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State Demography Office Homepage

About the State Demography Office

The primary source for Colorado population and demographic information

The State Demography Office is the primary state agency for population and demographic information. Its data are used by state agencies to forecast demand for facilities and services. These data are also used by local governments and non-profit organizations in the state to anticipate growth or decline and to plan and develop programs and community resources. The office's location in the Department of Local Affairs insures that its data and information is developed in ways that account for local input and needs. The office makes the data publicly available on their website, answers requests for economic and demographic data and provides training workshops on accessing and using the data.

Census:

The U.S. Census Bureau conducts a complete survey of the population every ten years (ending in zero). The office represents state and local needs and concerns relating to the conduct of the decennial census. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau collects social and economic characteristics of the population in part to determine the needs for federal grant programs. The State Demography Office processes these data and makes them available to the public on our website. Local governments use this information to better understand their communities and identify areas of need. In order to achieve the best census possible, the State Demography Office works with the Census Bureau and local governments in updating maps of all streets, and inventories of all housing units.

Population Estimates

The State Demography Office prepares annual estimates of the total population for Colorado counties, municipalities and special districts that provide park and recreation services. The estimates are based on data indicative of population change: births, deaths, migration, new housing units, jobs, school enrollment and Medicare enrollment. Local governments assist in the process by providing and reviewing data since Conservation Trust Fund allocations are tied to the population estimates.

Population Forecasts

The State Demography Office prepares population forecasts for the counties and regions of the state by age and sex and ethnicity/race (state only) to the year 2050. Population change is tied to understandings of both economic and demographic change.

The demographic forecast estimates the current population from one year to the next by age and sex. Deaths are forecast according to age and sex specific death rates. Women of child-bearing age give birth to children according to age-specific fertility rates. Demographic migration for groups such as students, military, prisoners and retirees are also included. Characteristics of the population that are fundamental to understanding the relationship between the economy and the population include commuting, labor force participation rates, and multiple job holding rates.

An economic forecast establishes the demand for labor while our demographic cohort-survival model indicates supply of labor provided by existing populations. The difference between the demand and the labor supply sets the foundation for the net migration of population and households.

The economic forecast is prepared by analyzing and forecasting economic base or market "drivers" for the state and its counties. National and regional conditions are studied as well as local attitudes toward growth to determine the market potential for specific drivers. The final economic forecast includes local, regional and national perspectives.

The integration of the economic and demographic forecast balances labor demand (economic) with the labor supply (demographic) and sets the foundation for economic migration from either job growth or decline.

GIS Data and Maps

The State Demography Office collects boundaries from municipalities and special districts via the Conservation Trust Fund program which are integrated into a GIS for our annual population estimates program. We also manage state participation in census geographic programs. Thematic and reference maps are available on our website; custom maps are available by request.

Data Dissemination

The State Demography Office is committed to increasing data accessibility for the public. This includes informing state agencies, local governments and the news media of new demographic developments and assisting them in understanding and interpreting demographic data and information.

In Land Use and Other Resource Use Planning
  • Base economic, population, and housing data for the analyses of land, water and other resource use.
  • Forecasts of jobs, population and housing, for use in forecasting land, water and other resource demands.
  • Understandings of various relationships between jobs and income and that of population, households, and household income, and of resource use as caused by particular projects and plans.
Economic Development Analyses
  • Information on the existing economy: jobs by industry, sources of income.
  • Identification of major components of the economy: basic industries, drivers, non-basic industries.
  • SWOT analyses.
  • Forecasts of industry possibilities.
In Workforce Development Analyses
  • Forecasts of the demand for labor.
  • Analysis of the existing supply of labor.
  • Analysis of labor force potential and needs for training of all and special populations.
  • Analysis of existing matches between labor demand and labor supply, including commuters.
In Population Surveys and Analyses
  • Base data on the population regarding age, sex, ethnicity, ancestry, income, other for evaluation of citizen, voter, consumer, and user preferences.
  • In social analysis of living arrangements.
  • Historical and base data on living arrangements over time.
  • Existing and prepared cross-tabulations of many variables in relation to living arrangements.
In Health Services Planning
  • In the analysis of incidents or rates of diseases and other health problems to population and other characteristics.
  • In the forecasting of needs for health services.
  • In Education Planning.
  • In the analysis of education levels in relationship to population and economic characteristics.
  • In the forecasting of needs for educational services.
In Housing Needs Assessments
  • Household income data for determining the demand or needs for housing.
  • Housing data -
    • Data on units in structure, occupancy, tenure, and characteristics -for analyses of existing supply.
    • The analysis of housing demand in relation to population and other characteristics.
  • Forecasts of housing demands and needs based on economic forecasts and in relation to household income.
In Community Service Needs Assessments (public, private and non-profit)
  • The analysis of service demands and/or needs in relation to demographic and other characteristics.
  • Forecasts of community service demands / needs based on economic and demographic forecasts.
Other Services Available
  • Answers to requests for economic and demographic data.
  • Provides user-training workshops on accessing and using census, demographic, and economic data.
  • Preparation of thematic and reference maps.
  • Performs County Commissioner redistricting analysis.

Contact Us

State Demography Office
1313 Sherman Street, Room 521
Denver, CO 80203

Kate M. Watkins
STATE DEMOGRAPHER
Phone: 303-864-7750
kate.m.watkins@state.co.us
Media Contact, Demographic and Economic Overviews

Neal Marquez
PROJECTIONS DEMOGRAPHER
Phone: 303-864-7752
neal.marquez@state.co.us
Population Forecasts and Modelling

Nancy Gedeon
ESTIMATES DEMOGRAPHER
Phone: 303-864-7755
nancy.gedeon@state.co.us
Population Estimates and Forecasts, Demographic Methods

Greg Totten
ECONOMIST
Phone: 303-864-7751
greg.totten@state.co.us
Economic Data & Analysis, Economic & Demographic Relationships

Todd Bleess
GIS DEVELOPER
Phone: 303-864-7754
todd.bleess@state.co.us
Geographic Information Systems Design, Analysis, Development, Mapping support, GIS Technical Support

Adam Bickford
DATA ANALYST AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Phone: 303-864-7753
adam.bickford@state.co.us
Census & ACS Data, Data Requests, User Training, Product Development, Population Estimates and Forecasts