Counties with the highest unemployment in Colorado

2024 ended on a high note, with the unemployment rate relatively unchanged at 4.1%, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Jan. 10.

Unemployment rates were higher in November than the prior year in 308 of 389 metro areas, though they dropped in 60 areas and remained unchanged in 21 areas, the BLS reported.

The lion's share of job growth remained in government, social assistance, and health care, with openings in nursing, residential care facilities, and home health care leading employment in the latter sector.

To get a glimpse of regional variations in employment, Stacker compiled a list of counties with the highest unemployment rates in Colorado, using BLS data. Counties are ranked by their preliminary unemployment rate in November 2024, with initial ties broken by the number of unemployed people within that county, though some ties may remain. County-level unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted.

Key takeaways: Biden's economic legacy, inauguration day, and immigration's impact on jobs

The latest BLS report highlights the final job figures under the Biden administration, giving the outgoing president a win during his final weeks in office. President Biden highlighted the creation of 16.6 million jobs during his term in a Jan. 11 statement.

"Although I inherited the worst economic crisis in decades with unemployment above 6% when I took office, we've had the lowest average unemployment rate of any administration in 50 years with unemployment at 4.1% as I leave," he said.

Incoming President-elect Donald Trump will inherit a strong economy, with forecasts tracking ongoing growth into 2025. However, uncertainty remains. Trump's proposed tariffs on foreign goods coupled with a sweeping deportation operation may have a significant impact on the economy, accelerating inflation and tamping down job growth, some experts forecast.

"I worry that immigration will be significantly lower than the long-term average of 1.0 million. I worry that tariffs will be universal and lead to a trade war. That would not be good for the economy and earnings," Hugh Johnson, chairman emeritus at Graypoint, told U.S. News.

What does all this mean for middle-class Americans? The unemployment rate is projected to remain stable, only creeping up to 4.3%, according to the Federal Reserve's latest Summary of Economic Projections. Experts suggest paying down mortgages, revisiting investment strategies, and paying attention to taxes before rates possibly shift as Inauguration Day draws close.

The big story: California wildfires still rage

Although Goldman predicts only a "modest drag" on U.S. jobs due to the devastating California wildfires, the situation is still ongoing. Small businesses destroyed by the fires will impact local jobs; in the wake of the fires, a surge in construction and the need for labor and materials might lead to localized shortages and rising costs, impacting several industries.

However, amid political and environmental uncertainty, it's unclear which way the winds will blow. Americans will have to simply wait for the smoke to clear.

To get a better idea of your community's current economy, read on to see the counties with the highest unemployment in Colorado.

#50. Park County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,637 people (452 unemployed)

#49. Routt County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 3.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 16,187 people (625 unemployed)

#48. Kiowa County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 766 people (31 unemployed)

#47. Sedgwick County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,069 people (43 unemployed)

#46. Lincoln County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,219 people (89 unemployed)

#45. Morgan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 15,189 people (608 unemployed)

#44. Elbert County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 15,939 people (643 unemployed)

#43. Larimer County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 218,620 people (8,793 unemployed)

#42. Clear Creek County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,213 people (253 unemployed)

#41. Logan County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 9,921 people (403 unemployed)

#40. La Plata County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.3 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 31,005 people (1,262 unemployed)

#39. Boulder County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.1%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 205,571 people (8,449 unemployed)

#38. Gunnison County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,203 people (465 unemployed)

#37. Garfield County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 30,979 people (1,297 unemployed)

#36. Douglas County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 211,553 people (9,095 unemployed)

#35. Jefferson County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 347,914 people (14,919 unemployed)

#34. Arapahoe County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.3%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 380,084 people (16,518 unemployed)

#33. Hinsdale County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 366 people (16 unemployed)

#32. Chaffee County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,243 people (447 unemployed)

#31. Teller County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 13,824 people (611 unemployed)

#30. Broomfield County/city

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.4%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 43,312 people (1,889 unemployed)

#29. Bent County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,772 people (80 unemployed)

#28. Montrose County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.4 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 21,541 people (961 unemployed)

#27. Eagle County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 33,670 people (1,520 unemployed)

#26. Dolores County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 1.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,045 people (48 unemployed)

#25. Archuleta County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 6,634 people (306 unemployed)

#24. Mesa County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 76,834 people (3,559 unemployed)

#23. El Paso County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 370,857 people (17,194 unemployed)

#22. Rio Blanco County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,667 people (125 unemployed)

#21. Weld County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.5 percentage points
- Total labor force: 173,386 people (8,085 unemployed)

#20. Conejos County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,590 people (173 unemployed)

#19. Adams County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
--- 1-month change: No change
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 285,890 people (13,858 unemployed)

#18. Denver County/city

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 4.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 443,824 people (21,176 unemployed)

#17. Mineral County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 518 people (26 unemployed)

#16. Saguache County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.8 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 3,189 people (158 unemployed)

#15. Delta County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.0%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 13,689 people (687 unemployed)

#14. Alamosa County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.4 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,534 people (382 unemployed)

#13. Montezuma County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.8 percentage points
- Total labor force: 11,559 people (593 unemployed)

#12. Custer County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.2 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,987 people (103 unemployed)

#11. Ouray County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.2%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.6 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,305 people (121 unemployed)

#10. Crowley County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.5%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.7 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,334 people (73 unemployed)

#9. Costilla County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 1,833 people (107 unemployed)

#8. Otero County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.5 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.1 percentage points
- Total labor force: 7,484 people (434 unemployed)

#7. Rio Grande County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.9 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,847 people (288 unemployed)

#6. Pueblo County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 5.9%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.6 percentage points
- Total labor force: 76,199 people (4,475 unemployed)

#5. Pitkin County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.4%
--- 1-month change: Up 1.0 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 1.9 percentage points
- Total labor force: 10,843 people (690 unemployed)

#4. Fremont County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.6%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 14,415 people (952 unemployed)

#3. Las Animas County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.7%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.2 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.0 percentage points
- Total labor force: 5,704 people (385 unemployed)

#2. San Miguel County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 6.8%
--- 1-month change: Up 3.1 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 4.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 4,994 people (339 unemployed)

#1. Huerfano County

- November unemployment rate (preliminary): 7.1%
--- 1-month change: Up 0.7 percentage points
--- 1-year change: Up 2.3 percentage points
- Total labor force: 2,482 people (177 unemployed)

This story features data reporting by Elena Cox, writing by Alizah Salario, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.