Survey: Coloradans are working more for less pay

DENVER -- Employers in Colorado are paying workers less while increasing the amount of time they’re on the clock, according to data released Monday by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Over the year, the average workweek for all employees on private nonfarm payrolls increased from 33.4 to 33.8 hours and average hourly earnings decreased from $27.41 to $26.70.

While wages are going down, more jobs are being added. Employers in Colorado added 50,200 jobs over the year, with the largest increase in the private sector. The largest private sector job gains were in education and health services, leisure and hospitality, and professional and business services. Mining and logging, and manufacturing declined over the year.

Over the year, the unemployment rate is down five-tenths of a percentage point from 3.4 percent and is at the lowest level since it was 2.8 percent in February 2001.