Stark Disparity Emerges Between Cities
Hiring activity among key Jefferson County businesses cooled in the early fourth quarter after a mid-summer peak, while a significant economic disparity has widened between the county’s northern and central/foothills municipalities, according to an analysis of hiring data.
The “Jeffco 500,” a tracked list of organizations that excludes government, nonprofits, and franchises, saw its overall hiring rate peak in July 2025, with 37.5% of businesses actively recruiting. That figure has since trended downward, ending October at 35%.
While the county-wide dip is modest, the city-level data reveals a “tale of two counties.”
A clear divide has emerged, with businesses in Broomfield and Westminster posting hiring rates nearly double those of other cities in the county. In October, Westminster and Broomfield both saw approximately 39.5% of their tracked businesses hiring. Westminster, in particular, has shown strong momentum, surging from 35% in July to join Broomfield as the county’s co-leader for business recruitment.
This high-velocity hiring in the northern corridor stands in stark contrast to the rest of the county. The next closest cities, Lakewood and Littleton, ended October with hiring rates of 23% and 22.8%, respectively.
The remaining municipalities in the analysis all posted rates below 20%:
- Golden: 19%
- Arvada: 16%
- Wheat Ridge: 16.8%
- Evergreen: 12%
Evergreen’s business community showed the most pronounced cooling trend, with its hiring rate declining steadily from a modest 16.5% in June to a low of 12% in October. Conversely, Golden was a rare bright spot in this group, showing a slight upward trend from 17% in May to 19% in October.
The data suggests a multi-speed local economy. While talent competition appears to remain fierce in the northern tech and business corridors, a significantly softer labor market prevails in the county’s central, southern, and foothills communities.
Source: Jeffco 500