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Steamboat Springs — More Routt County residents were working in June than in May.

Unemployment numbers decreased a full percentage point between the months, according to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. June unemployment was 7.7 percent, down from 8.7 percent in May. The figure still is more than twice what unemployment was in June 2008, when it stood at 3.4 percent.

Brian Bradbury, employment specialist at the Steamboat Springs branch of the Colorado Workforce Center, attributed the change to the summer tourism season.

"In June here we're probably past our 'mud season,' so I guess people are coming back for our resort season," Bradbury said.

The labor force also grew from May to June, from 13,724 to 14,584. That's still smaller than Routt's average, Bradbury said. The work force typically includes more than 15,000 people.

He said he expected to see the numbers improve. The state department hadn't adjusted them for seasonal increases and decreases.

"Just from people getting hired for the summertime we expected it to either stay the same or go down a bit," Bradbury said. "That's good, though. Every time we go down, that helps."

The state's unemployment level for June was steady at 7.6 percent. That number is seasonally adjusted. Colorado added 12,300 jobs in June, according to a news release from the state Department of Labor and Employment. Job numbers typically increase by twice that, the release stated.

"With the summer tourism season gearing up, most employment gains during the month came in the leisure and hospitality sector, up 14,600," the release stated. "Construction saw a seasonal increase of 5,000, and trade, transportation and utilities gained 4,200."

Department Director Donald Mares said in the release that Colorado was in better shape than other states.

"Colorado's unemployment rate rose in lockstep with the nation's from September to March, although since March, unemployment in the state has stabilized while the national rate has continued to climb," Mares said.

The national unemployment rate was at a 26-year high of 9.5 percent in June.

Dolores County's unemployment rate was the highest in Colorado, 14.6 percent. That represents few jobs, however. The county's work force is 992, and 847 of those people are employed.

Cheyenne and Hinsdale counties had the lowest unemployment rates, at 3.4 and 3.3 percent, respectively. Moffat County's rate was 6.8 percent, up from 6.6 percent in May. Like Routt, that county saw increases in its labor force and its number of people employed.

The Workforce Center in Steamboat has seen its job numbers decrease dramatically compared with previous summers. The center's list of openings can reach more than 200 during peak times. A recent count showed 14 open jobs. Moffat County, Rangely and Meeker have had longer lists.

Bradbury said last week that he's seen more people traveling from Routt to Moffat for work, though it's typically the other way around.

Still, he said he was pleased to see any decrease in unemployment rates.

"Going up 1 whole percent is very good," Bradbury said. "That tickles us."

To reach Blythe Terrell, call 871-4234 or e-mail bterrell@steamboatpilot.com