The City of Denver is asking for the public’s opinion on a draft that’ll allow employers to pay youth employees 15% less than minimum wage, if the employee is offered career skills training.

The public meeting will be held virtually on Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. via Microsoft Teams and can be accessed here.

In order for employers to qualify to pay 15% less than the minimum wage, they must obtain certification as a Certified Youth Employment Program with employees as either student learners or work-based learners, according to the draft.

Once a minor finishes the program, employers are highly encouraged to begin paying the employee minimum wage or higher. 

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity worked with local employers, the City Attorneys and Auditors offices to develop the proposed program. 

The draft comes after Denver’s City Council passed the city’s minimum wage ordinance, which went into effect at the start of 2020 and raised wages to $12.85 an hour. On Jan. 1, the wages rise to $14.77 an hour.

Public comment will be heard through 4 p.m. on Dec. 23. Comments can be submitted by email at workforce.development@denvergov.org