Candidates at a Lafayette business forum expressed differing views on whether the city should increase its minimum wage, while nearly all agreed the city must weigh worker affordability against small-business viability and gather more local data before acting.

Anne Marie Johnson, who served on the Planning Commission and other city advisory bodies, said she has “unabashedly been a champion for increasing the minimum wage in Lafayette,” while acknowledging the need to phase any increase so businesses can prepare. “We can do it gradually, and we can help businesses prepare for it,” Johnson said.

Other candidates emphasized caution. Rob Glenn, a candidate with business ties, said many local owners already pay above the minimum and warned that a sharp municipal increase could force some proprietors to close or leave Lafayette. “Some of whom said, I’m afraid to sign my lease to stay here another year because I don’t know if I can afford to pay my employees,” Glenn said.

Several candidates called for broader regional cooperation. Kyle Bollier, a federal-government veteran, recommended exploring partnerships across Boulder County and neighboring jurisdictions so wage changes do not shift costs and jobs to nearby towns. Saul Taka Vega, the incumbent council member, cited recent local study results that he said showed approximately 85% of Lafayette businesses were already paying above the then-minimum ($15.69), and he urged the council to base decisions on data gathered from local employers and workers.

Candidates also discussed the related state action on tip credits: the Colorado Legislature recently allowed municipalities to adjust tip-credit rules. Anne Marie Johnson and others said any change to minimum wage should be considered alongside the tip-credit, noting the current tip-credit rate referenced at the forum was $3.05 (established in 2019).

The forum produced no binding action; candidates recommended steps for a council that would consider changes, including town halls, roundtables with workers and employers, targeted outreach to low-wage and immigrant workers, and a review of local data and impacts before any municipal wage change.