DENVER - The statewide unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of one percentage point in November to 7.7 percent, according to a report released Friday by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Nonfarm payroll jobs increased 8,000 from October to November to 2,317,100 jobs, according to a survey of business establishments. Private-sector payroll jobs increased by 7,000 and government increased by 1,000, according to the report.

The decrease in the unemployment rate was caused by a larger decline in the number of people actively participating in the labor force than the decline in the number of people reporting their status as employed, according to the report.

The unemployment rate in Boulder County decreased one-tenth of a percentage point in November to 5.7 percent, compared with 5.8 in October. The unemployment rate in the county in November 2011 was 5.7 percent.

Broomfield County's rate fell one-tenth of a percentage point to 6.8 percent, down from 6.9 percent in October. Broomfied's rate in November 2011 was 6.9 percent.

The national unemployment rate decreased two-tenths of one percentage point over the same period to 7.7percent.