Employment opportunities in Colorado: Tech industry growth and demand. Booming healthcare sector. Thriving tourism and hospitality industry. Renewable energy job prospects. Aerospace and defense opportunities. Cannabis industry's economic impact. Startups and innovation hubs. Competitive job market landscape. Remote work options. Diverse agricultural employment.
Tech industry growth and demand.
The tech industry in Colorado is experiencing notable growth, having seen a 4.3% increase in tech employment in 2022, which translated to 10,174 new jobs. This momentum is expected to continue, with forecasts indicating a 3.6% increase in 2023, projecting the addition of 8,960 new tech jobs. Key areas of expansion include software development, programming, web development, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies. To gain a deeper insight into this evolving landscape, the CompTIA Year in Review: State of the Tech Workforce Report offers a comprehensive analysis of these trends, shedding light on the promising future of Colorado’s tech sector.
Booming healthcare sector.
The healthcare sector in Colorado is experiencing high demand, particularly for Nurse Practitioners, Registered Nurses, and other healthcare professionals, despite some regional shortages, especially outside major population centers like Denver and Colorado Springs. A recent Mercer Report predicts ongoing healthcare worker shortages in these areas. This emphasizes the critical need for targeted recruitment and retention strategies to address these gaps and ensure adequate healthcare services across the state.
Thriving tourism and hospitality industry.
The tourism and hospitality industry in Colorado, particularly in Aurora, offers a wide range of employment opportunities, supporting numerous jobs with roles spanning from hotel management and event planning to culinary and customer service positions. These industries provide avenues for career growth and higher wages compared to other sectors. Colorado's thriving tourism industry includes various job opportunities such as tour guides, resort managers, and hotel sales coordinators, with positions available in cities like Denver, Boulder, and Estes Park. These offer a mix of full-time, part-time, and seasonal roles for individuals seeking dynamic career paths. For those interested, Tourism and Hospitality Jobs in Colorado are abundant, with positions in hotel management, restaurant management, and event coordination available in locations like Vail, Denver, and Westminster, offering competitive salaries and benefits.
Renewable energy job prospects.
Colorado's renewable energy sector employs nearly 64,000 workers, with 18,000 jobs in renewable energy, including over 16,000 in solar and wind industries. The sector has grown 11% faster than overall employment since 2020, making it a significant driver of the state's economy. For more details on how this growth is impacting the state, you can visit the Clean Jobs Colorado 2023 report, which provides comprehensive insights into the employment trends and economic contributions of the renewable energy industry in Colorado.
Aerospace and defense opportunities.
If you're seeking aerospace and defense job opportunities in Colorado, various resources can help you find the right fit. With over 1,371 positions available across the state, there are roles like Senior Assembly Technician, Chief Engineer, and Logistics Analyst, provided by companies such as SNC, Kratos, and MFCP. Bechtel offers exciting opportunities in Colorado Springs for roles like Hazardous Waste Shipper and positions catering to new graduates in nuclear, security, and environmental fields. The Built In Colorado website lists premier job openings in Denver and Boulder, including Regional Supply Chain Analyst and Senior IT/Security Engineer, with detailed information on benefits and salary ranges. Additionally, the Colorado National Guard has positions such as Aerospace Propulsion Mechanic and Security Forces Patrol available across the state, each with specific rank requirements. Colorado remains a hub for aerospace and defense careers, presenting a diverse range of opportunities for professionals in this sector.
Cannabis industry's economic impact.
The Cannabis Industry in Colorado has created significant employment opportunities, with the industry employing over 34,000 people in 2020. However, recent years have seen a decline, with nearly 10,500 jobs cut from 2022 to 2023 due to market saturation and decreased sales. For more detailed insights on the dynamics and future of this evolving sector, visit the Decade of Legal Cannabis in Colorado article. As the state navigates these challenges, the industry's trajectory remains a point of interest for economists and policymakers alike.
Startups and innovation hubs.
Colorado is increasingly positioning itself as a leading regional technology and innovation hub, with vibrant employment opportunities in startups and innovation sectors. The state is actively cultivating growth in tech, healthtech, fintech, and quantum information technology, with a strong presence from companies like Gusto, Vangst, and Klaviyo, especially in the dynamic cities of Denver and Boulder. Through initiatives such as the Colorado TechHubNow, Colorado is focusing on advancements in clean energy, quantum computing, and other advanced technologies. This strategic direction is further supported by applications for federal designation as Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs. To explore current job openings and discover more opportunities, visit the Built In Colorado website.
Competitive job market landscape.
The Colorado job market remains stable, with a marginal 0.2% decrease in job vacancies in Q3 2024, while the median wage for open positions increased by 3.9%. The state ranks 19th in total vacancies and 14th per capita, with significant growth in the accounting sector and notable job increases in the leisure and hospitality, business and professional services, and trade industries. For more detailed information on these developments, you can visit the Colorado Chamber of Commerce website.
Remote work options.
Colorado offers a wide range of remote job opportunities across various industries, including software, fintech, healthcare, and more, with roles such as Lead Data Product Manager, Scala Developer, and Digital Ads Manager available in companies based in Denver and Boulder. FlexJobs lists numerous remote job openings in Colorado, covering full-time and part-time positions in fields like business development, cloud infrastructure, healthcare, and sales, with many companies offering 100% remote work options and competitive salaries. The Colorado Remote Work Initiative aims to equip Coloradans for remote work environments, providing resources and certificate programs to enhance skills for remote workers and employers, highlighting Colorado's strong position as a hub for remote employment.
Diverse agricultural employment.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has created new regional coordinator positions to support workforce development and farm equity, specifically targeting diverse groups such as female farmers, farmers and farm workers of color, and LGBTQIA2+ farmers and farmworkers. These roles aim to promote equity and inclusivity in agriculture and provide support to under-resourced populations across the state. For more comprehensive information about these initiatives, visit the End Hunger Colorado website where further details are available on how these efforts are being implemented to foster a more inclusive agricultural community.