The Colorado economy continues to outperform the U.S. economy and grow at a magnitude that slightly exceeds previous expectations, according to the midyear economic outlook recently released by the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business.

Colorado’s employment is up by 3% year-over-year from May 2013 to May 2014. A total gain of 68,000 jobs in Colorado is expected for 2014—an upward revision to a December estimate of 61,300 jobs for the year.

The midyear outlook projects growth in all of the state’s sectors except for information, which includes publishing and telecommunications.

“The growth for Colorado that we are forecasting for 2014 would make it the fourth fastest-growing state in the country,” said economist Richard Wobbekind, executive director of the Business Research Division, which conducts the midyear outlook.

“Colorado is growing at roughly twice the pace of the national economy in terms of job growth. It continues to be a shining star in the grand scheme of things, as it was in 2013.”

Wobbekind, who is also the senior associate dean for academic programs at the Leeds School, presents the Colorado Business Economic Outlook each December—an outlook that’s updated each summer. He recently met with steering committee members who represent the state’s major economic sectors for the 2014 midyear update. Those summaries include:

• Construction. Construction employment has grown in the state by 8% since May 2013 and totals 135,500 jobs. However, this is 20.3% below the peak levels in 2007. Demand currently is high in for-sale homes and the inventory is low.

• Agriculture. Winter wheat production is forecast at 84.2 million bushels in 2014, dramatically up from 2013’s drought-ridden output of 44.3 million bushels. Topsoil and subsoil moisture levels are adequate on about 50% of Colorado farm acres, an improvement from below 20% adequacy in 2013. Cattle and calves inventory as of May 1 is estimated at 960,000.  
However, dry conditions particularly in the southeast corner of the state, continue to cause concerns that have made ranchers hesitant to increase herd sizes.

• Natural resources and mining. While employment in natural resources and mining is only 1.4% of Colorado’s total employment, the sector has been integral to the state’s post-recession economy, and its concentration is more than two times the national concentration. Oil and natural gas currently are the most significant products of the sector in Colorado. Last December, natural resources and mining employment was forecast to increase to 31,100 jobs. It currently sits at 33,200 jobs. Employment in the sector has grown about 10% year-over-year.

• Manufacturing. Manufacturing has grown faster than expected in the first half of 2014, exceeding committee expectations particularly for durable goods. This marks the third straight year of employment gains in the sector following 10 straight years of losses. Employment in the sector currently is at 136,100 jobs, a 2.8% increase from a year ago. Though nondurable goods are growing more slowly than expected, demand for craft beer and spirits has buoyed this part of the sector.

• Trade, transportation and utilities. Colorado’s trade, transportation and utilities sector increased just 1.2% from May 2013 to May 2014. This growth can be attributed to slight increases in employment in the wholesale and retail trade segments. A decrease of about 1,500 jobs occurred year-over-year in the transportation and warehousing segment of the sector. Regarding utilities, the Environmental Protection Agency has set a 35% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030, but Colorado’s energy providers appear to be far ahead in reaching the goal, according to the committee.

• Financial activities. While overall employment in the financial activities sector was nearly flat year-over-year, the subcategory of real estate, rental and leasing grew by 1.4%. Home prices in Colorado are up 7.6% with a median sale price of $251,750—growth that’s expected to slow in 2015 to an estimated 1.5%.

• Professional and business services. Within the professional and business services sector, which added 17,500 jobs year-over-year, the professional, scientific and technical services subsector accounts for half of the sector’s employment. Colorado remains a hub of activity in industries that require highly skilled labor and are high-paying, such as aerospace and clean energy, as well as consulting and legal services, according to Wobbekind.

• Education and health services. Health care and social assistance, which makes up a majority of the education and health services sector, added 4,900 jobs year-to-date and grew 4.5% year-over-year. The long-term economic impacts of the Affordable Care Act remain to be seen, but the health-care exchange and pent-up demand for health care is credited for a 10% jump in national health care spending that added $43.3 billion in national consumer spending, according to the report.

• Leisure and hospitality. The leisure and hospitality sector is showing strong growth with a year-over-year increase in employment of 4.9%.

Denver International Airport is the fifth-busiest airport in the nation with increasing service from low-cost carriers and new flight destinations such as the recently added United Airlines flight to Panama City. Colorado’s ski industry experienced a record-breaking year in 2013-14 with the help of an early start to the season and a late finish. Colorado will again be on the world stage when the fourth annual USA Pro Cycling Challenge takes place in August.

• Government. State government employment has grown by 1.7% year-over-year and local government employment has grown by 2.1% year-over year. However, federal employment is down due primarily to the consolidation of government programs.

• International trade. In international trade, Colorado exports declined by 4.3% year-over-year in April 2014. The state’s top-three import markets are Canada ($4 billion), China ($1.9 billion) and Mexico ($1.3 billion).