FRISCO — It’s no secret that Summit County, where the cost of living soars well beyond the national average, can be a difficult place to make ends meet.
Affordable housing, child care, health care, mental health and minimum wage are common topics of discussion in local government. Those in the seasonal and service industry workforce fill low-wage jobs and spend well beyond the recommended 30% of their income on housing, leaving little left for basic needs.
The financial pressures on the hourly wage workforce, further exacerbated by the pandemic, are starkly contrasted by the steady stream of wealthy visitors to a world-class ski resort vacation destination.
As of Jan. 1, Colorado’s minimum wage was set at $12 per hour, up from $11.10 last year. While most hourly wage jobs in Summit County pay higher than minimum wage, including entry-level roles at ski resorts, many fail to meet the self-sufficiency standard in Summit County for one adult: $14.47 per hour.
Read more on our partner site Summit Daily.