Longmont is partnering with Boulder, Lafayette, Louisville and Erie to explore increasing minimum wage.
Colorado allows municipalities and counties to set their own minimum wages. On Jan. 1, the Boulder County Commissioners voted to increase its minimum wage to $15.69 or to $12.67 with tips.
The conversation has been heated with businesses expressing concerns including maintaining staffing numbers or affording the increased costs. Others in the county stated that housing and food costs were too high not to increase minimum wage.
Local municipalities face potential votes on the matter this year and are in the process of gathering data through a series of engagement sessions to discuss the topic with business leaders and members of the community.
“Regional collaboration is not a commitment to adopt a new minimum wage, but a recognition that any decision made will have impacts that extend beyond city boundaries as many people live and work in different communities,” the cities said in a news release. “Information collected from community engagement and economic analysis will inform elected officials in each jurisdiction whether and how to move forward with ordinances regarding local minimum wage.”
People are invited to respond to the online questionnaire or attend a focus group session. Each engagement session is designed with a specific audience in mind. Business sessions are intended for business owners, employers and self-employed people. Community sessions are intended for near-minimum-wage earners, students and retirees. However, anyone is welcome to attend any session. Spanish interpretation will be available at all events, and some of the business and community sessions will be offered completely in Spanish (with English interpretation).
The following engagement sessions are scheduled:
- Feb. 23, 9 a.m., Longmont Civic Center, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont.
- Feb. 27, 5:30 p.m., Boulder Chamber, 2440 Pearl St., Boulder.
- March 6, 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., location to be determined.
- March 7, 9:30 a.m., Longmont Civic Center, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont.
- March 8, 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., location to be determined.
- March 12, 5:30 p.m., held virtually on Zoom.
- March 13, 5:30 p.m., location to be determined.
- March 27, 2:30 p.m., Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder.
- April 4, 5:30 p.m., Louisville Recreation and Senior Center, 900 Via Appia Way, Louisville.
- April 12, 10 a.m., location to be determined.
