On October 22nd the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported the U.S. added 148,000 jobs in the month of September. For the first 9 months of 2013, U.S. employment increased at an average rate of 177,000 jobs per month. This is below the monthly average for 2012 (185,000) and slightly above the monthly average for 2011 (175,000).
Given the fact that the government shutdown delayed the publication of the jobs data, many economists believe the September value is nothing more than a placeholder that will be revised downward on November 8.
U.S. job growth was strong in the first quarter of 2013, but it has grown at a slower rate as the year has progressed. A similar pattern has occurred in Colorado.
On a positive note, the rate of growth for the state has remained stronger than the nation.
Note: The recent BLS projections do not account for job reductions attributed to the Government shutdown.
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