By admin 
Tamara Chuang
Business/Technology Reporter
When last month’s state jobs data showed that Colorado’s labor force had shrunk again, the decline was attributed largely to an aging workforce and slower population growth.
Read more Amendment 85 seeks to make Colorado’s ballot easier to read. But it’s not that simple.
But there’s another contributor that hasn’t been part of the regular monthly report: adults who left the workforce but want back in.
Tim Wonhof, director of the state’s Office of Labor Market Information, tracks that stat — though he cautions that it’s based on a small sample size. There are an estimated 116,300 people who left the labor force but want a job right now, up from 78,800 four years ago. That’s about 10% of those who aren’t part of the labor force, according to state labor data.
“While the vast majority of individuals outside the labor force do not want a job, recent data shows a rise in the proportion of non-participants who express a desire to work,” Wonhof said in an email.
About 62% of those who are no longer in the labor market are folks age 55 years and older, so that’s likely due to retirement, though it could also be a mix of discouragement, health challenges or other reasons. Reasons why aren’t available by age group.
Among the people no longer in the labor force but available to work, the number who left because they’re discouraged about the dismal job market has declined slightly since 2023. But there’s been growth in folks who stopped looking for another reason. Wonhof calls that the “marginally attached to the labor force” group.
“Since 2022 our estimate for this group has more than doubled,” he said. The group now numbers around 33,000, up from 14,000 four years ago. “Specifically, these individuals want and would accept a job, but are not actively seeking work right now due to reasons including but not limited to family obligations, education, or personal health.”
This is the blue bar in the chart below, provided by the labor department (and available as an interactive chart online):
Overall, there are still 3.18 million people in the state’s labor force and the state had a labor force participation rate of 65.2%, which is much higher than the U.S. average of 61.8% in September. But Colorado’s labor force has shrunk by about 95,000 people in two years, although these estimates can also change when new population numbers come out.
Another group of workers in the labor force work part time but wish they had full-time hours. The number of these “involuntary part-time workers” has dropped over the past year.
“This can mean two things: some workers successfully secured hours/full-time positions, while others facing scheduling or personal constraints stopped looking altogether and exited the workforce, reducing both overall participation and the involuntary part-time share,” Wonhof said.
➔ Are you a marginally-attached worker in Colorado? Share your story by emailing [email protected]
$6.50+/gallon for diesel gas
If you think gasoline prices are getting too high again, talk to someone who spends their time driving trucks that require diesel. Or to someone running a trucking company like Jim White, who works alongside his brother Dave at the third-generation family business JFW Trucking in Commerce City.
“A year ago, and I’m breaking this down real quickly to a week and we get a couple loads of fuel a week, it used to be $36,000. Now it’s $76,000 or $80,000 depending on when we get it,” Jim White said, following a listening session hosted by U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper on Thursday.
“It’s 34% of our costs this year. Last year, it was 23% of our cost,” added his brother, Dave.
While the company can add a fuel surcharge, they can only adjust it every 30 days so they lose money in between if gas prices go up after a new surcharge is implemented. That’s what has happened this year for gas prices ever since the war in Iran began in February.
According to travel company AAA, a gallon of regular gas in Colorado was $4.28 on Friday, up 46% from a year ago. Diesel prices? $6.55 a gallon, up 90% from a year ago. It’s also up 83% since Feb. 28 when the U.S. war with Iran began.
Nationwide, the average price for a gallon was $4.29. But for diesel, it was $6.31. California took the lead for highest average state prices, at $6.06 for a gallon of regular gas and $8.48 for diesel as of Friday.
Take the reader poll: Inflation anyone?
Inflation ticked up and unemployment increased last month. How is the economy treating you? Take the latest What’s Working poll to help us better understand what’s going on in Colorado.
Here you go >> cosun.co/WWinflation26
Sun economy stories you may have missed
➔ Colorado may increase taxes on the rich. When Massachusetts did, the wealthy overwhelmingly stayed put. Bay State voters increased income taxes on earnings over $1 million to 9% from 5% in 2022 >> Read story
➔ Colorado has enough spare winter electricity to replace furnaces with heat pumps, report says. RMI national study highlights cold winter states with opportunities to convert millions of furnaces to renewable energy heating >> Read story
➔ RTD will offer free bus service along key routes to ease the ride for Sundance crowds. The international film festival in January, usually a slow month in Boulder, will trigger a massive influx of visitors. Buses will add service and extend hours. >> Read story
➔ Supersonic aircraft maker Boom will build turbines to power data centers at new factory in Centennial. Boom hopes to deliver planes in 2030, but will apply its engine tech to propel AI data centers — without consuming electricity or water — right now >> Read story
➔ Residents to Nederland leaders: End the deal to buy Eldora ski area immediately. Trustees worry that ending the $225 million bid for the Boulder County ski hill will flush $2.5 million down the toilet >> Read story
➔ Colorado businesses near this national park are working together to ride out seasonal ups and downs. In Mancos, the gateway to Mesa Verde National Park, business owners survive lean times by sharing services and collaborating on ways to bring people downtown >> Read story
➔ Lots more Election 2026 coverage right HERE
Support The Sun Become a member!
Other working bits
➔ BAE Systems picks Weld County and plans to add up to 600 new jobs. Government contractor BAE Systems said this week that it completed the purchase of a 130,000 square-foot production facility on 13 acres in Weld County. It now must retrofit the site to have it operating by early 2028. The company plans to hire 200 new employees in the next two years in positions that include manufacturing technicians, manufacturing engineers, machinists, production supervisors and more. At full capacity, the site could employ 600.
Earlier this year, the state’s Economic Development Commission approved $11.2 million in potential incentives that are awarded as state income tax credits after new employees are on the job. Average annual wages as part of BAE’s ”Project Mercury” incentive approval are $89,760.
BAE also was approved for additional incentives, according to the state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. Another $8.6 million was approved as part of the CHIPS Refundable Tax Credits (“Project Sodium”) and an Opportunity Now Tax Credit of $5.3 million in refundable tax credits on equipment purchases. Incentives are based on performance. BAE Systems also has production facilities in Boulder, Broomfield and Westminster, according to the company. >> Details
➔ Feds give state a $6.7M grant to focus on tech skills training. Colorado was one of seven states to split the $43 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. But the money must be used to upskill workers in “high-priority” industries like aerospace, advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies, according to the state labor department.
Employers are invited to participate in this new Colorado Industry Driven Skills
Training Initiative. Just reach out to your local workforce center. >> Here they are
➔ Take the AP Cybersecurity exam, get noticed by Colorado National Guard. That’s a new executive order signed this week by Gov. Jared Polis. High school students who take and do well on the Advanced Placement Cybersecurity exam will get higher consideration by the Colorado National Guard. The state’s labor development, public safety division and other state agencies must also work together to make it easier for those students to find a career path into cybersecurity.
The first AP Cybersecurity course began this semester with the first exams set for 2027, according to the College Board, which manages the program. College Board CEO David Coleman was present at the signing and said in a news release, “Colorado is showing what’s possible by opening pathways to college credit, careers, and service for young people in cybersecurity.” >> Read Gov’s order
➔ GFiber broadband coming to Colorado Springs in early 2027. It was previously known as Google Fiber, but dropped the Google moniker earlier this year. Both Google and gFiber have the same parent company Alphabet. But moving along… gFiber announced its expansion in the state after an agreement with Colorado Springs Utilities, which manages the city’s existing fiber pipe. Essentially, gFiber will lease access from the city and build out fiber service to homeowners. The company expects the first customers to be connected in early 2027.
Like the rest of its offerings, gFiber broadband speeds start at 1 gigabit for $70 a month, with the fastest speeds plan at $150 a month for 8 gigabits. GFiber currently offers service in Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Lakewood and Douglas County, with more Denver metro areas on the way. >> Details
➔ Colorado Gives Day starts Nov. 1. The actual day is Dec. 8 but the Colorado Gives Foundation knows that sometimes, people miss it if there’s just a single day. Since 2010, Coloradans have donated $581 million to a variety of organizations. More than 5,000 nonprofits are now involved. We’ll dig more into how last year went in a future column. >> Details
➔ Need flood insurance? There’s a new tool to get a quote. The state’s Division of Insurance highlighted a new tool from FEMA’s national Flood Insurance Program over at floodsmart.gov. The reason for the nudge by the state is that there have been a number of wildfires, leaving burn scars ripe for runoff (southwestern Colorado is currently flooding in some areas). Basic homeowners insurance does not typically provide protection from flood damage and when you buy it, there’s normally a 30-day waiting period for new flood insurance to go into effect. Insurance questions? Contact the Colorado Division of Insurance at doi.colorado.gov or call 303-894-7499/800-930-3745. >> More info
Got some economic news or business bits Coloradans should know? Tell us: cosun.co/heyww
Thanks for sticking with me for this week’s report. ~tamara
Miss a column? Catch up:
- A Durango nonprofit is using AI so caseworkers can spend more time with those in need
- What keeps some employers in Colorado? The skilled workforce
- Gov. Polis picks 91 Colorado regions for potentially billions in investment
- Denver business leaders change focus to what’s best about living, working in the city
- One Colorado gardener feeds dozens in a San Luis Valley food desert
- Colorado’s aerospace industry fears it may be losing ground
- Dustin Peyser built a chamber of commerce from scratch in Timnath. Then Timnath’s neighbor asked him to run its chamber.
What’s Working is a Colorado Sun column about surviving in today’s economy. Email [email protected] with stories, tips or questions. Read the archive, ask a question at cosun.co/heyww and don’t miss the next one by signing up at coloradosun.com/getww.
Support this free newsletter and become a Colorado Sun member: coloradosun.com/join
The Colorado Sun is part of The Trust Project. Read our policies.
Corrections & Clarifications
Notice something wrong? The Colorado Sun has an ethical responsibility to fix all factual errors. Request a correction by emailing [email protected].
Read more Colorado wants to house the proposed U.S. Space Academy. Does it have a chance?