August 2026 | Released September 18, 2026
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United States
Employment snapshot
In August, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 28, rose in 4, and remained unchanged in 19.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.7 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate remained unchanged in August.
In August, payroll jobs rose in 35 states and fell in 16. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.6 percent in New Mexico. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Maryland.
Colorado
Employment snapshot
In August, Colorado lost 1,400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent. In the prior month, Colorado added 3,800 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Colorado added 6,600 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point from 3.9 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In August, Colorado’s private sector lost 900 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 11,900 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Colorado added 5,400 net private payroll jobs.
In August, employment in Colorado fell by 9,762, and over the past 12 months it fell by 74,401.
Colorado’s labor force participation rate fell to 65.3 percent in August from 65.5 percent and is tied for 10th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has fallen by 1.7 percentage points.
Colorado
Payroll employment
Colorado lost 1,400 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Colorado added 3,800 jobs. Colorado nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 162,000 in August, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Colorado lost 900 private sector jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during August. In the prior month, Colorado added 5,400 jobs. Colorado private sector payroll employment has increased in 6 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 127,000 jobs in August, or 0.1 percent. Colorado is tied for 26th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
From July 2026 to August 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Leisure and Hospitality (+1,700) and Financial Activities (+900).
- The worst performing sectors were Construction (-2,200) and Professional and Business Services (-800).
From August 2025 to August 2026:
- The best performing sectors were Private Education and Health Services (+12,400) and Leisure and Hospitality (+9,000).
- The worst performing sectors were Information (-5,600) and Federal Government (-4,700).
Colorado
Labor force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Colorado fell to 65.3 percent in August from 65.5 percent in the prior month.
Colorado is tied for 10th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Colorado was 68.8 percent occurring in November 2019, and the 10-year low was 65.3 percent in August 2026.
The national labor force participation rate rose by 0.2 percentage points to 61.6 percent in August.