Higher Local Minimum Wage Now Allowed in Colorado

Local governments in Colorado can boost their minimum wage above that of the state’s under a law signed by Gov. Jared Polis (D).

The legislation (H.B. 1210), signed May 28, repeals an existing ban against local governments hiking their local wage requirement beyond the current state minimum, which is currently $11.10 an hour.

Sponsors said the bill is about providing financial security for workers, and cited studies showing local minimum wage laws can increase earnings for workers without negatively affecting employment. Similar bills had been defeated in several prior legislative sessions, but Democrats—who won the majority in the ...