DENVER - The unemployment rate in the Boulder-Longmont area dropped to 5.3 percent in October, two-tenths of a percent less than September's rate, according to a report released Friday by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

A year ago unemployment for the area was 4.3 percent.

The number of workers in the area increased to 163,546 in October compared with 163,106 in September, but still about 10,000 workers short compared with October 2008.

Unemployment in Broomfield County dropped to 6.4 percent in October compared with 6.7 percent in September. A year ago it was 4.8 percent. The number of workers increased slightly, from 28,077 in September to 28,097 in October, but still below the 29,523 workers in October a year ago.

Colorado's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 6.9 percent in October. The October 2008 unemployment rate was 5.3 percent.

 "While the continued decline in the unemployment rate is very good news and our economy is faring better than many other states, this remains a difficult time for many Coloradans," said Donald J. Mares, executive director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment."We must continue to focus on assisting job seekers and employers to achieve a sustained recovery."

The number of working Coloradans fell 9,600 over the month to 2,474,300 out of a civilian labor force of 2,658,600. The number of residents unsuccessfully seeking work declined by 3,200 to 184,300. Last October, total employment was 2,595,500, the civilian labor force was 2,739,800 and the number of unemployed was 144,300.

Local economic conditions were mixed as the unemployment rate (not seasonally adjusted) declined in 28 of Colorado's 64 counties, increased in 25 and remained unchanged in 11.

The lowest rate was 2.1 percent in Cheyenne County and the highest was 13.5 percent in Dolores County.

Last year, the unemployment rate declined in seven counties, increased in 53 and was unchanged in four. In October 2008, the lowest rate was 2.1 percent in Yuma County and the highest was 7.3 percent in Crowley County.