Workforce

Workforce

Talent Thrives Here

Northern Colorado’s workforce is setting the pace for the rest of the nation in terms of growth and employment. With access to superior education systems and world-class institutions, the region’s talent is thriving.

Labor Force Statistics: Annual Average – Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado Total20102011201220132014
Total Unemployed25,09023,58622,01019,30114,162
Total Employed276,821281,499287,835295,456309,205
Total Labor Force301,911305,085309,845314,757323,367
Unemployment Rate8.3%7.7%7.1%6.1%4.4%
Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Labor Force Employment and Unemployment.

Labor Force Statistics: Annual Average – Larimer and Weld Counties

Larimer Colorado Total20102011201220132014
Larimer County
Total Unemployed12,97612,09411,38110,0667,578
Total Employed157,025158,736161,451164,878169,686
Total Labor Force170,001170,830172,832174,944177,264
Unemployment Rate7.6%7.1%6.6%5.8%4.3%
Weld County
Total Unemployed12,11411,49210,6299,2356,584
Total Employed119,796122,763126,384130,578139,519
Total Labor Force131,910134,255137,013139,813146,103
Unemployment Rate9.2%8.6%7.8%6.6%4.5%
Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Labor Force Employment and Unemployment.

Covered Employment by Major Industry: Annual Average 2014

Industry DescriptionLarimerWeldN. CO Total
Private Sector
- Agriculture6773,6814,358
- Mining5628,4208,982
- Utilities234323557
- Construction9,1629,86719,029
- Manufacturing12,13511,76823,903
- Wholesale Trade3,8373,9677,804
- Retail Trade17,3899,13725,526
- Transportation & Warehousing2,4483,5475,995
- Information2,5266543,180
- Finance & Insurance3,4563,0406,496
- Real Estate, Rental & Leasing2,4221,2133,635
- Professional & Technical Services9,9222,36012,282
- Management of Companies7861,3452,131
- Administrative & Waste Services8,4846,08614,570
- Educational Services1,4083961,804
- Healthcare & Social Assistance13,3508,19321,543
- Arts, Entertainment, & Recreation2,2039143,117
- Accommodations & Food Services16,7707,00123,771
- Other Services3,9262,0896,015
- Non-classifiable312455
Government30,02314,50644,529
Total All Industries141,74898,530240,278
Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Labor Market Information, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW).

Education

K-12 Education Statistics

School Year
Enrollment2014-201587,281
Number of Schools2014-2015170
Pupil/Teacher Ratio2014-201517.7
Dropout Rate (grades 7-12)2013-20141.9%
Completer Rate2013-201480.3%
Graduation Rate2013-201482.9%
Source: Colorado Department of Education

Shares of Population Age 25 and Over by Educational Attainment (2014)

Percent of Total
Northern Colorado
Percent with high school diploma or higher92.5
Percent with bachelor's degree or higher35.0
Colorado
Percent with high school diploma or higher90.5
Percent with bachelor's degree or higher38.3
US Average
Percent with high school diploma or higher86.9
Percent with bachelor's degree or higher30.1

Higher Education Facilities in Metro Denver and Northern Colorado

Fall 2014 Enrollment
Four Year Public Colleges and Universities
Colorado School of Mines - Golden5,795
Colorado State University - Fort Collins, Denver27,503
Metropolitan State University - Denver21,123
University of Colorado Boulder30,570
University of Colorado Denver18,498
University of Northern Colorado - Greeley10,275
Four Year Private Colleges and Universities
Colorado Christian University - Lakewood5,368
Johnson & Wales - Denver1,391
Regis University - Denver9,722
University of Denver - Denver11,556
University of Phoenix - Metro Denver campuses2,106
Two Year Public Colleges
Aims Community College - Greeley5,001
Arapahoe Community College - Littleton10,404
Community College of Aurora7,617
Community College of Denver10,296
Front Range Community College - Westminster, Fort Collins18,761
Red Rocks Community College - Lakewood8,112
Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education and individual schools.

College Entrance Exam Scores

ACT Composite Score - 2015
Northern Colorado20.2
Colorado20.7
U.S. Average21.0
SAT 2015
Critical Reading
Colorado582
U.S. Average495
Math
Colorado587
U.S. Average511
Writing
Colorado567
U.S. Average484
Sources: Colorado Department of Education; ACT, Inc.; and College Board.

Higher Education Degrees and Certificates Awarded: Four Year Public Schools 2013-2014

SchoolBachelor'sMaster'sDoctoralTotal
University of Northern Colorado-Greeley2,148691962,395
Colorado State University-Ft. Collins5,1101,6252306,965
Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Higher Education Degrees and Certificates Awarded: Two Year Public Schools 2013-2014

SchoolCertificateAssociateTotal
Aims Community College9335541,487
Front Range Community College1,9901,5913,581
Source: Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Get Connected

Get in touch