Niwot business owners and residents told the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners during public comment that the county's proposed $25-an-hour minimum wage is contributing to business closures and economic strain in their town.

Speakers said the county increase has coincided with restaurant and retail losses and urged commissioners to reconsider further wage hikes. "Where is the credible research showing that raising the minimum wage in this economy will strengthen our community rather than weaken it?" asked Nicholas Little, a Niwot resident and business owner.

The speakers placed recent local business closures and falling sales tax revenue in the context of broader economic pressures including inflation and high interest rates. Jim Schafer, also from Niwot, said the $25-an-hour ordinance has "taken nearly $2,000,000 now out of the pockets of employees in the county" and that local sales-tax revenue has dropped from a post-COVID peak. Schafer proposed freezing a rural minimum-wage tier at $16.50 an hour until the state minimum wage rises.

Commissioner Claire Levy acknowledged hearing the concerns and said the commissioners will have further conversations about the issue, noting that changes effective before Jan. 1 would be difficult to implement. Levy said she could not predict the board's final action and reminded speakers that at least two commissioners must agree to take formal action.

No formal action or vote on the ordinance was taken during the hearing; the item appeared in public comment only. Commissioners indicated staff will continue to provide information and that an administrative meeting to discuss the issue was expected in the coming weeks.

Speakers returned repeatedly to the question of evidence: several said other jurisdictions had reversed or paused wage increases after job losses, and they urged the county to consult local business owners and named economists. The board did not produce a new study at the meeting and did not adopt any changes to the wage ordinance.

The public comment period closed with commissioners thanking speakers and promising to follow up through staff and future administrative meetings.