If Colorado wants sustained, inclusive economic growth, it must treat youth employment not as an afterthought but as a cornerstone of its workforce strategy. As a Denver native, Daniels Scholar, and student of applied mathematics at Harvard, I find myself reflecting deeply on the hidden costs beneath these headline numbers. In June 2025, Colorado’s labor market reversed course, losing 1,500 total non-farm jobs. Research from the Common Sense Institute, where I’ve contributed as a research fellow, shows that this headline figure masks deeper trends affecting young workers. Although overall private-sector employment fell by 1,600 jobs in June, the losses were concentrated in critical entry-level industries. Trade, transportation, and utilities shed 2,500 jobs, and construction lost another 1,300, which are sectors where young Coloradans often begin their careers (CSI).
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A statewide surge in job openings, up 12.8% in Q1 2025 according to the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation, further underscores the painful mismatch between available jobs and the skills young applicants currently possess.
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