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<br />Between the years 1960 and 1970, the population in both counties decreased iliile <br />population in the State increased. However. from 1970 to 1980. the Nontezuma <br />County population again grew significantly due to renewed oil interest and <br />construction of the Dolores Project. See Table C. <br /> <br /> TABLE C <br /> POPULATIOt~ CHANGES, 1930-1980, <br /> DOLORES & t-mTEZUNA. OJUNTIES, OJLORAOO <br />Year Dolores Percent 110ntezuma Percent Colorado Percent <br /> County Change County Change State Change <br />1930 1,412 7,798 1,035,791 <br />1940 1,952 39 1 0,463 34 1 ,123,296 8 <br />1950 1,966 01 9,991 -5 1,325,089 18 <br />1960 2,196 12 14,024 40 1.753,947 32 <br />1970 1,641 -25 12,952 -8 2,209,596 26 <br />1980 1 ,658 1 16,510 28 2.888,834 31 <br /> <br />Short term growth in the counties has occurred fran the Dolores project. <br />Little additional growth fran implementill5 the Dolores project is anticipated. <br />The reduction in construction workers fran the Dolores Project will nnre than <br />offset any slight increase fran converting the dry cropland to irrigation. <br />Increased housing needs, therefore, should not be a problem and relocation of <br />people is not anticipated. <br /> <br />Long term population projections for the area are estimated at about 1 <br />percent per year growth and will probably follow historical growth trends. Major <br />growth impacts will be fran the Dolores Project development, expansion of the <br />agriculture and tourist industries, the desirability of the area for retiranent <br />an:! the contimed development of nearby energy resources. <br /> <br />M:mtezuma and Dolores Colmties have a work force of aboot 9,425 persons <br />including 8,649 presently employed '}) . The unemployment rate is 8.2 percent as <br />canpared with 5.4 percent unemployment for Colorado. Rural areas acCOtmt for <br />approximately 45 percent of the population, however, only 405 are presently <br />employed in agriculture. <br /> <br />Employment data for 1985 indicates the service industry as a mole is the <br />largest employer in the area. Other large employers include retail trade, <br />professional, health and education, and construction. <br /> <br />Construction is the major personal incane source of this area. Much of this <br />incane is due to the construction going on for the IDR Dolores Project and will <br />decrease upon canpletion. <br /> <br />Current estimates indicate a gradual growth in the overall IllJIIber of jobs in <br />the area. Employment trend estimates perceive the number of jobs in agriculture <br /> <br />1/ Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Employment and <br />Training. August 1985 <br /> <br />-7- <br />