© 2024
NPR for Northern Colorado
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Economic Indicators up Overall for Mountain States, Down Slightly in Colorado

A leading business conditions survey shows a strong start to the New Year for the mountain states of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah.

A score above 50 from the Creighton Economic Forecast Group indicates growth over the next three to six months. As a region the mountains states dropped slightly from December to 56.2 in January. Ernie Goss is director of the forecasting group. He says the numbers are strong even though Colorado’s overall score of 54.9 was the lowest.

“The manufacturing sector, durable and non-durable goods in Colorado is weaker in Colorado than in Utah and Wyoming. So even though we are seeing much better numbers for the region, Colorado is not quite as strong as the other two states,” says Goss.

But the January survey of supply managers shows business confidence in the three state region climbing to 75 up from 64.8 in December. Even with high unemployment rates, Goss says this could translate into more hiring. He adds the mountain state numbers closely mirror those of the nation – which posted their highest readings since May of 2004.

Email: brian.larson@kunc.org