[brightdoglover]

Aha, thank you.
Where I live, the booming sector is creating new life forms (biotech).
Do Finance and Insurance refer to national centers for national companies, corporate HQ and so on? Or is Finance crazy sub-prime-basement loans for said real estate?

[jazzlover]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

Aha, thank you.
Or is Finance crazy sub-prime-basement loans for said real estate?

Yup. Plenty of which is now in foreclosure.

[brightdoglover]

The Ouray-Ridgway newspaper (which I get here in Mass.) advertises "R&R Ranch," said ranch being 27 acres with, among other buildings, a 15,000 sq.ft. "house" built in 2007 "has never been lived in." Full frontal log prow with three stories of windows, just that homey kinda feel we all want. Apparently great views from everywhere. Was listed as originally at over $9 million, now opening bid $2.7 million.

[zenkonami]

Come for the purple mountains majesty...

...stay for the unemployment!