Denver Minimum Wage (2026)

$19.29 per hour · City ordinance effective 2026-01-01 +$4.13 vs CO state

At a glance

Current rate	$19.29/hour
Effective date	2026-01-01
Full-time annual	$40,123
Colorado state rate	$15.16 (local is higher — local applies)
Scheduled increase	$19.84 on 2027-01-01

Tipped food & beverage: $16.27/hr. CPI-adjusted annually.

What is the minimum wage in Denver?

$19.29 per hour since 2026-01-01. This is higher than the CO state minimum ($15.16), so the local rate applies for work performed in Denver.

Does the Denver rate apply to all employers?

Tipped food & beverage: $16.27/hr. CPI-adjusted annually.

Which applies if city and state rates differ?

Employers must pay the highest of federal, state, and local rates for work performed in that jurisdiction.

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