Colorado’s gig economy is like everything else Colorado—high-tech, smart, and strategic.
Think lemonade stand turned into a made-to-order coffee bar during the morning rush hour. Jobs allow workers to earn cash on their own terms, not necessarily at a retail chain, as a server, or babysitting the neighbor’s kids, like in the days of old. According to a May 2018 ranking by Amazon, Colorado comes in at fourth on a list of the top 10 states for entrepreneurial-ness. And, the gig economy is just that: entrepreneurial, offering flexibility for workers and employers alike.
Here are some of the top gigs right now that are changing life for everyone in Denver South.
Ridesharing.
As of 2019, there are roughly 13,000 Uber drivers in Colorado. According to a 2016 study by Survey Monkey, about 82% of Lyft drivers work less than 20 hours per week, with drivers able to adjust their hours according to their financial needs and experience. According to the same study, about 53.3% of drivers have a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is significantly higher than the national average of 33%. Consider it a good way to moonlight and pay off those college loans, or for out of town business travelers to hitch a ride to morning meetings.
Everything delivered.
Grocery delivery services in the region now include AmazonFresh, Prime Now, Instacart, and Postmates, in addition to services provided by King Soopers or Safeway. And that’s just the start. Meal delivery options also include GrubHub and DoorDash. These delivery services offer flexible part-time jobs for anyone from college students to retired professionals. It’s about more than just food, though. There are now also local services that deliver urgent care, pet sitting, personal training, lawn care, snow removal, and more.
Rent your…
From your workspace to your wedding dress, you can rent it out to an interested user. According to data from Airdna, a Denver-based rental market data analysis company, there are over 2,600 users in Denver and another 1,000 in Boulder, all actively renting their stuff out to others. While the rental market is less concentrated in Denver South, it does exist and is rapidly changing the way we all rent.
Skilled freelance services.
Freelancing offers workers more flexibility than ever before. Although it comes at a cost (namely traditional benefits and office camaraderie), it’s becoming an increasingly attractive type of work for talented and experienced professionals. According to a recent report by UpWork, the largest global freelancing website, as skills become increasingly specialized, HR teams are adapting new talent strategies, including bringing on project-based freelancers with specific skill sets.
While the downside of these part-time roles is largely the lack of benefits, many people taking on these “gigs” use them primarily to supplement income, rather than as full-time work.
As explained by Alexandra Hall, chief economist for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: “Ten years ago, if someone needed extra work, their option was to go to retail stores or utility services… But today…you can just download an app on your phone and drive people or rent out an empty space in your home. This lower barrier to enter makes it easier to find income.”
So, it’s fair to say that if anything, the gig economy is creating more work for everyone. And that’s a good thing.
