Denver’s unemployment rate is dropping slower than 174 American cities, according to a study released Wednesday by Wallethub.

The study, “Cities Whose Unemployment Rates are Bouncing Back Most,” showed Denver ranks #175 out of 180 other cities with an unemployment rate of 9.3% in December. Its numbers come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment showed an unemployment rate of 8.4% for December, up from November’s 6.7%. 

Wallethub’s study showed Denver’s unemployment rate soared 315% from December 2019, and 243% since January 2020.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has been disastrous for U.S. employment, but the job market is showing signs of healing due to states reopening partially or fully,” according to the credit reporting company’s Wednesday release.

Colorado Springs ranked #168, with an unemployment rate of 9%.

Economists have theorized states with less restrictive business closure rules related to the pandemic shed fewer jobs. The study seems to bear that out, as the lowest unemployment rates were in cities in South Dakota (Sioux Falls topped the list), Kansas, Nebraska, Alaska, Arkansas and Iowa. Cheyenne ranked #11 with a 4.2% jobless level.

“It will likely take a long time for the unemployment rate to return to the historic low it experienced prior to the coronavirus crisis.”