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Reality Check: Supporters/Opponents Of Amendment 70

One of the most contentious ballot measures this election would raise the minimum wage in Colorado.

Right now, it's $8.31 an hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. Under Amendment 70, it would increase gradually to $12 an hour by January 2020.

The Bell Policy Center - which supports the measure - says based on census data, about a third of those who would be impacted by the increase in the first year are parents with kids, who make about $17,000 annually as a full-time minimum wage worker.

The restaurant industry – which opposes the measure – says the average profit margin of a full service restaurant is 4 percent and many in rural areas restaurants and farms would have to cut jobs.

CBS4 Political Specialist Shaun Boyd gave claims on both sides of the issue a Reality Check.

Shaun Boyd's sources for this Reality Check are as follows:

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2016/04/07/cost-of-living-disparities-within-states-complicate-minimum-wage-debate/

http://www.wfco.org/minimumwage

http://www.wfco.org/file/2016-minimum-wage-report.pdf

http://commonsensepolicyroundtable.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Minimum-Wage-Final-Report.pdf

http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/44995-MinimumWage.pdf

http://www.oregon.gov/das/OEA/Documents/forecast0916.pdf

https://evans.uw.edu/sites/default/files/MinWageReport-July2016_Final.pdf

http://www.irle.berkeley.edu/workingpapers/157-07.pdf

http://research.upjohn.org/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1220&context=empl_research

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdle/minimumwage

http://www.businessforafairminimumwage.org/Colorado-Signatories

https://keepcoloradoworking.com/coalition/

https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/dola/node/105566/

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