Betsy Markey and Mike Coffman get bipartisan bad news in new wage figures

In just-released county and employment figures from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, two Colorado counties get significant spotlight time -- and not in a way calculated to please representatives Betsy Markey and Mike Coffman. Weld County, part of Democrat Markey's congressional district, finished first among large U.S...

By Michael Roberts

January 13, 2010

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In just-released county and employment figures from the Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics, two Colorado counties get significant spotlight time -- and not in a way calculated to please representatives Betsy Markey and Mike Coffman.

Weld County, part of Democrat Markey's congressional district, finished first among large U.S. counties when it comes to percentage decrease in wages -- a whopping 9 percent. Moreover, Weld placed second in average weekly wage decrease: $68.

The news is almost as bad for Republican Coffman. Douglas County, in his district, finished third in the nation when it comes to percentage decrease in wages (6.1 percent) and the same position for weekly wage decrease ($55). During the upcoming campaign, expect their opponents to mention these numbers a time or twenty.

Check out the entire report by clicking here.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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