At the start of the new year, some Colorado workers will get a bump in pay as Denver’s minimum wage will go up 52 cents, from $18.29 to $18.81.
The minimum wage has continued to see increases year-over-year. Back in 2020, the minimum wage was $12.85 per hour and then in 2021 jumped to $14.77 per hour. In 2022, the minimum wage increased to $15.87 per hour and then jumped to $17.29 last year.
The minimum wage increases come as great news for employees, but not for all business owners. Restaurant owners acknowledge Denver is an expensive city to live in and prices of everything are soaring, and because of that their employees deserve a livable wage.
“Historically, we’ve been underpaid in this industry,” said Lilliam Lu, the owner of Noisette Restaurant & Bakery in LoHi.
She added that raising the minimum wage is so important, because “people have an opportunity to have a more comfortable lifestyle and still work in the industry that they love.”