Colorado's economy delivers mixed results in mid-2025
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Colorado's latest economic data is sending mixed signals at the halfway mark of 2025.
By the numbers: Metro Denver's inflation rate through June ticked up to 2.3% year-over-year, nudging past May's 2.2%, per a new report from the University of Colorado Boulder's Leeds School of Business and the Secretary of State's office.
- That's still below the national average of 2.7% in June, which marked the swiftest pace since February as Trump-era tariffs began taking a bigger bite out of the economy.
Stunning stat: New business filings statewide surged to 51,200 in the second quarter of 2025, up 19% year-over-year — marking Colorado's strongest second quarter on record, according to Brian Lewandowski with the Leeds School of Business.
The intrigue: It's unclear what's behind the spike or which sectors are seeing the most new ventures. But Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold floated a theory: a mix of entrepreneurial spirit and financial pressure.
- Some Coloradans may be looking to supplement income "after noticing that their money at the grocery store isn't going as far as it used to," Griswold told reporters Monday.
Zoom out: Job growth across Colorado rose 0.4% last month, the state's fourth-highest rate on record.
- Labor force participation held strong at 67.7% — sixth-highest nationally.
Yes, but: Home prices in Colorado continued to climb last month — up 2.3% year-over-year.
What they're saying: The state's economy "has remained resilient," Griswold said in a statement. "But many Coloradans struggle with the cost of living, and Trump's new law will increase the cost of energy, health care and more," the Democrat warned, referring to the president's "big, beautiful bill."
What we're watching: Colorado's resilience could soon face a tougher test.
- Economists anticipate accelerating tariff-driven inflation nationwide in the months ahead, as companies burn through stockpiles of pre-tariff goods and raise prices to recoup costs.