Colorado is Growing

Pagosa Sun November 14, 2019

PAGOSA SPRINGSā€”More people moved into Colorado last year than moved out, continuing the Stateā€™s trend of population growth.  In 2018, approximately 239,000 people were attracted to Colorado and just over 203,000 people left, for a net gain of about 36,000, according to the US Census Bureauā€™s American Community Survey (ACS) estimates released October 31st.

In April 2020, the US Census Bureau will be making their once-a-decade count of all residents, including these newcomers.  Efforts are already underway in Colorado to help ensure a complete count.  Region Nine Economic Development District and the Southwest Colorado Council of Governments are coordinating efforts with the Colorado State Demographerā€™s Office.  Locally, the Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce is organizing the Archuleta County Complete Count Committee.  Their first meeting is Friday, November 15th, 11 am, at the Chamber offices, 105 Hot Springs Blvd, in Pagosa Springs.

The large number of people moving into and out of Colorado will be a challenge for the Census.  In Pagosa Springs, Texas license plates arenā€™t unusual to see in traffic across Southwest Colorado, but statewide the largest number of new residents moved from California.  Over 28,000 people left the Golden State for the Centennial State in 2018, with almost 27,000 making the move from the Lone Star State.  Florida contributed about 14,000, followed by over 11,000 from New Mexico and over 9,000 from Virginia.

The road does go both ways.  Texas gained over 21,000 former Colorado residents in 2018, with close to 19,000 moving to California, and close to 16,000 moving to Florida.  Arizona attracted over 11,000, followed by the state of Washington.

The US Census Bureau is recruiting 500,000 temporary workers nationwide to help conduct the census next year, with some already in the field preparing for the decennial survey.Ā  US Census staff in Archuleta County are anticipated to be managed out of Colorado Springs, with pay at about $14.00/hour [update $16.00/hr] and a flexible schedule.Ā  For more information visit https://2020census.gov .

(Published in the Pagosa Sun, 11/14/19, update 11/26).

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