End Boulder County's Unfair Minimum Wage Disparity
Boulder County's minimum wage policy creates an uneven playing field that threatens the survival of Niwot's small businesses. All incorporated towns refused to participate, but unincorporated areas like Niwot had no choice.
Boulder County created a two-tier system that puts Niwot businesses at a severe competitive disadvantage
✅ ALL incorporated towns in Boulder County REFUSED TO PARTICIPATE
❌ Unincorporated areas like Niwot had NO CHOICE
This creates unfair competition based solely on arbitrary jurisdictional boundaries
2025 Boulder County Minimum
Rising to $25.00/hour by 2030
Colorado State Minimum
Louisville • Lafayette • Longmont
| Year | Boulder County (Niwot) |
Colorado State (Competitors) |
Niwot Disadvantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $16.57 | $14.92 | 11.1% higher |
| 2026 | $17.99 | ~$15.44 | 16.5% higher |
| 2027 | $19.53 | ~$15.98 | 22.2% higher |
| 2028 | $21.21 | ~$16.54 | 28.2% higher |
| 2030 | $25.00 | ~$17.72 | 41.1% HIGHER |
The damage is already happening, and it's getting worse every year
Higher wages than state minimum by 2030
Restaurants already closed in Niwot
Decline in business activity
(from $27M avg to $20M)
The only viable path forward is equal treatment for all Boulder County communities.
Allow unincorporated areas to follow Colorado state minimum wage, just like all incorporated towns chose to do. This creates a level playing field while complying with state law requirements.
Tell Boulder County Commissioners to create a level playing field and stay informed about our campaign progress
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Connect with the Niwot Business Association and other organizations fighting this issue.
Get Involved"Create a level playing field. Allow unincorporated areas to follow state minimum wage like incorporated towns chose to do."
We support fair wages AND fair competition. The current policy creates winners and losers based on arbitrary boundaries, not economic merit.
Review the research, editorial support, and official documents that support our position
Common Sense Institute provides independent economic analysis on weighing minimum wage increases across Boulder County and their impacts on small businesses.
Read ResearchThe Daily Camera Editorial Board supports our efforts. Read their editorial opinion on the minimum wage disparity issue affecting unincorporated Boulder County.
Read EditorialRead the official resolution from the Niwot Local Improvement District (NLID) to Boulder County Commissioners regarding additional minimum wage increases.
Read LetterLocal farmers and businesses unite regarding minimum wage challenges. Read about the agricultural perspective and coalition efforts in this Left Hand Valley Courier article.
Read ArticleContact the decision-makers directly. Your voice can make the difference.
Click any button below to open a pre-written professional letter in your email client:
District 1 - Eastern Boulder County
Former State Representative with legal background and policy expertise
Email: clevy@bouldercounty.org
Phone: 303-441-3520
District 2 - Northern Boulder County
First Latina Commissioner, background in real estate and community organizing
Email: mloachamin@bouldercounty.org
Phone: 303-441-3520
District 3 - Southern/Western Boulder County
Former Mayor of Louisville with engineering background and economic development focus
Email: astolzmann@bouldercounty.org
Phone: 303-441-3520
Save Niwot