Construction employment in Colorado posted modest gains early this year, even as hiring slowed across much of the country, according to new industry data.
The state added 1,000 construction jobs between January and February, a 0.2% increase, placing it among the stronger-performing states during that period, based on an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
Colorado’s gains tied with Nevada and Ohio for one of the largest monthly increases, reflecting continued demand for construction labor in select regional markets.
Nationally, however, employment trends were uneven. While 30 states and the District of Columbia added jobs over the past year, only 22 states reported gains from January to February, underscoring a broader slowdown in construction activity.
Across the U.S., Texas led job growth with 24,000 new construction positions over the past year, representing a 2.7% increase. Meanwhile, Montana recorded the highest percentage growth at 8.8%.
In contrast, California experienced the steepest annual decline, losing 10,300 construction jobs, followed by Florida and New York.
Short-term fluctuations also highlighted volatility in the sector. Florida posted the largest monthly gain with 1,100 jobs, while New Jersey saw the biggest drop, losing 5,900 positions during the same period.
Ken Simonson, chief economist for the contractors’ group, attributed recent hiring patterns to seasonal and project-related disruptions.
“Severe winter weather in late January and February probably led to a drop in the number of states with one-month job gains,” said Ken Simonson. “But construction is slowing in many parts of the country.”
Industry leaders say future hiring could hinge on federal infrastructure policy, particularly as the current transportation funding framework approaches expiration.
Jeffrey D. Shoaf, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, warned that uncertainty surrounding federal funding could disrupt project pipelines.
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“Unless Congress acts on time, state and local transportation officials will have a hard time planning and budgeting for vital new road, bridge, and transit projects,” Shoaf said.
The existing federal transportation law is set to expire at the end of September, raising concerns about delays in infrastructure investment and construction starts.
While Colorado’s recent job gains suggest pockets of resilience, economists caution that broader trends point to a cooling construction market. Factors such as weather disruptions, shifting project schedules and funding uncertainty continue to weigh on hiring decisions nationwide.
Still, steady growth in states like Colorado indicates that regional demand and project backlogs may help sustain employment levels in the near term, even as national momentum slows.
Originally reported by ColoradoBiz Staff in Colorado Biz.
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