Colorado minimum wage
Minimum wage in Colorado, in effect since January 1, 2026
$15.16 an hour
That is $7.91 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Colorado pay the higher state rate.
Next increase: $15.71 on January 1, 2027.
Tipped employees
Employers in Colorado can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $12.14 an hour, taking a tip credit of up to $3.02, as long as tips bring the employee to at least $15.16 for every hour worked. If they don't, the employer makes up the difference.
Youth and training wages
Unemancipated minors may be paid up to 15% less than the state minimum wage (not allowed under some local minimum wages).
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $15.16 | $12.14 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $15.71 | $12.69 | Announced CDLE press release, August 13, 2026 (3.6% CPI-U increase). |
How future increases are set
Adjusted every January 1 for inflation (CPI-U), as required by the state constitution.
Exceptions and details
- The tip credit can lower hourly pay by up to $3.02 only if tips (not service charges) are not diverted to untipped staff (2026 COMPS Order poster).
- Denver and some other localities set higher local minimum wages.
Cities and counties with a higher minimum wage
These places in Colorado set their own minimum wage. Employers there pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $16.82 | $18.17 on January 1, 2027 |
| Boulder County (unincorporated) | $16.82 | — |
| Denver | $19.29 | $19.84 on January 1, 2027 |
| Edgewater | $18.17 | $19.99 on January 1, 2027 |
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Colorado?
- $15.16 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
- $12.14 an hour in cash wages, provided tips bring the employee up to $15.16 an hour.
- When does the Colorado minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $15.71 on January 1, 2027.
- Do any cities or counties in Colorado have a higher minimum wage?
- Yes: Boulder ($16.82), Boulder County (unincorporated) ($16.82), Denver ($19.29), Edgewater ($18.17).
Running payroll in Colorado?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.