DENVER - For the first time since 2005, Colorado's unemployment rate is above the national unemployment rate, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

The report also found Boulder has the lowest unemployment rate of Colorado's major cities.

Colorado's unemployment rate declined one-tenth of a percentage point in August to 8.2 percent, according to a report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The department found that the decline was not based on new job creation, but rather people leaving the labor force.

The U.S. unemployment rate declined two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.1 percent. It is the first month Colorado has underperformed the nation since September 2005.

In August 2011, Colorado had an 8.3 percent unemployment rate and the national rate was 9.1 percent.

The unemployment rate is based on a survey of households.

Boulder and Broomfield counties are bucking the trend. The not-seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate in Boulder County fell to 6.1 percent in August, down from 6.5 percent in July and 6.3 percent in August 2011.

Broomfield's unemployment rate fell to 7.1 percent in August, down from 7.7 percent in July and 7.6 percent in August 2011.

The division also broke out the unemployment rate for Colorado's major cities. Boulder's rate in August was 5.6 percent, giving it the lowest rate. In July it was 6.3 percent.

Longmont's rate was 7.3 percent in August, down from 7.8 percent in July.

A survey of Colorado businesses found the number of nonfarm payroll jobs was unchanged from July to August at 2,293,300 jobs. Private-sector payroll jobs decreased 1,700 and government increased 1,700.