Colorado biz leaders remain pessimistic as job growth slows

BOULDER — As Colorado’s job growth slows to a level that one University of Colorado Boulder economist calls “confounding,” state business leaders continue to express widespread pessimism about the economic landscape. 

CU’s Leeds Business Confidence Index dipped slightly heading into the fourth quarter of 2023, with respondents citing interest rates, inflation and national politics as leading sources of heartburn. 

The LBCI fell half a point to 43.6 in the third quarter. An LBCI score — which is based on impressions of the state economy, national economy, industry sales, industry profits, industry hiring and capital expenditures — of 50 is neutral. Heading into…