Economic Environment

Earnings

Almost 30% of earnings in Colorado can be traced to South Metro Denver: 714,310 jobs with $32.78 Billion in wages*

In total, 673,880 or 42% of Metro-based jobs result from South Metro economic activity, i.e. direct jobs, indirect jobs and induced effects.

For every 1 job created in South Metro Denver (purple shading), a total of 1.57 jobs is generated within the wider Metro Denver MSA

* Purple Shading: Denver-Aurora-Broomfield MSA (Principal Counties: Adams, Arapahoe, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas, Elbert, Gilpin, Jefferson, Park)

South Metro Economic Engine Drives Job Growth (2004-2009)

In 2009, South Metro Denver (SMD) employment totaled 427,980, representing a 25,494 job (6.3%) increase over 2004.

For every 1 job created in South Metro Denver, a total of 1.67 jobs are generated Statewide. For every $1 of wage earnings, a total of $1.54 earnings result statewide.

714,310 or 23.1% of Colorado jobs result from South Metro Denver economic activity. $32.78 billion (29.7%) of state earnings result from the South Metro Denver economy, i.e. direct jobs, indirect jobs and induced spending effects.

South Metro Denver job growth, at 6.3%, was twice the Denver MSA (10 county) average of 3.3%. The I-25 Corridor Area had 1% decline in job numbers from 2004 to 2009 third quarter.

Knowledge-based Services Driving Wealth Creation

The chart (right) shows that business and financial services was the largest cluster, which added most jobs by 2009 (5,700 new jobs or 6% growth).

Life sciences ranks second for job growth (4,200 jobs or 27% growth), though the energy sector is larger.

In 2009, energy was the third largest sector; employing 30,600 in the South Metro Denver area. The sector added 2,490 jobs over the period (9% growth).

Defense and security is equal in size as life sciences, and it grew by 15% over the period (2,510 jobs added).

Education and knowledge added 1,240 new jobs (18% growth); while transportation equipment manufacturing added 440 new jobs.