Boulder County Commissioners Push for Slower Minimum Wage Hike

UPDATE: Boulder County commissioners are taking urgent steps to modify the county’s minimum wage plan, proposing a slower increase schedule that mirrors the city of Boulder’s wage framework. During a meeting on Tuesday, officials revealed they support setting the county’s minimum wage at $16.82 per hour starting January 1, 2026, aligning with Boulder’s current rate.

The proposed plan includes a significant shift beginning in 2027, as the county minimum wage would be tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). If the CPI increases by an expected 3% annually, this could elevate the county minimum wage to $18.93 by 2030, according to county staff.

Currently, the minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County is $16.57 per hour. A prior schedule approved by commissioners in 2023 aimed for an annual increase of approximately 8.6% until the wage reached $25 per hour by 2030. However, Boulder’s minimum wage is set to rise by 8% each year before transitioning to a CPI-based model starting January 1, 2028.

Commissioners voted to draft an ordinance to modify the previously adopted wage increase plan, with no date set for the first reading. Commissioners Marta Loachamin and Claire Levy voted in favor, while Ashley Stolzmann opposed, advocating for maintaining the original schedule.

Loachamin highlighted that raising the minimum wage is crucial for worker security, stating, “It just does provide, in my mind, some security to workers to know if they make a commitment to be in Boulder County that they won’t be working for less than this amount.”

The ongoing debate has stirred significant controversy. During a recent public hearing, business owners expressed concerns that proposed wage hikes could threaten their operations. Advocates for the increases argue that workers need fair compensation to afford living in the communities they serve.

Stolzmann, the sole dissenting voice, emphasized the need to prioritize essential workers, stating, “During the pandemic, people lined the streets with signs calling workers who earn minimum wage heroes. We have to stop letting down the people we call heroes of the community.”

As the commission revisits its wage policies, all eyes will be on the upcoming proposals and how they balance economic pressures against the needs of local workers. The county’s minimum wage applies specifically to unincorporated areas, including Gunbarrel, Hygiene, and Niwot, making this a critical issue for many residents.

Stay tuned for further updates as Boulder County navigates this contentious conversation over minimum wage adjustments.