Residents press Fort Collins council to add minimum wage and municipal collective bargaining to agenda

Dozens of residents and labor representatives used the public‑comment period at the Fort Collins City Council meeting on Jan. 20 to press elected officials to act on worker pay and municipal bargaining.

Speakers including Jonah (DSA Fort Collins Elections Committee chair), Nicholas Solhin (Connexion worker), Blake Simpson (chair, Fort Collins DSA labor committee) and Kevin Caffrey (president, Northern Colorado Labor Council) urged council to refer a minimum wage increase and a municipal collective bargaining framework to voters or otherwise set council priorities to address wage stagnation and rising housing costs. "The stability of a livable wage in Fort Collins must be guaranteed for everyone," Jonah said during his remarks.

Multiple speakers argued that city employees lack a framework for recognition and collective bargaining and asked council to create a process so municipal workers can negotiate wages and working conditions. Nicholas Solhin described the August 2024 unionization of Connexion tech support workers and noted city management has not recognized a framework for bargaining, urging the council to take initiative or refer a charter change to voters.

Speakers tied low wages to housing affordability, citing rent figures and personal experience. A student speaker and other residents said current wages leave students and low‑wage workers unable to afford local rents. Labor leaders asked that the council consider collective bargaining frameworks similar to those adopted in Denver and Boulder.

Council members acknowledged the comments and said staff and council would take them into account during upcoming retreats and budget discussions. No formal council action was taken at the Jan. 20 meeting on minimum wage or municipal bargaining; speakers requested those items be added to future agendas.