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Construction site of the Union Station redevelopment in Denver, CO. Deposit Photos
Construction site of the Union Station redevelopment in Denver, CO. Deposit Photos
Colorado adds 1,000 construction jobs amid national slowdown
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 22, 2026//
Construction employment increased in 30 states and the District of Columbia from February 2025 to February 2026, while 22 states added jobs between January and February, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America.
In Brief:
- Colorado adds 1,000 construction jobs in one month
- Texas leads national job growth with 24,000 new positions
- Jeffrey D. Shoaf warns of transportation funding uncertainty
- Ken Simonson cites weather and project shifts affecting hiring
Colorado was among the states with a monthly gain, adding 1,000 construction jobs from January to February, a 0.2% increase. The state tied with Nevada and Ohio for one of the largest monthly increases during that period.
Nationally, job growth was uneven. Texas added the most jobs over the year with 24,000 positions, a 2.7% increase, while Montana recorded the largest percentage gain at 8.8%. In contrast, California lost 10,300 jobs, the largest decline, followed by Florida and New York.
Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist, said weather and shifting project activity affected recent hiring trends.
“Severe winter weather in late January and February probably led to a drop in the number of states with one-month job gains,” Simonson said. “But construction is slowing in many parts of the country.”
For the month, 22 states added construction jobs, while 27 states and D.C. reported declines. Florida posted the largest monthly gain with 1,100 jobs, while New Jersey had the steepest loss, shedding 5,900 jobs.
Industry officials warned that future construction activity could depend on federal action. Jeffrey D. Shoaf, the association’s chief executive officer, said uncertainty about transportation funding could delay projects.
“Unless Congress acts on time, state and local transportation officials will have a hard time planning and budgeting for vital new road, bridge, and transit projects,” Shoaf said.
The current federal transportation law is set to expire at the end of September.
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