Index: Economy
Economy - Business
Quick Data Links
What's New (updated 8/21/07)
The June 2007 study, The Role of Health Care and Social Assistance in Larimer County's Economy [pdf], highlights the growing impact of this industrial sector, which currently employs over 10% of the County's workforce. All major subcomponents of the health care industry added jobs in the period between 2001 and 2005, and are expected to continue adding jobs at a 3.6% annual rate over the next four years. (Dr. Martin Shields, regional economist employed by the Colorado State University Office of Economic Development and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, and David Keyser, research economist in the Department of Economics, Colorado State University)
The June 2007 study, The Role of Health Care and Social Assistance in Larimer County's Economy [pdf], highlights the growing impact of this industrial sector, which currently employs over 10% of the County's workforce. All major subcomponents of the health care industry added jobs in the period between 2001 and 2005, and are expected to continue adding jobs at a 3.6% annual rate over the next four years. (Dr. Martin Shields, regional economist employed by the Colorado State University Office of Economic Development and the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, and David Keyser, research economist in the Department of Economics, Colorado State University)
What We Measured:
- Agriculture in Larimer County
- Employment & Wages by Industry
- Larimer County Employers
- Minority Business Ownership
- Per Capita Income
- Unemployment Rate
Outside Compass:
Highlights:
- Larimer County's sells more livestock than other farm products, including crops. While the dollars earned through livestock sales dropped from 1987 to 1997, the dollars earned from crops rose. (Agriculture in Larimer County)
- From 2003 to 2007, employment in the Manufacturingsector, one of the highest paying sectors, decreased by 19%, resulting in a loss of 2,860 jobs. (Employment & Wages by Industry)
- Businesses with less than ten employees accounted for 75% of all establishments in Larimer County in 2005. The majority (98%) of Larimer County business establishments had fewer than 100 employees, which mirrored Colorado (98%) and the nation (98%) during the same period. (Larimer County Employers)
- In 1997, 94.4% of Larimer County firms were owned by White residents. The majority of minority firm owners, 50.9%, were Hispanic. (Minority Business Ownership)
- In 2006, per capita personal income in Larimer County ($35,397) was similar to the national average ($36,714), but lower than Colorado ($39,491). Colorado’s personal per capita income ranked tenth highest in the nation in 2007. (Per Capita Income)
- In general, the Fort Collins/Loveland MSA had lower unemployment rates than both Colorado and the United States from July 2006 to December 2007. (Unemployment Rate)
Related Studies:
- According to the 2007 Colorado Business Economic Outlook [pdf], the Northern Colorado economy continued to outpace the state in employment growth. Increases in accommodations and food services, finance and insurance, healthcare and social assistance, and retail and construction accounted for 85% of new jobs, while the manufacturing sector continued its downslide. (December 2006)
- Losing Ground: Colorado's Vanishing Agricultural Landscape [pdf] documents Colorado's loss of 1.26 million acres of agricultural lands since 1997. The report highlights the importance of productive agriculture to the rural economy, the environment, and to tourism. (Environment Colorado Research and Policy Center - April 2006)
- How Does This Recovery Measure Up? (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities - August 2005), the touted 2005 economic recovery is deficient in wage increases and creation of new jobs.
- A Profile of Older Workers in Colorado [pdf] - (January 2005) - this United States Census Bureau report contains details on what industries are most affected by the aging workforce, and demand and job stability for older workers.
- Job Vacancy Survey (JVS) [pdf] - (Fall 2004/Spring 2004) - these semi-annual reports contains detailed information and analysis on job vacancies, wages, skill requirements, and work experience in the Larimer/Weld region. (Colorado Department of Labor and Employment)
- The 2005 Colorado Business Economic Outlook [pdf] - In its 40th year of publication, provides observations and assessments for various regions and Colorado counties, including Larimer, for the coming year. (Released by the Business Research Division of the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado at Boulder)
- Job Vacancy Survey (JVS) [pdf] - (Spring 2004 - Colorado Department of Labor and Employment) this semi-annual report contains detailed information and analysis on job vacancies, wages, skill requirements, and work experience in the Larimer/Weld region.
- Global Entrepreneurship Monitor: National Entrepreneurship Assessment, 2003 [pdf] - This study documents the increase of entrepreneurial activity in the United States from 2002 to 2003, and includes data specific to Colorado. It contains information on entrepreneur demographics, the changing business culture, financial implications, and the potential for job creation.
- A Roadmap for Natural Capitalism [pdf] (Harvard Business Review, May/June 1999 Issue) - this article discusses the benefits of using a natural capitalism business approach, which include protecting the biosphere while improving profits and competitiveness.
- Economic Vitality and Sustainability Action Group (EVSAG): A Report and Recommendations [pdf] (July 2004) - community representatives, appointed by the Fort Collins' City Council, recommend strategies for enhancing local economic vitality and sustainability in this report.
- FDIC State Profile - Colorado [pdf] (July 2004) - According to this quarterly report, single-family mortgage foreclosures and personal bankruptcies are at their highest levels in a decade in Colorado.
- 2003 Citizen Survey Results (Fort Collins) - this report gives the results of a citizen survey conducted by the City of Fort Collins during October and November of 2003. Residents were asked to rate Fort Collins as a community, and the City's performance in various areas of service, long-term budget priorities and more.
- Emerging Industries Study 2004 Colorado's Economic Opportunities: Today, Tomorrow and the Future: The University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business conducted an economic base analysis of Colorado counties, which also includes possible long-term industry growth opportunities. The Larimer County [pdf] profile contains specific analysis of local data.
- Economic Impact of the Early Care & Education Industry in Larimer County [pdf] - this report presents a characterization of the Early Care and Education (ECE) industry in Larimer County. It includes employment and wage information, and comparisons to other local industries in terms of number of employees, annual wages and total payroll.
- Downtown Strategic Plan Draft (September 2003) - This report, sponsored by the City of Fort Collins, the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and the Downtown Business Association (DBA), explores and responds to a selected number of crucial issues facing downtown Ft. Collins.
- City of Fort Collins Trends 2000 - a report which assesses social and economic conditions within Fort Collins. [pdf]
Related issues within Compass:
Additional Resources:
- Colorado Business Resource Guide - provides general information to assist in the starting up and operation of small businesses.
- Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
- Colorado Enterprise Zones - information on local contacts, tax credits and maps of all Colorado enterprise zones.
- Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
- Colorado Secretary of State - the business section contains downloadable forms for business and non-profit use, and additional information to help Colorado businesses.
- Colorado Tax Information
- Internal Revenue Service - forms and publications.
- Larimer County Workforce Center
- United States Census Bureau Economic Programs - contains economic and business survey data.
Chambers of Commerce: