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Journal Article
Poverty Thresholds Across the Rocky Mountain Region
The ability of households to purchase a certain amount of essential items can determine whether they are classified as being impoverished. These spending thresholds differ at local levels because the costs of reaching a specified consumption level vary from community to community. Poverty thresholds across the Rocky Mountain region often exceed national averages, with some counties having nearly 30 percent higher thresholds than the national level.
Journal Article
Colorado’s Current Employment Situation Driven by Key Industries
The unemployment rate in Colorado and the U.S. remains historically low, below 5%. However, Colorado’s unemployment rate recently surpassed the United States, a phenomenon not observed since the 1980’s. The recent rise in state unemployment and the relative slack in local labor market conditions is primarily attributable to weak labor demand in the technology and construction industries.
Journal Article
Businesses in the Rocky Mountains Report Steady Employment Outlooks with Softer Wage Gains
Employers in the Rocky Mountain region expect stable employment levels over the next year on balance. Businesses where employment recently fell reduced their headcount mainly by not backfilling open positions. Lower hiring activity is accompanied by less competitive pressure on wages than in past years, especially for new hires.
Journal Article
Colorado’s Distinct Trends in Affordable Housing Development
Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) are among the most common financing tools for the development of affordable housing units. Over the past 15 years, the development of LIHTC-funded housing units decelerated nationwide but accelerated in Colorado.
Journal Article
Higher Oil Prices Will Likely Increase Severance Tax Revenues in Rocky Mountain States
The Iran conflict that began in February triggered a historically large energy market disruption, leading to a substantial increase in oil prices. Although higher oil prices may present challenges for households and businesses, Rocky Mountain states’ budgets—especially Wyoming and New Mexico—stand to gain from additional severance tax revenue related to elevated oil prices.
Journal Article
Recession and Recovery in the Mountain States
Journal Article
Key industries in the Mountain states
Journal Article
Deconstructing mountain state unemployment rates
This issue of the Rocky Mountain Economist discusses how the unemployment rate is calculated and explores recent trends in the Mountain States? unemployment rates.
Journal Article
What is behind the inflation numbers?
This issue of the Rocky Mountain Economist describes common measures of inflation and explores how recent trends compare to the policy objectives of the Federal Reserve.