Boulder County's minimum wage impact on the local farming community

The Boulder County Commissioners have introduced a new hourly minimum wage, a development extensively covered in the Left Hand Valley Courier. This wage change will have a significant and concerning impact on unincorporated communities, and local farmers, a group that is distinct from the incorporated cities or towns and which therefore faces unique challenges.

Michael Moss, owner of Kilt Farm, is the President of the Community Farmers Alliance (COFA) and is deeply concerned about the new hourly minimum wage and its potential negative impact on local farmers and other small businesses. COFA, a key player in this issue, represents 80% of vegetables produced in Boulder County and is actively working to address the challenges posed by the minimum wage increase.

Boulder County's minimum wage Ordinance 2023-4 became effective Jan. 1, 2024, with a minimum wage of $15.69 per hour, 15% above Colorado's 2023 minimum wage and $1.27 higher than surrounding incorporated towns and cities. Under the ordinance, the minimum wage for unincorporated Boulder County will increase yearly, reaching $25 per hour by 2030 and increasing in accordance with the Consumer Price Index thereafter.

Unlike the incorporated cities or towns within Boulder County, which have a separately elected town board or city council, the unincorporated communities of Boulder County are governed by the ordinances and regulations adopted by the Boulder County Commissioners.

The farming community and its members have had several one-on-one meetings with all three commissioners: Ashley Stolzmann, District 3; Marta Loachamin, District 2; and Claire Levy, District 1; but Moss said, "They are not changing their minds."

In response, COFA has taken proactive steps to represent the local farmers. They have hired a lobbyist who is actively engaging with farmers, local politicians, mayors, and city council members from local cities in the incorporated Boulder County. According to Moss, "Feedback so far shows that none of the municipalities feel that the $25 per hour minimum wage is valid."

COFA is focused on this approach as they believe the commissioners are entrenched in their position, but COFA remains hopeful for a resolution.

The farming community is working to build allies with entities such as the Chambers of Commerce and the Colorado Restaurant Association in the hope of getting ahead of the upcoming negative impact of this minimum wage ordinance. Moss explained, "It is not impacting the farming community, but soon, it will catch up."

By collaborating with cities and towns through this outreach approach, the farming community aims to gather valuable feedback and data to share with the commissioners, hoping to shift their perspectives.

Moss said, "We understand that we are not going to turn this ship right now, but we are preparing. The minimum wage for anyone with farming skills is between $17 and $20 per hour."

Moss explained, "We do not have enough people to farm and do this work. It is hard, exhausting work to want to do this. As costs go up, our prices will also have to go up. People in our community need to know we are competing with farmers in other counties and states. Our prices are not set by us, as the barriers of pricing are set nationally in communities where wages are lower. So, paying $25 an hour to people locally can potentially increase food prices locally. Many people will not be able to afford the food, and currently, people are price-conscious."