This year, hiring is especially tough. But why?

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is looking for a jailer. It usually gets 10 to 20 applications for the post — but as of last week, just one person had expressed interest.

At The River Pizza & Subs in Boulder, Greg Hughes normally has 10 to 12 workers heading into the summer. Now, he is making due with just five. Tizer Gardens in Jeffersonville is scrambling to find enough people to prepare its nursery for the busy spring season. In Montana City, the Jackson Creek Bar & Grille has closed on Mondays for lack of kitchen help, according to its Facebook page.

Montana has endured a tight labor market for years — but across Jefferson County, employers say hiring this spring has been especially challenging. “It’s a struggle,” said Kellie Doherty, human resources director for the county government. “I’ve never seen it this hard before.”