Jobs in Denver Supported by New Plan

One official is working hard to retain and create jobs in Denver and throughout Colorado.

Mayor John Hickenlooper recently released his plan for creating jobs throughout the state. The backbone of the "Job Creation Roadmap" is to build up small businesses from the local level.

According to an article by The Denver Post, Hickenlooper has created a panel of 200 experts to focus on job creation and economic growth.

"We will work with regional and local officials to encourage a pro-business atmosphere throughout Colorado, melding Colorado's tourism marketing with business recruitment efforts and encouraging cross-marketing and branding for Colorado products and services," he said.

The region-specific plan would brand Colorado as an innovation hub with the goal of retaining current jobs, expanding local businesses and attracting new companies, and igniting entrepreneurial start-ups.

Under the plan, state officials would ask county businesses and leaders to advise economic experts in nine regions of Colorado. Those regional plans would then be used to guide the state's overall economic development strategy.

If Hickenlooper is elected governor and his plan is put into motion, it could help Colorado's somewhat improving economy.

During May, Colorado's unemployment rate remained at 8 percent for the second month in a row, after increasing from 7.9 percent during April.

The state had a total non-farm employment of 2,206,500 workers during May, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is up from 2,201,600 workers during April, but a 1.9 percent decrease from last year.

The Denver-Aurora-Broomfield area had a total non-farm employment of 1,181,300 workers during May, which is up from 1,169,300 workers during April, but a 2.1 percent decrease from the previous year.