DENVER -- It may not seem like it with all the economic bad news out there, but many companies in Colorado are hiring -- as long as you're willing to work part-time.

When Lisa Moore decided to go back to school and get a masters degree, she knew what kind of work she didn't want to do.

"I was looking for something part-time but I didn't want to go get a part-time retail job or a job making coffee," Moore said.

Moore's situation may be familiar to many Coloradans who are looking for a new job. Part-time work implies retail or food service, which for a lifetime worker with years of experience, would feel like a step backward.

"I wanted something that I could continue using my skills and try to stay in the industry that I was working in," Moore said. "I thought getting a good job like that was going to be really hard to find."

Through a friend Moore was introduced to 10 Til 2. Mostly an online company, 10 till 2 specializes in matching employers with workers only willing to work part-time. Current job openings on their site included a leads generator and an IT help desk position.

Moore said she filled out an online application and 10 Til 2 "took my resume and went out to employers and marketed me."

She wound up at the Carlin Group, a downtown Denver consulting firm, working part-time as director of operations.

"This job has worked out really well for me," Moore said.

Moore's boss, John Golinvaux, said part-time workers are becoming increasingly attractive to employers in the recession.

"For most small businesses, their main currency is time," Golinvaux said. "From a small business owner's perspective, like mine, that is really the way to allow your business to thrive and grow."

Ten till 2 Chief Sales Officer Jodi Olin agreed, adding that her company has seen an increase in applications.

"Our candidate pool grows every day," Olin said. "There is no question as more people are feeling the economic pinch, more people are applying to our database."

"There are a lot of people looking for jobs right now," she added.

Olin said 10 Til 2 recruits candidates like Moore to work jobs that require advanced skills and experience.

"Ninety-three percent of our candidates have a college degree and the average age is 37. We are talking about a mature person who's been in the work force," Olin said.

As the recession drags on, part-time work may be a more attractive alternative then the backlogged unemployment system. And when the recession ends, part-time work can easily grow into full-time by helping the worker to keep skills fresh and network inside the company.

"We look at this as a very good opportunity," Olin said. "We are putting people to work.”