Denver Minimum Wage (2026)

Local pay and leave rules for people who work in Denver, Colorado, with the official city source for each — plus the state rules that still apply.

Short answer: $19.29 per hour in 2026; tipped food and beverage workers may be paid $16.27 per hour if they receive at least $3.02 per hour in tips. Scheduled increase: $19.84 per hour on January 1, 2027. Denver Citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance; Denver Labor (Auditor's Office)

Local minimum wage	$19.29 per hour in 2026; tipped food and beverage workers may be paid $16.27 per hour if they receive at least $3.02 per hour in tips. Scheduled increase: $19.84 per hour on January 1, 2027. The rate is adjusted each January 1 for inflation. Source: Denver Citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance; Denver Labor (Auditor's Office)
Colorado state minimum wage	$15.16 per hour in 2026 ($12.14 for tipped employees). Some localities set higher rates; for example, Denver's 2026 minimum wage is $19.29. Employers must pay the higher local rate where it applies. Scheduled increase: $15.71 per hour ($12.69 for tipped workers) on January 1, 2027, under the annual inflation adjustment (CDLE press release, Aug. 13, 2026: https://cdle.colorado.gov/press-releases/press-release-colorado-minimum-wage-will-increase-to-1571/hour-in-2027). Denver's 2027 local rate is $19.84. Source: Colorado minimum wage (COMPS and PAY CALC Orders); CDLE wage and hour page and KNOWLEDGE #1

Local minimum wage

$19.29 per hour in 2026; tipped food and beverage workers may be paid $16.27 per hour if they receive at least $3.02 per hour in tips. Scheduled increase: $19.84 per hour on January 1, 2027. The rate is adjusted each January 1 for inflation.

Source: Denver Citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance; Denver Labor (Auditor's Office)

Colorado state minimum wage

$15.16 per hour in 2026 ($12.14 for tipped employees). Some localities set higher rates; for example, Denver's 2026 minimum wage is $19.29. Employers must pay the higher local rate where it applies.

Scheduled increase: $15.71 per hour ($12.69 for tipped workers) on January 1, 2027, under the annual inflation adjustment (CDLE press release, Aug. 13, 2026: https://cdle.colorado.gov/press-releases/press-release-colorado-minimum-wage-will-increase-to-1571/hour-in-2027). Denver's 2027 local rate is $19.84.

Source: Colorado minimum wage (COMPS and PAY CALC Orders); CDLE wage and hour page and KNOWLEDGE #1

Colorado labor laws · Minimum wage by state · Overtime calculator

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.