Larimer County, Colorado:

Workforce Profile, Labor Market Information & Workforce Resources

Northern Colorado is known for its highly qualified, engaged and well-educated workforce. 

The Northern Colorado Underemployment report (October 2007) shows the potential for employers to capture a workforce ready and looking for opportunities to advance. 

Workforce Profile

Source: Minnesota IMPLAN Group, Inc. (2000)

The total number of estimated employees located in Larimer County in 2004 was 143,295. The largest major occupation group was Office and Administrative Support Occupations, with 15 percent of the estimated employment, followed by Sales and Related Occupations with 12 percent, and Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations with 8 percent.   

Top 10 Sectors by Employment
State & Local Government - Education
Eating & Drinking
Real Estate
Miscellaneous Retail
Personnel Supply Services
General Merchandise Stores
State & Local Government
New Residential Structures
Electronic Computers
Doctors and Dentists

Top Sectors by Production
Real Estate
Electronic Computers
New Residential Structures
State & Local Government - Education
Instruments To Measure Electricity
Malt Beverages
Doctors and Dentists

Top Primary Sectors
Malt Beverages
Electronic Computers
Internal Combustion Engines
Instruments To Measure Electricity
Computer Peripheral Equipment
Semiconductors and Related Devices
Miscellaneous Plastics Products
Analytical Instruments
Cement, Hydraulics
Periodicals
Electric Housewares and Fans

Industry Summary

Situated along the Front Range and I-25 corridor, and also very close to the Rocky Mountains, Larimer County has a critical mass to attract major employers, but remains a relatively affordable and rural destination for workers.

Several high-technology manufacturers have operations in Larimer, including Hewlett-Packard, Celestica, and LSI Logic. Anheuser Busch and Teledyne WaterPik represent some other large employers.

Colorado State University is the largest single employer and houses several research centers. The county also benefits from substantial federal research grants in the agriculture and forestry fields.

Construction and manufacturing have fast-growing output and incomes, which reflects the housing boom in this county. But the core employers remain high-technology, manufacturing, the university, and farming/ranching.

Source: OEDIT Region 2 Report

Labor Market Information

Area Wages

The following average wage information assumes a 40-hour week worked throughout the year.

Here is a list of average weekly wage information for Larimer County . These figures are for the 1st Quarter 2008:

Source: Colorado Department of Labor 

Unemployment Rates & Labor Force

These figures were reported as of October 2008 and are not seasonally adjusted. 

Source: LAUS Unit, LAUS System output file

Visit Colorado Department of Labor & Employment for more statistics.

Workforce Resources

LARIMER COUNTY WORKFORCE CENTER
Fort Collins Office
200 West Oak Street, Fifth Floor
Fort Collins, CO 80521
970.498.6600

Loveland Office
418 East 4th Street
Loveland, CO 80537
970.667.4261

The Larimer County Workforce Center provides convenient access to resources and information to help employers have more successful and profitable businesses. We are dedicated to serving you by providing you with qualified and work-ready Job Seekers registered with our office. At the Workforce Center, you will meet trained staff that can assist you with your job placement needs. All services provided by the Workforce Center are free to employers and include:
• Posting your job in our office and on the Internet
• Computerized job-to-job seeker matching system
• Access to a large and diverse pool of job seekers
• Referral of qualified job seekers
• Layoff assistance
• Monthly business seminars
• Conference rooms for interviewing and testing
• Internet access
• Job fairs
• Labor market information
• Professional guidance and assistance

COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR EMPLOYER SERVICES
A network of Workforce Centers providing services to business owners, employers and employees.

To find a workforce center in your area, please visit: www.coworkforce.com/emp/wfcs.asp.

Posting a job opening for your company can be done online.

Other State services include:  

• FEDERAL BONDING PROGRAM
  This is a business insurance policy that protects the employer in case of any loss of money or property due to
  employee dishonesty. It is like a "guarantee" to the employer that the person hired will be an honest worker.
• SCREENING AND REFERRAL
  Employers may list their job openings with a local Workforce Center and obtain assistance with the screening and referral of qualified applicants. Interviewers will match the experience and capabilities of applicants with the job requirements specified by the employer. Employers will make the hiring decisions.
• MASS RECRUITMENT
  Employers expanding their business or newly locating in Colorado may take advantage of mass hiring services offered by Workforce Centers. Special recruitment efforts are also undertaken for agricultural employers. WFC staff can conduct some or all of an employer's application taking and screening on-site or at the Work Force Center.
• AFFIRMATIVE ACTION RECRUITING
  Employers may list an "Affirmative Action Job Order" with a Workforce Center to assist in meeting Affirmative Action hiring goals.
• LAYOFF ASSISTANCE
  A customized package of services can be put together for businesses laying off workers. Work Force Center and State staff can provide unemployment insurance claims processing as well as job placement assistance. Other services may include providing workers with labor market information, employee job search workshops and referral to agencies providing retraining assistance.
• FOREIGN LABOR CERTIFICATION
  When employers anticipate a shortage of U.S. workers, they may request permission to bring in nonimmigrant foreign workers through the Foreign H2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Labor Certification program. Also if a business owner needs a specialty occupation (H-1B) or PERM program labor certification prevailing wage information, please visit:
  www.coworkforce.com/emp/h1bform.htm.
  For employers seeking temporary or seasonal agricultural workers (H2A) please visit: http://www.foreignlaborcert.doleta.gov/wages.cfm
• CLEARANCE
  (Intrastate/Interstate) - If employers have temporary agricultural labor shortages in their geographic areas, their job orders may be disseminated to other parts of Colorado or other states for worker recruitment.
• NETWORK OF SERVICES
  Workforce Centers maintain close relationships with other service providers that are a part of local employment and training networks. Employers needing services not offered by the Work Force Centers may request referral to appropriate agencies.
• EARLY INTERVENTION
  Employers can request on-site work registration services in advance of a large layoff or plant closure to assist their workers in obtaining new employment.