Our Best Resource Is Our Workforce

One of the best natural resources in Northern Colorado is its enthusiastic, highly-educated workforce. The influence of Colorado State University, and other regional colleges and universities, is undeniable. Colorado ranking 5th in the nation has 33.7 percent of its residents with a bachelor’s degree.

Northern Colorado is also well known for its numerous high-tech employers, which draw a wealth of knowledge based employees. Those employees, and their families, add an additional appeal to this community, as they represent a rich pool of potential workers.

Northern Colorado commands the second largest labor force in Colorado, just behind that of the Denver Metropolitan Area to the south. The region’s workforce is a fluid one. Transportation corridors linking Northern Colorado communities make it possible for workers to choose to live in one community and work in another.

Northern Colorado's diversified, thriving economy offers residents numerous employment options.

The distinct personalities of the towns dotting Northern Colorado along with their geographical closeness means families find an array of career opportunities. Easy access to Interstate 25, considered Northern Colorado's "Main Street," puts the region's communities in touch with a broad range of employment possibilities, whether in Berthoud, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Johnstown, Loveland, Wellington, or Windsor. NCEDC works closely with the Larimer County Workforce Center, to insure a wide variety of employment opportunities and workforce training.

Unemployment Rate
	2000	2007	February 2008 (Not Seasonal Adjusted)
Nation	4.0%	5.0%	4.8%
State	2.7%	4.0%	4.4%
County	2.5%	3.8%	4.3%

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor
April 2, 2008

Union Membership:

Northern Colorado has a low level of union activity, particularly in the manufacturing sector.
• Brick Tile and Marble Union Local 7 – Denver
• Communications Workers of America Local 7707 – Fort 
  Collins
• Millwright-Mill Cabinet Local Union 2834 – Denver
• Northern Colorado Labor Council AFL CIO – Fort Collins
• Teamsters Local Union #267 – LaPorte

Worker's Compensation:

Worker’s compensation insurance is provided by over 200 private companies authorized to conduct business in the State of Colorado. Coverage for the majority of Colorado employers is provided by the State Compensation Insurance Fund, doing business as Pinnacol Assurance. The fund is a permanent, self-sustaining, nonprofit service organization operated for the benefit of its Policyholders and their employees.

Employers meeting strict financial and loss control standards are permitted to self-insure under Colorado law. Recent reforms have resulted in significant premium reductions for most employers. These reductions have saved Colorado employers well over $100 million in insurance premiums alone. Colorado ranks in the middle group of states in comparative worker’s compensation costs.

*Source: Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

In addition to the resources provided on the right, please visit the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment for searchable data about Larimer County.  Visit
http://lmigateway.coworkforce.com/lmigateway/