Latest news with #ColoradoRestaurantAssociation
Axios
5 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Colorado's tipped wage bill punts decision to locals
The nasty fight at the Colorado Capitol over how much to pay tipped restaurant workers ended in a standoff this week. The big picture: Gov. Jared Polis signed the Restaurant Relief Act into Colorado law on Tuesday, with backing from the Colorado Restaurant Association and other major industry organizations. Why it matters: The result is a victory for the opposition, which mounted an aggressive campaign against the legislation, though it gives cash-pinched restaurant owners another chance to make their case at the local level. Threat level: The state's restaurant industry faces a crisis, with as many as 200 closing statewide last year — a majority of which operated in Denver — partially prompting the legislative proposal. Catch up quick: The House bill pitted the restaurant industry against its own workers in a battle over whether to increase the amount deducted from the base pay of an employee who receives tips. Restaurants considered the measure a potential lifesaver at a time when many have gone out of business. But labor unions and left-leaning advocates opposed the potential reduction in workers' pay, given the high cost of living in the Denver metro. How it works: State lawmakers neutered the bill and punted the decision about adjusting the $3.02 tip credit to local governments like Denver and Boulder, where the minimum wage exceeds the state's rate of $14.81. What they're saying: Polis, in a statement, said the law will ensure "restaurants across Colorado can thrive," while calling on cities with higher minimum wages than the state to take action to address the tip credit. What's next: Don't expect local governments to rush to the issue anytime soon.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Denver restaurants aim for success during Restaurant Week amid high egg prices
DENVER (KDVR) — Denver Restaurant Week has provided customers with great deals for two decades. This year's event comes amid rising insurance costs and egg prices, and restaurants are offering more than just fixed price menus to make the most of the opportunity. Last year, participating restaurants sold more than 144,000 meals resulting in $10.5 million in revenue. Denver Restaurant Week: Menu, prices and new features announced for 2025 The Colorado Restaurant Association provided a statement to FOX31 saying community support is crucial this year. 'Denver Restaurant Week is vitally important to our local restaurant community, which is facing unprecedented challenges right now. Not only are costs out of control, including utilities, labor, insurance, eggs, and other ingredients, but diners aren't going out to eat as much these days, either,' the Colorado Restaurant Association said. 'A new report from Toast shows that Denver restaurants saw a 9% decline in transactions between Q4 2023 and Q4 2024, which is really scary for an industry with razor-thin margins. Please dine out as much as you can during Restaurant Week – our dining scene needs all the support it can get.' Alexis Treton, owner of La Bouche wine bar, located at 17th and Downing, told FOX31 he looks forward to providing new customers with a sample of his menu items and unique experience. 'It's all about sharing a moment with food and good wine,' he said. Treton said he has had to get creative when it comes to items that require eggs. 'Every two days, they are out of stock, so you just have to be smart,' he said. Larger restaurants like the Thirsty Lion Scratch Kitchen near Union Station are experiencing the same challenge as the price of eggs remains higher than usual. 'For us, about a $100 a case, but we are going to make it work,' said general manager Randy Strothers. Restaurants owners who testified in support of tipped wage bill were doxxed: Democrats The restaurant has brought back its popular Scotch Eggs appetizer ahead of St. Patrick's Day. 'Scotch eggs are boiled egg, wrapped gently with sausage, panko bread crumbs and then deep fry to a golden brown,' he said. The business is also drawing in customers with a traditional Irish menu featuring shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, potato cakes and corned beef macaroni and cheese through March 17. Portions of each craft cocktail sold will benefit the St. Baldrick's Foundation supporting pediatric cancer research. To date, the Thirsty Lion has raised more than $298,000 for pediatric cancer research, matching the money raised through special food and drink offerings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Healthcare workers are 5 times more likely to be injured at work. Legislators want that to change.
DENVER (KDVR) — Healthcare workers are no strangers to violence, but some state legislators are trying to find ways to prevent that violence from increasing. The Colorado Hospital Association reports that on average a nurse is assaulted in the state every 30 minutes and that healthcare workers as a whole are five times more likely than other professions to get hurt due to violence on the job. State legislators have introduced a new bill to address these trends. Colorado Restaurant Association supports tip offset bill as Denver restaurants struggle The bill, called Health-Care Workplace Violence Incentive Payments, would create financial incentives and rewards for hospitals that create plans to reduce violence against their staff. The incentives would be provided through the state department to develop a stakeholder group with recommended metrics, determine if there are funds available to assist in lowering the number of workplace violence incidents and develop legislative recommendations by Feb. 1, 2026. The bill would exempt hospitals with under 100 beds from the reporting requirements. On Tuesday, dozens of nurses and healthcare workers gathered at the Colorado Capitol with Sen. Kyle Mullica, who is a former ER nurse. He's also a primary sponsor of the bill, and called violence against healthcare workers a public health crisis. 'Barriers to reporting, such as fear of retaliation, lack of awareness and a culture that too often accepts violence as part of the job have allowed this problem to remain under-reported and unaddressed for far too long,' said Mullica, a Democrat representing Adams County. The former nurse said the bill will focus on transparency and accountability, to ensure hospitals report progress or lack thereof. The bill has the support of the Colorado Hospital Association and Colorado Nurses Association. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
