DENVER — The unemployment rate in Boulder County remained steady in January, and the rate in Broomfield County dropped one-tenth of a percentage point, according to a labor report released Monday by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

The rate in Boulder County remained at 5.5 percent compared with December, and was one percentage point lower than January a year ago, the report said.

In Broomfield County, the rate dropped from 6.6 percent in December to 6.5 percent in January. The rate was 7.3 percent in January a year ago.

Both counties outperformed the state, which had a 7.3 percent unemployment rate, down from 7.5 percent in December.

Statewide, the largest over-the-month private-sector job gains were in trade, transportation, utilities and construction. Manufacturing declined by 1,200 jobs.

The unemployment rate is derived from a survey of households to see how many Coloradans have jobs.

February figures for Colorado will be released March 29.