Changes in the employment and wage levels of the mining and manufacturing sectors illustrate the development of Colorado's new economy. Mining sector employment decreased from 33,000 workers in 1985 to a projected 14,000 in 2000. The replacement of workers with technology is evident, as current mineral production in most categories is at or above 1980 levels. Manufacturing sector employment increased by 10 percent from 1985 - 2000 to an estimated 209,000. State high-technology manufacturers have benefited from strong export sales, as well as the evolution of the new economy.
Many factors keep manufacturing employment numbers from being stronger.
The trend toward outsourcing increases service sector employment at the expense of manufacturing. Additionally, as manufacturing organizations evolve, they have been reclassified to other sectors. Currently, Colorado ranks in the top 12 states in the number of technology workers. Technology jobs represented 25 percent of Colorado's work force growth in a recent five-year period. Strong growth potential exists for the overall high-tech industry for at least the next 10 years.