Denver Leaders Propose Increasing Minimum Wage To $15.87

DENVER, CO — City and County of Denver leaders unveiled a proposal Thursday that would increase the minimum wage to $15.87 per hour within two years. The proposal would begin with an increase to $13.80 per hour on Jan. 1, 2020, and to $15.87 per hour on Jan. 1, 2021.

City council voted in March to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour for city employees by 2021.

The minimum wage increase would boost the paychecks of more than 100,000 people who work in the city, according to the Office of Councilwoman Robin Kneich. The councilwoman presented her office's report alongside Mayor Michael Hancock Thursday outside the City and County Building.

Under the new proposal, adults and emancipated minors would receive the increase. Youth wages will be discussed in upcoming city meetings, Hancock and Kneich said.

Nearly 40 percent of black employees and more than 50 percent of Hispanic employees in Denver would receive higher paychecks under the new proposal, the city said.

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As $15 minimum wage rallies continue across the country, critics of the increase say small businesses would suffer and larger businesses may downsize their work forces to compensate for higher paychecks.

Kneich said talks are already underway with stakeholders and that she hopes to work with local businesses as partners to implement the proposal. Kneich said she believes the wage boost will result in fewer labor shortages and less turnover.

A string of town hall meetings will be held in October before a final council vote, which could be held as early as November.