Labor Force/Employment

Colorado

2,760,000

2,300,000

3,370,000

2,800,000

4,000,000

3,300,000

Front Range

Eastern Plains & San Luis Valley

100,000

120,000

150,000

1.8%

2.3%

2.0%

1.7%

2.0%

1.7%

Industry Sector	Average # of Jobs	# of employees	Total Wages 2007	Average Annual Wage
Agriculture Forest Fish Hunting	335	45	$1,736,446	$20,748
Mining*	456	9	$6,911,950	$60,632
Utilities	67	14	$1,347,549	$80,444
Construction	604	14	$4,392,061	$29,068
Manufacturing	631	14	$4,932,485	$29,068
Wholesale Trade	258	43	$2,069,694	$32,084
Retail Trade	1,322	133	$6,968,831	$21,060
Transportation & Warehousing	74	24	$833,082	$45,032
Information*	136	20	$720,921	$21,216
Finance & Insurance	269	43	$2,108,337	$31,356
Real Estate Rental & Leasing	104	39	$650,858	$25,012
Professional & Technical Svcs.	236	89	$1,384,438	$23,452
Management of Companies	D	D	D	D
Administrative & Waste Services	334	32	$2,150,195	$25,740
Educational Services	2	3	$7,100	$14,196
Healthcare & Social Assistance^	887	71	$4,340,680	$19,552
Arts, Entertainment & Recreation	36	15	$862,496	$95,836
Accomodation & Food Services	778	70	$2,296,601	$11,804
Other Services	201	57	$1,523,866	$30,316
Non-Classifiable	D	D	D	D
Government	2,287	51	$20,262,909	$35,464

An employer’s unemployment insurance tax liability is based on the taxable wage base, which is the first $10,000 of each worker’s wages. If covered for the first time, the tax rate will be 1.7% of the wage base rate, plus an annually computed surtax. For calendar year 2003, the surtax is .22%, for a total of 1.92%. After twelve months, the employer is eligible for a calculated rate.

Specific information on the tax rate for a business can be obtained from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Unemployment Insurance Tax Branch at (303) 381-9100 or on the web at

Worker’s compensation insurance is provided by over 200 private insurance companies and the State Compensation Insurance Fund, d.b.a. Pinnacol Assurance, and independent political subdivision of the state which operates as a worker’s compensation insurance company. The fund is a permanent, self-sustaining, non-profit service organization operated for the benefit of its policyholders and their employees. Self-insurance is an option, available by special permit specifying strict financial and loss control standards, for companies employing 300 or more Colorado employees.

Major worker’s compensation reforms have resulted in effective cost containment. These cuts have saved employers well over $100 million in premiums alone, with total savings calculated at $1.5 billion when benefits from fraud prevention and safety programs are included. Within the United States, Colorado ranks in the middle for overall workers’ compensation costs.

For more information on worker’s compensation, please see the Department of Labor & Employment, Workers’ Compensation web site at