Boulder Chamber endorses proposed Colorado minimum-wage hike

BOULDER — The Boulder Chamber on Friday released its full list of stances on this fall’s statewide and local ballot issues, coming out in support of an increase to Colorado’s minimum wage that has proven to be one of the highest-profile contests.

Amendment 70 would raise the state’s minimum wage from $8.31 per hour to $9.30 per hour, gradually stepping it up to $12 by 2020.

Opponents of the wage hike have argued that it could cost the state jobs, and the Longmont Chamber of Commerce came out in opposition of the measure last week.

“The growing income inequality gap and the challenge of keeping working citizens out of poverty are both social and economic issues of great concern,” the Boulder Chamber’s statement read. “Increasing the minimum wage is one mechanism for addressing these issues and an important vehicle in the effort to assist the lower income populations. While the Chamber recognizes that a minimum wage increase will place additional burden on small businesses, it believes our strong local economy can support these increases.”

“While this was a very challenging issue for the Boulder Chamber, given the strong opinions on both sides regarding individual business interests and broader economic implications, we felt it was necessary to make our position clear,” Chamber president and chief executive John Tayer said.

As part of the Northwest Chamber Alliance, which is comprised of the Boulder, Broomfield and Longmont chambers, the Boulder Chamber last week had already come out in support of Amendment 71, which would make amending the state constitution more difficult. The Boulder Chamber, along with the alliance, also took a stance against Amendment 69, the Colorado Care initiative that would create a new statewide universal health-care system.

“The NWCA shares the goal of providing high-quality, affordable health care for all Coloradoans, but it cannot support such a poorly defined plan that adversely impacts existing businesses and working families, Tayer said of Amendment 69 last week.

In addition to support for Amendment 70, the Boulder Chamber also issued support for a Boulder Valley School District tax levy increase.

The full list of Boulder Chamber positions includes:

Support:

Amendment 70, minimum wage increase

Amendment 71, amending the state constitution

Proposition 107, open presidential primary elections

Proposition 108, unaffiliated electors voting in primaries

Ballot Issue 4B, Scientific and Cultural Facilities District reauthorization

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1B, open-space tax extension

Ballot Initiative 3A, Boulder Valley School District tax-levy increase

Neutral:

Boulder County Ballot Issue 1C, sustainability tax extension

City of Boulder Ballot Issue 2H, sugar-sweetened beverage product distribution tax

Opposed:

Amendment 69, creation of Colorado Care statewide health-care system.