Colorado economic indicators seen as positive

DENVER (AP) -- Unemployment was down and wages and personal income up in Colorado in the first three months of 2014, according to a report released Thursday by Colorado's secretary of state.

The head of the research division at the University of Colorado's Leeds School of Business, which conducted the study, said a dip in new business filings would have to be monitored to determine whether a new trend had begun. But overall, Richard Wobbekind said, "The economic metrics are overwhelmingly positive this quarter."

Colorado Secretary of State Scott Gessler said that as business leaders continue to create jobs, "hopefully our employment continues to tick upwards."

The study concludes that continued growth in employment and income is boosting confidence nationally and in the state.

In Colorado, unemployment dipped to 6.1 percent from 6.3 percent in the previous three months, personal income grew 0.6 percent, wages 0.5 percent and retail sales 1.8 percent.