The Cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville and the Town of Erie are collectively exploring a potential increase to the local minimum wage in their respective communities, as allowed by state law.
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The Cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville and the Town of Erie are collectively exploring a potential increase to the local minimum wage in their respective communities, as allowed by state law. At the end of this exploration, these municipalities will consider an increased minimum wage level that is competitive, responsive to current and future needs, and meets as many shared outcomes as possible. The minimum wage amount will be determined through thorough research and community engagement over the next few months.
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. 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.
An economic analysis is being conducted by ECOnorthwest to determine the potential economic effects of increasing regional minimum wage on local businesses, employers, workers, and overall local socio-economic indicators. The results of the analysis will include recommendations for a new target wage, how to escalate the target, and how the new minimum wage could be adjusted annually after the initial target is reached.
Beginning this month, there are opportunities to engage virtually and in-person, with English and Spanish options. Community engagement will help elected officials understand how much people are currently being paid, how people feel about raising the minimum wage, and any positive and negative impacts that may come to individuals, businesses, and the community.
People are invited to respond to the online questionnaire, and in particular local governments are inviting low wage earners and employers to participate in one of many focus group sessions available. Visit this link to learn how to join a focus group in each of the cities participating in the study. The window for engagement is expected to close on April 15. In summer of 2024, councils will be presented with feedback from community engagement as well as the findings of the third-party economic analysis as they consider if and how to move forward with an increase to the minimum wage.
Each engagement session is designed with a specific audience in mind; however, anyone is welcome to attend any session. Business sessions are intended for business owners, employers and self-employed people. Community sessions are intended for near-minimum-wage earners, students and retirees. 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).
| Date | Location | Session Type | Host |
|---|---|---|---|
Fri, Feb. 23, 9 – 10:30 a.m.
| Longmont Civic Center, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont | Business | City of Longmont & Longmont Chamber of Commerce |
| Tue, Feb. 27, 5:30-7p.m | Boulder Chamber, 2440 Pearl St., Boulder | Business | City of Boulder and Boulder Chamber of Commerce |
| Wed, March 6, 11a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 2 – 3:30 p.m. | The Time’s Collaborative, 3338 Main St. Longmont
| Business | City of Longmont & Longmont Chamber of Commerce
|
| Thur, March 7, 9:30 – 11a.m. | Longmont Civic Center, 350 Kimbark St., Longmont | Business (conversation in Spanish with English interpretation) | City of Longmont & Sustainable Business Program |
Fri, March 8, 10 – 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 – 3 p.m.
| Longmont Civic Center (Council Study Session Room) 350 Kimbark St. Longmont | Business | City of Longmont & Longmont Chamber of Commerce
|
Tue, March 12, 5:30-7 p.m.
| Virtual | Community | Cities of Boulder, Lafayette & Louisville |
Wed, March 13, 5:30 -7 p.m.
| Penfield Tate II Municipal Building - Room N101 – 1777 Broadway, Boulder. | Community | City of Boulder |
Wed, March 27, 2:30 - 4p.m.
| The Velvet Elk Lounge, 2037 13th St., Boulder | Business | City of Boulder & Boulder County Chapter of the Colorado Restaurant Association |
| Thur, April 4, 3:30 - 5 p.m. | Longmont Civic Center (Council Study Session Room) 350 Kimbark St. Longmont | Community (conversation in Spanish with English interpretation) | City of Longmont Sustainable Business Program |
Thur, April 4, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
| Louisville Recreation and Senior Center, 900 Via Appia Way, Louisville | Community | Cities of Boulder, Lafayette & Louisville |
| Thur, April 11, 9 - 10 a.m. | Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Rd., Lafayette | Business | Cities of Lafayette and Louisville |
Sat, April 13, 10 - 11:30 a.m.
| North Boulder Recreation Center - Bison Room - 3170 North Broadway, Boulder. | Community (conversation in Spanish with English interpretation) | City of Boulder |
If municipalities decide to move forward with the implementation of a new minimum wage it would become effective on January 1, 2025. For more information on this effort visit our Regional Minimum Wage project website.