Economy
Colorado’s COVID rent-assistance program may have paid up to $4.4 million in error, audit finds
The popular state renter relief program paid landlords rent for tenants. But state auditors found that errors led to overpayments and less oversight as tenants weren’t notified that their rent had been paid.
What’s Working: Colorado is in economically better shape than most states, but still down 77,900 jobs from before COVID
Plus: State’s unemployment rate dropped to 5.6%, Colorado quits more than the rest of the U.S. and where the missing workers went.
Grand Lake voters turn out in force to retain Mayor Steve Kudron in recall sparked by workforce housing plan
Two-thirds of registered voters cast ballots in the recall, more than double the number who participated in the 2020 mayoral election
Colorado governor supports property tax cut measure on November ballot opposed by other Democrats
Gov. Jared Pols didn’t elaborate on his position, which is raising eyebrows among Democrats
“It’s scary”: The housing shortage has reached a crisis point in southwest Colorado
Some residents have resorted to living in cars, and local officials fear middle-income earners will be priced out of the housing market.
What’s Working: People are quitting their jobs in record numbers. Here’s what happened in Colorado.
The JOLTS data will soon go local so we take a look at what early data shows about the state’s workforce. Plus: Jobless updates, overpayment appeals and changing wages.
In the San Luis Valley, a small town is using civic engagement to improve lives
A program that teaches participants the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed has graduated people into leadership and entrepreneurial roles throughout the valley.
What’s Working: Colorado’s labor force is missing older adults, parents of young kids and international workers
Plus: Amazon’s work conditions become a target for another Colorado worker lawsuit, unemployment claims drop and other COVID relief.
Colorado election 2021 guide: What you need to know about the ballot initiatives and how to cast your vote
Election Day is Nov. 2 and voters will be making decisions on a slate of ballot measures, as well as local school board races
Hundreds of thousands of Coloradans qualify for a $50 broadband internet credit. So why aren’t they seizing it?
Digital divide advocates had hoped more participants would be using the Emergency Broadband Benefit by now. There’s still 81% of the funds remaining.
Proposition 120: Voters will decide if Colorado property taxes will go down — at least for some
A law passed in the final days of Colorado’s 2021 legislative session gutted Proposition 120 to apply only to property tax assessment rates for multifamily housing and lodging properties
Xcel Energy may fill the hole left by closing its Hayden coal-fired power plant with salt. And fish.
The utility’s plan to generate electricity using molten salt could serve as a template for other towns facing the end of the age of coal.
The affordable housing crisis on Colorado’s Western Slope is showing no sign of easing
The housing gap is wide in Mesa County, which is short 3,736 rental units affordable for people making less than $25,000 per year.
Where have Colorado’s workers gone? Some say: “We’re still here. Hire us!”
The labor market continues to get even more complex as employers and workers recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Data shows fewer workers are out there though. So, where did they go?
What’s Working: Need a job? Tech companies are hiring in Colorado as a pre-pandemic labor crunch continues
When labor’s tight, wages go up and that’s happening in tech. Also: Denver Startup Week begins Monday and there’s a job fair; plus: unemployment updates, personal labor-shortage stories and more.
Colorado’s free rent program has paid out 15.2% of its available federal funds
Six months into the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, payments are speeding up, but only a sliver of the $690 million available has been tapped and people still are waiting for help.
Glenwood Springs is still dealing with the effects of a long I-70 closure this summer. Federal aid is a lifeline.
After a summer of record profits was interrupted by the disastrous shutdown of I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, locals are looking to build community resilience.
What’s Working: The Colorado disconnect continues between employers and the unemployed
Plus: Amazon’s Thornton warehouse is building its own job-training career program, unemployment appeals and small business updates.
A long-languishing Pueblo subdivision could become one of Colorado’s largest zero-energy communities
The environmentally friendly homes would make up just a tiny portion of the North Vista Highlands neighborhood. Developers think they will lure buyers looking for solar-ready homes built from nontoxic materials.
What’s Working: 24,000 unemployed Coloradans must pay back pandemic jobless benefits
Plus: More people are returning to work as the state’s unemployment rate drops to 5.9%. But what happened to all the workers?
