DENVER - Employers added jobs but the state's unemployment rate rose 0.2 percent to 8.1 percent in May, according to the latest employment report from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

The increase in the unemployment rate was caused by an increase in the number of people searching for work, according to a press release from the state.

Employers in Colorado added 2,000 nonfarm payroll jobs from April to May for a total of 2,291,700 nonfarm payroll jobs.

The largest private-sector job gains were in financial activities and leisure and hospitality. The largest declines were in trade, transportation and utilities.

The national unemployment rate increased 0.1 percent to 8.2 percent during the same period.

For the year, Colorado's unemployment rate is down 0.3 percent from 8.4 percent in May 2011. The national unemployment rate declined from 9 percent to 8.2 percent from May 2011 to May 2012.

The unemployment rate is based on a survey of households.