By Joey Bunch
Colorado Politics, Colorado Springs Gazette, Dec. 23, 2016
Voters in 19 states, including Colorado, put some New Year’s cheer in the pockets of minimum-wage earners..., with pay bumps taking effect either Dec. 31 or Jan. 1. Colorado voters, by a 55-45 margin, raised the wage from $8.31 to $9.30 on Jan. 1, with automatic increases to $10.20 in 2018, $11.10 in 2019 and $12 an hour in 2020. ...
The Colorado chapter of an advocacy group called Business for a Fair Minimum Wage continues to rally supporters, saying it just makes good business sense, citing more consumer spending, lower employee turnover and more prodcutivity and customer satisfaction.
“Our business model is built on providing great products while improving the health of our land, our livestock and our people,” Mike Callicrate, owner of Ranch Foods Direct in Colorado Springs, said in a statement released by the organization.
“A fair minimum wage that not only allows people working full-time to take care of themselves and their families, but goes right back into local business coffers when those same workers spend their paychecks, makes good business sense. We supported Colorado’s ballot initiative (Amendment 70) because it will increase consumer buying power and strengthen our economy. We’re looking forward to seeing the benefits an increased minimum wage will provide" ...