Denver City Wire

The Denver City Council has passed a wage theft ordinance that allows workers to appeal to the city auditor instead of going to court if they believe they have been deprived of wages.

Members of the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters' union attended the meeting, along with home health workers and labor activists, who campaigned on behalf of workers who have faced wage theft.

“One instance of wage theft can be the difference when it comes to providing for their families and living with dignity,” said Mark Thompson of the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters' union. 

"I know there are employers, contracts and companies that are concerned. But I want to tell them, I think I found a loophole, and that is to pay your workers every damn cent they earn," Councilman Kevin Flynn told KMGH.

The council began looking at the ordinance in early December, beginning with the finance and governance committees, the council record states. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and the City Council first discussed the bill Jan. 3, and Hancock signed the bill after council passed it Tuesday.

The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce opposed the bill, CBS News reported, arguing that the ordinance would conflict with the state's wage law that went into effect Jan. 1, as well as expressing concerns about its impact on small businesses.

According to the Colorado Department of Labor, the minimum wage in Colorado is $13.65, or $10.63 for tipped employees. The wage hikes went into effect Jan. 1, 2022. Before the minimum wage was $12.56, and $9.54 for tipped workers.