COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Colorado has experienced the nation's largest shift from private to public sector employment, with the state gaining more than 15,000 government jobs while losing nearly the same number of private sector positions between February 2024 and 2025, according to a new report.

The trend is creating challenges for local businesses like IICON, a Colorado Springs-based construction company working on projects including Atlas Prep Middle School and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo's giraffe exhibit.

"There's a lot of competition in El Paso County, so right now I think it's harder than it was maybe 3 years ago," said Greg Collier, IICON's owner.

Collier's company employs 31 workers and has completed projects throughout El Paso County, including work at Fort Carson and th

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