DENVER (AP) — Colorado government employees will see their first pay increases in four years when they get their latest paychecks Wednesday, a sign that the state is continuing its economic recovery after the recession.

Lawmakers approved a 2 percent pay raise for state employees when they passed the budget this spring, reversing a trend where workers saw their salaries remain static and went through furloughs to tighten the budget. Although the raises went into effect July 1, state workers will see the increase reflected for the first time on their end-of-the-month paycheck. Lawmakers also budgeted for merit raises, meaning some employees will see pay increases as high as 4.4 percent.

Republicans who opposed the increase have raised concerns about how the state compares salaries for its workers to those in the private sector — a debate that will likely continue for months to come. The latest comparison is due out Thursday.