Youth unemployment rates have reached 13 percent in the U.S. and even higher in the Grand Valley.

Business Services manager of the mesa county workforce center, Suzie Miller, says the grand valley is getting a slow start out of the recession.

Mesa County's unemployment rate is currently 8.6 percent.

Miller says the area is trending a higher unemployment rate than both the national and state average, which also means that youth unemployment numbers are higher.

Young adults represent almost 14 percent of Mesa County's population.

Miller says new graduates are becoming frustrated with the competitive job search.

"I think there's kind of a misconception that right out of college you should land an ideal job. What we're seeing is that all of those youth are competing with adults that have a lot more experience perhaps, and they wouldn't traditionally be competing for those certain positions," said Miller.

A great opportunity to apply for jobs is just around the corner.

42 employers will be at a job fair on Tuesday from 9AM to 4PM at the double tree hotel.

Those attending are asked to bring plenty of resumes and to dress for success