Niwot Minimum Wage Task Force takes on Boulder County Commissioners at monthly meeting

On Thursday, June 5, the Niwot Business Association Minimum Wage Task Force held its weekly meeting after several members spoke at the Boulder County Commissioners' monthly public comment session earlier that morning.

On the agenda was the progress and challenges experienced by prospective new Niwot restaurants, particularly potential entrepreneurs interested in the former 1914 House building on Second Avenue and the former Farow space in Cottonwood Square. In addition, members discussed meetings with other groups around the county interested in the wage issue.

"We're here to build an integrated campaign strategy," the Niwot Business Association representative and manager of the Task Force, Nicholas Little, said. "Right now, we're focused on organizing elements like volunteers, flyers, letters, and unified branding."

Thursday's meeting included the addition of new members to the Task Force and further discussions about new replacements for lawn signs that had been stolen in previous weeks.

One of the chief discussions was the integration of the group with other business communities and farmers concerned by the current wage ordinance across the county. The Community Farmers Association (COFA), led by Michael Moss, is also pushing to pause or revise the minimum wage mandated by the county.

"From Allenspark to Hygiene to Niwot, the current ordinance is causing deep issues with small businesses," Little said. "While our priority at these meetings is to save Niwot, we are also united with farmers and businesses beyond this small town. We're looking to save vintage Boulder County along with this community."

The current minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County, including communities such as Niwot and Allenspark, is set at $16.57. In Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, and other incorporated communities, businesses operate with the lower, statewide $14.81 minimum wage. According to the Minimum Wage Task Force, this difference has created an uncompetitive and difficult environment for small businesses located outside of municipalities.

"Small businesses cannot absorb these increases the way large ones can," Little said. "Patagonia on Pearl Street does just fine, but even in Boulder, vacancies are emerging."

"Businesses fund government," said Tony Santelli, a Niwot resident, former NBA president, and former business owner. "It is counterproductive to put such a burden on the small businesses of this county. What do you think that does to tax revenue? To the community? To the character of Niwot?"

The uproar about the wage ordinance led many Task Force members, including Little, David Skaggs, Bruce Warren, Steve Gaibler, Jim Schaefer and Alison Steele, to express their frustration at the 9 a.m. Boulder County Commissioners' public discussion meeting. Many business owners felt that the Commissioners have failed to listen to Niwot's concerns and interests.

In response to the ordinance, the Task Force is developing a multipronged strategy. "The group's main priority is to get a pause from the Commissioners on the minimum wage," said Little. "The current framework does not serve Niwot, Boulder County, or local farmers."

Looking forward, the group is hoping to have a broader impact in Boulder County. The Boulder County Consortium of Cities, a collaborative initiative between Boulder, Erie, Longmont, and other cities and towns, is set to discuss the minimum wage in the coming months.

The Minimum Wage Task Force meets on Thursdays at 9 a.m. at Niwot Hall. According to Little, the Task Force is working on acquiring an official email address and contact for Niwot residents who are interested in volunteering or who would like more information.