Agriculture Calf prices decreased significantly both seasonally and annually. The prolonged decline in calf prices appears to be associated with significant oversupply in beef cattle markets. Alfalfa hay prices declined slightly on a quarterly basis and moderately on an annual basis. The two combined created a 4.5 percent decline seasonally and a 14.8 percent drop annually in the agriculture sector. Industrial Activity Industrial kilowatt-hour use declined slightly by 1.7 percent on a quarterly basis but increased sharply by 19.8 percent on an annual basis.
Most industrial electricity is used to compress natural gas for pipeline transmission.
The number of residential electric meters showed little change on a quarterly basis but increased 4.1 percent from the previous year. The annual increase is evidence of continuing population growth in the county. Finance La Plata County bank deposits, after adjustment for inflation, showed little change on a quarterly basis but increased more than 6 percent annually. Fort Lewis College Fort Lewis College enrollment grew by more than 6 percent from the previous year and showed its regular seasonal jump from the third to fourth quarters. The college has a history of moderate, controlled growth.