Colorado's unemployment rate was steady at 4.4 percent in April but labor economists say rising energy and food prices are expected to dampen job growth.

The state Department of Labor and Employment said Friday that the jobless rate has been steady the last three months but is up eight-tenths of 1 percentage point from the same period a year ago and is the highest since mid-2006.

The national unemployment rate was 5 percent in April.

Total employment statewide increased in April by 58,200 jobs from the roughly 2.5 million jobs the same time last year.

But state labor chief Don Mares says the rising food and energy costs combined with continued sluggishness in construction will likely slow down job growth the rest of the year.