Newsline: 2024 Southwest Economic Outlook

Economists shed light on the economic landscape during the 32nd Annual Southwest Economic Outlook hosted by Fort Lewis College Katz School of Business and Bank of Colorado. Fort Lewis College economics associate professor Nate Peach highlighted concerns about rising living costs impacting economic sentiments, especially among the youth.

Economic Dashboard April 2019

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

April 2019

Graph of Y-O-Y Economic Indicator April 2015- 2019

Economic conditions in La Plata County from Apr 2015 to Apr 2019.

Summary
Improved (+) 5
No Change (o) 7
Declined (-) 7
Improved (Declined) (2)
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,189 31,494 32,039 o
  Unemployment Rate (%) 2.6 3.1 2.3
  Labor Force Participation (%) 56.6 55.4 57.1 o
  Job Openings 1,183 715 924 +
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 22 16 71
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 129,829 125,008 31,095 +
  Home Sales 71 56 209
  Average Home Price ($) 499,750 496,764 486,673 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 87,000 85,800 85,000 +
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 13,480 15,766 13,734 o
  Lodgers Tax ($) 55,452 43,493 61,323
  Train Visitors 3,895 3,818 3,737 +
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 0 0 52
  Production (mmcf) 0 17,176 23,948
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,357 1,061 1,363 o
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 3,414 1,389 12,153
Foreclosures (to date) 14 11 19
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 57,500 55,262 52,775 +
     Commercial Accounts 6,508 6,481 6,461 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard March 2019

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

March 2018

Year-Over-Year Economic Indicator

Economic conditions in La Plata County from Mar 2015 to Mar 2019.

Summary
Improved (+) 4
No Change (o) 7
Declined (-) 8
Improved (Declined) (4)
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 31,494 31,330 31,381 o
  Unemployment Rate (%) 3.1 3.7 2.9
  Labor Force Participation (%) 554 55.2 56.0 o
  Job Openings 715 892 881
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 0 10 52
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 125,008 118,992 18,655 +
  Home Sales 71 56 148
  Average Home Price ($) 499,750 496,764 476,352 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 87,000 85,800 82,900 +
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 15,766 12,944 15,201 o
  Lodgers Tax ($) 43,493 41,538 42,056 +
  Train Visitors 3,818 1,307 4,676
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 0 0 47
  Production (mmcf) 204 15,284 25,532
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,061 1,207 1,046 o
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 1,389 0 11,673
Foreclosures (to date) 11 9 16
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 55,262 52,619 56,074 o
     Commercial Accounts 6,481 6,484 6,415 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard December 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

December 2018
La Plata County Year-Over-Year Economic Indicator

Economic conditions in La Plata County from Dec 2014 to Dec 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 7
No Change (o) 3
Declined (-) 9
Improved (Declined) (6)
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,381 33,785 31148 +
  Unemployment Rate (%) 3.7 2.7 2.6
  Labor Force Participation (%) 57.2 58.0 55.7 +
  Job Openings 832 925 941
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 268 255 308
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 156,977 139,692 200,111
  Home Sales 832 755 863
  Average Home Price ($) 495,946 494,455 449,244 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 88,400 90,500 73,700 +
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 15338 15150 14448 +
  Lodgers Tax ($) 45,570 91,384 42,342 +
  Train Visitors 27,594 8,615 30,115
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 99 98 108
  Production (mmcf) 22,887 21,115 24,884
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,263 1,492 1,171 o
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 34,888 32,398 35,142
Foreclosures (to date) 60 52 54 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 58,505 55,673 57,696 o
     Commercial Accounts 6,474 6,474 6,392 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard October 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

October 2018
La Plata County Year-Over-Year Economic Indicator

Economic conditions in La Plata County from Oct 2014 to Oct 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 4
No Change (o) 7
Declined (-) 8
Improved (Declined) (4)
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,785 33,395 32,714 o
  Unemployment Rate (%) 2.7 2.6 2.2
  Labor Force Participation (%) 58.0 59.2 58.7 o
  Job Openings 925 1,007 1,752
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 227 206 249
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 119,175 103,676 148,2740
  Home Sales 688 630 721
  Average Home Price ($) 489,559 485,870 439,964 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 89,200 86,500 71,800
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 17,440 17,029 17,451 o
  Lodgers Tax ($) 142,586 125,226 149,761
  Train Visitors 15,363 17,906 13,696 +
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 98 86 103
  Production (mmcf) 25,471 23,962 24,995 o
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,651 1,477 1,631 o
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 30,315 28,730 27,558 +
Foreclosures (to date) 47 45 49 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 55,348 54,614 54,765 o
     Commercial Accounts 6,464 6,452 6,408 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard September 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

September 2018
La Plata County Year-Over-Year Economic Indicator

Economic conditions in La Plata County from Sep 2014 to Sep 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 7
No Change (o) 4
Declined (-) 8
Improved (Declined) (1)
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 33,395 32,872 32,196 +
  Unemployment Rate (%) 2.6 3.1 1.9
  Labor Force Participation (%) 59.2 58.3 57.8 +
  Job Openings 1,007 1,175 1,698
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 204 182 207 o
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 102,730 94,238 104,409 o
  Home Sales 630 561 644
  Average Home Price ($) 485,870 480,586 438,935 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 86,500 84,800 70,800
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 17,029 18,648 17,373 +
  Lodgers Tax ($) 125,226 142,785 142,099
  Train Visitors 17,906 14,001 24,164
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 86 79 93
  Production (mmcf) 24,500 24,901 23,984 +
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,477 1,487 1,510
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 28,730 22,487 26,208 +
Foreclosures (to date) 45 40 46 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 54,614 58,867 53,138 +
     Commercial Accounts 6,452 6,468 6,424 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard August 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

August 2018
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Economic conditions in La Plata County from August 2014 to August 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 9
No Change (o) 3
Declined (-) 7
Improved (Declined) 2
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,872 32,915 31,739 +
  Unemployment Rate (%) 3.1 3.0 1.9
  Labor Force Participation (%) 58.3 58.5 57.0 +
  Job Openings 1,175 1,013 1,860
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 184 165 178 +
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 95,184 86,181 87,927 +
  Home Sales 561 470 565 o
  Average Home Price ($) 480,586 469,427 433,419 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 84,800 82,600 70,500
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 18,648 18,959 18,003 +
  Lodgers Tax ($) 142,785 125,498 164,387
  Train Visitors 14,001 16,088 25,383
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 79 76 81
  Production (mmcf) 24,179 21,032 24,223 o
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,487 1,551 1,548
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 22,487 16,063 18,376 +
Foreclosures (to date) 32 32 36 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 58,867 58,859 55,282 +
     Commercial Accounts 6,468 6,469 6,424 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard July 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

July 2018
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Economic conditions in Durango and La Plata County, July 2014-July 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 9
No Change (o) 3
Declined (-) 7
Improved (Declined) 2
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,915 32,625 31,594 +
  Unemployment Rate (%) 3.0 2.7 2.1
  Labor Force Participation (%) 58.5 58.0 56.8 +
  Job Openings 1,013 1,008 2,218
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 165 126 149 +
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 86,181 66,560 73,818 +
  Home Sales 470 384 476 o
  Average Home Price ($) 469,427 476,687 433,349 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 82,600 84,300 71,300
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 18,959 17,724 18,499 +
  Lodgers Tax ($) 125,498 99,671 144,637
  Train Visitors 16,088 1,465 36,542
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 76 76 62 +
  Production (mmcf) 24,823 23,728 24,633 o
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,551 1,432 1,620
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 16,063 14,742 17,631
Foreclosures (to date) 32 32 36 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 58,859 54,896 55,789 +
     Commercial Accounts 6,469 6,471 6,423 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)

Economic Dashboard June 2018

How is the economy right now in Durango and La Plata County?

Find out the latest on our employment, home construction, tourism, and other key measures of our local economic performance. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us and we can walk you through what the data means.

Local Economic Conditions

June 2018
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Economic conditions in La Plata County from June 2014 to June 2018.

 

Summary
Improved (+) 10
No Change (o) 4
Declined (-) 5
Improved (Declined) 5
Current Last Month Last Year

Change

(vs Last Year)

Workforce
  Labor Force 32,625 32,245 32,619 o
  Unemployment Rate (%) 2.7 2.1 2.1
  Labor Force Participation (%) 58.0 57.4 58.7 o
  Job Openings 1,008 881 1,729
8
Construction & Housing
  New Permits (to Date) 126 98 115 +
  Value of Permits ($,000) (to Date) 66,560 44,128 57,495 +
  Home Sales 384 299 399
  Average Home Price ($) 476,687 474,748 428,348 +
  Earnings Needed* ($) 84,300 84,100 69,900
8
Travel & Tourism
  Enplanements 17,724 15,449 16,896 +
  Lodgers Tax ($) 99,671 59,335 91,575 +
  Train Visitors 1,200 13,463 27,467
8
Gas & Oil
  New Permits (to date) 76 66 56 +
  Production (mmcf) 24,370 25,126 23,794 +
8
Other
Sales Tax, Durango ($,000)** 1,432 1,259 1,350 +
Commercial Sales ($,000) (to date) 17,298 13,698 17,298 o
Foreclosures (to date) 32 27 34 +
  Energy Use
     Commercial (mwh) 54,896 55,288 53,385 +
     Commercial Accounts 6,471 6,470 6,426 o

Notes:

*”Earnings needed” is the household income necessary to purchase an average-priced home in La Plata County.

**Sales tax for Durango includes Use Tax.

Sources: Employment: Colorado Department of Labor and US Census Construction & Housing: City of Durango, La Plata County, Mortgage-X.com, and the Wells Group  Travel & Tourism: City of Durango, Durango Area Tourism Organization (DATO), and Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad   Gas & Oil: Colorado Oil & Gas Conservation Commission  Other: City of Durango (Sales tax and business permits), La Plata County Treasurers Office (Foreclosures),  and LPEA (Energy Use) (LPEA data is unaudited)