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Steamboat Springs — July unemployment increased slightly statewide but decreased in Routt County, according to figures released Friday.

That's not quite an apples-to-apples comparison, however, because Colorado's unemployment rate - 7.8 percent - is adjusted for typical seasonal changes. Routt's rate, at 6.8 percent, has not been adjusted.

The state rate increased from 7.6 percent in June. Routt's rate decreased from 7.7 percent in June. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment tracks unemployment.

"Months without a significant increase in unemployment and a slight improvement in over-the-year wage and salary losses may be an indication the economy is stabilizing," Department Executive Director Donald Mares said in a news release.

Routt's unemployment rate was 3.1 percent in July 2008. That represented 491 people without work, and July 2009 numbers represent 1,032 people without work. Routt's labor force increased from June to July, from 14,584 to 15,128.

Karen Goedert said she saw a slight improvement in Routt County's employment situation. Goedert runs Resort Recruiters and Columbine Consulting, a human resources consulting firm. She organized meetings to help job seekers this summer.

"I think I can feel that 1 percent decrease in the past month, which is interesting," Goedert said. "It seems like some of the folks that were out there looking for work the past four to six months have been able to secure employment this past month."

Nearly 76,000 more people are unemployed in the state than July 2008. First-time claims for unemployment are up 210 percent through July 2009 compared with the same period last year, according to the news release.

Unemployment rates fell in 52 Colorado counties, increased in seven, and remained unchanged in five, the release stated. Dolores County had the highest rate, at 13.9 percent, and Hinsdale County had the lowest, at 2.7 percent.

Goedert said she could see more improvement for Routt as frosty mornings become common. Those have pushed employers toward thoughts of ski-season staffing, she said.

"People are starting to kind of sort of feel that winter season coming on," Goedert said. "Last week, we had a couple of cold mornings, and it just feels to me some of the businesses in town were like, 'Whoa, winter is right around the corner.'"