FACT SHEET: Colorado Poverty
Poverty in Colorado has increased since 2001. The total poverty rate in Colorado increased from 9.6% in 2001 to 11.4% in 2008. Furthermore, Colorado’s child poverty rate increased from 12.2% in 2001 to 15.1% in 2008, and the family poverty rate increased from 6.8% in 2001 to 7.8% in 2008. All of the above changes are statistically significant, and place Colorado 33nd among states in overall poverty and 32nd in child poverty. 2001 serves as a useful benchmark for comparison of economic outcomes, as it was the first year of the previous recession and thus represents the same position in the business cycle we are experiencing today.
Released Oct. 15, 2009

