Statutory minimum wage in Colorado (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 an hour for 2026, with $12.14 an hour for tipped employees, according to the state Department of Labor and Employment. The 2027 rate was not shown in a source read.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $15.16 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $12.14 an hour plus tips; the maximum tip credit is $3.02, so cash wage and tips together must reach the $15.16 minimum wage. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 12 hours a day or 40 hours a week. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Denver has its own higher minimum wage: $19.29 an hour in 2026 and $19.84 from 1 January 2027 (tipped food and beverage workers $16.27 in 2026). [4] |
Notes
- The rate applies to calendar year 2026. The same page lists $12.14 per hour for tipped employees. The page was read through an Internet Archive snapshot of 7 October 2026 because the department's site refused direct access. Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
- No 2027 rate was shown on the department's home page. The rate is adjusted for each calendar year; the constitutional text could not be read.
Sources
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment: Home page (Internet Archive snapshot of 7 October 2026) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- City and County of Denver, Denver Labor: Denver Minimum Wage (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Colorado and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado | Yes | $15.16 per hour (2026) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kansas | Yes | $7.25 per hour (state law) | 18 and under part-time not covered | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | Yes | $15.00 per hour | $13.50 aged 14-15; 75% for student-learners | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | Yes | $12.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour (larger employers) | No age bands; $2.00 per hour for small employers | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Utah | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | Commission may set minor/learner rates; FLSA jobs excluded | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | Yes (state law, $5.15) | $7.25 (federal; state basic rate $5.15) | Under 20: $4.25 for first 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Colorado
- CannabisGrowing at home: Up to 6 plants per person; 12 per home
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph business, 30 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (40 mph open mountain highways)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (minor licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks only) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Concealed: banned over 3.5 in blade · Locking or one-handed knives: Only ballistic knives banned outright
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes (adults: secondary enforcement) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (under 21 may not be served or buy)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.