Pueblo County

Unemployment in Pueblo County has risen to 5.6% in June 2026, marking a second straight monthly increase after hitting a low of 5.0% in April. The reversal represents a 12% climb from that recent trough and follows a volatile six-month pattern that peaked at 6.3% in January before the April dip. With a labor force of 70,445, the uptick signals renewed softening in the county's employment market after a brief stabilization period.

The employment pressure arrives as Pueblo County faces an additional burden: the county received its first FEMA disaster declaration of 2026 on June 29 for a fire event (DR-5642). The federal designation opens recovery programs for residents and infrastructure, but comes as job availability is contracting.

Home values provide a mixed backdrop. Median home values have climbed modestly from $284,346 in late March to $288,548 in July, but turned downward in August to $286,965—a potential early signal of cooling in the real estate market.

Story angle: Investigate whether the fire disaster and economic disruption are connected to the employment uptick, and how federal recovery resources are addressing both immediate disaster recovery and broader labor market challenges.