A publication of The Colorado Trust
Español Menu

Economy

Tracy duCharme, owner of Color Me Mine pottery studio in Colorado Springs and longtime advocate for raising the minimum wage, poses for a portrait in her studio on Monday, July 29, 2024. Photo by Parker Seibold / Special to The Colorado Trust

Tracy duCharme opened her paint-your-own-pottery store in Colorado Springs more than 14 years ago. Blank canvases—bowls, plates, mugs—lined the shelves. Bottles of paint were on display for customers who would pour, swirl and mix them to make their designs.

Colorado’s minimum wage was $7.24 per hour back then. In 2024, that pay rate has essentially doubled to $14.42. That means duCharme’s payroll expenses for her nine, primarily part-time employees have also risen; most are currently earning around $20 per hour, including tips.

Read the full article
September 25, 2018

The Rich Get Richer

A new national analysis by the Economic Policy Institute reveals Colorado’s income growth continues to stream unequally to the top 1 percent.

Close