An increase in Colorado’s minimum wage, now $14.81 per hour ($30,804 a year before taxes and withholdings), by the state legislature’s allowed 15%, has been floated by Durango Forward, a workers’ advocacy group, as being needed because of Durango’s high cost of living. If the result is ‘yes,’ at that percent increase, the rate would become $17.03 per hour.
City Council fairly quickly heard from the Durango Chamber of Commerce’s leadership and a handful of businesses in opposition, largely stating that if it took place there would be a combination of increased costs for already businesses on the margin and service purchasers would be faced with higher prices as businesses passed on the wage increase to consumers.
Let businesses (many of whom are already paying close to $17 per hour) individually determine what is necessary to properly staff, in number and in skills, their businesses, and to weigh those effects on costs and customers, was the refrain.
But to have a broader conversation with both workers and additional businesses, which the council favored, a council study session will take place next month. And, because anecdotes can be limiting, there will be an effort to come up with some economic data that can be added to the discussion.
The Herald’s editorial board looks forward to the back and forth on the wage issue, and to what will be agreed upon. With the MIT Living Wage Calculator reporting that in 2025 a single La Plata County resident without children must earn $24/hour ($10 below the state minimum) working full-time to make ends meet, we’re unsure just how helpful $17 versus $15 an hour will be?
What are its impacts, for worker and employer, and should the higher amount – any amount – be mandated by municipal government? Can appealing working conditions, or unusually sympathetic management, offset a dollar or two?
Anecdotally – our own anecdotes, incomplete as any are – is that during COVID, the hourly rate climbed significantly, and that a “help wanted” window sign had to include a minimum of $16/hour. It could be a dollar or two above that now, in order to separate one short-staffed business from another and more likely lead to employee retention.
Durango has a multitude of small businesses and employees. We’d like to hear from you. Send letters of 250 words or less to letters@durangoherald.com.
