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Minimum Wage Efforts in Boulder County

We need your help to ensure that Boulder County farmers and small businesses don’t just survive—but thrive. Our local farmers and small business owners are already committed to paying employees fairly while keeping their goods and services affordable for the community. However, they are now facing an unfair burden.

What is the issue?

The Boulder County Commissioners have created a minimum wage ordinance which applies solely to Niwot and unincorporated areas. However, Boulder, Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Erie, Lyons, and Superior all view the ordinance as untenable and have set their own reasonable minimum wages.

Farmers and businesses in unincorporated Boulder County must pay a minimum wage that is 11.8% higher than surrounding cities and 6.5% higher than the City of Boulder.

  • This wage disparity places a disproportionate strain on our small businesses compared to the surrounding Boulder County cities.
  • A pressing concern is the projected rise of Niwot’s minimum wage to $25 per hour by 2030, with continued annual  increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). In stark contrast, nearby cities currently maintain minimum wages between the State of Colorado’s $14.81 per hour, up to $15.57 per hour. This disparity is already evident, as unincorporated Boulder County’s current minimum wage burdens local farmers and businesses with an 11% higher labor cost compared to some adjacent communities.
  • Unincorporated Boulder County minimum wage is currently $16.57/hr and set to rise again on Jan. 1, 2026.
  • This level of minimum wage will actually decrease the number of jobs available in unincorporated Boulder County

What are we asking for?

We are not opposed to minimum wage increases. We are simply asking the Commissioners to pause the increase to unincorporated Boulder County businesses and farmers, until the rest of the municipalities catch up. At that point, the unincorporated minimum wage can match the surrounding cities minimum wage. This is simply a plea for equal treatment between businesses in unincorporated and incorporated Boulder County.

What can I do to help?

  • Get Educated
    • Common Sense Institute Colorado research report Here
    • The Daily Camera Editorial Board supports our efforts. Read the latest Daily Camera Minimum Wage Ed Op here
    • Letter from the NLID to Boulder County Commissioners here
  • If you are a Boulder County Farmer, join the Community Farmers Alliance (CoFA) Read more from the farmer’s perspective here.
  • Discuss the issue with friends and family.
  • Volunteer to speak about the issue at public events.
  • Attend the BOCC public meetings.  Here’s a link to the BOCC website Board of County Commissioners – Boulder County where you can sign up to attend a meeting and speak if you wish.  Board of County Commissioners – Boulder County 
  • Write to your commissioners- Please call the front desk at 303-441-3500 for inquiries about the Commissioners’ schedules, constituent matters, and other administrative matters.
  • Contact the Board of County Commissioners at [email protected] about a specific county or constituent issue.

Download, print, & sign the letter here to send to the Commissioners.

 

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