Minimum Wage/Colorado
Colorado Minimum Wage 2026
The statewide rate, tipped rules, the exempt salary threshold, and the local minimums that exceed it. Every figure below is checked against primary sources.
| Tipped minimum | $12.14 / hour ($3.02 tip credit) |
|---|---|
| Exempt salary threshold | $57,784 / year (EAP exemption, 2026 COMPS Order) |
How Colorado’s exempt salary threshold compares across all six states
Local rates above the state minimum
Hourly minimums compared
Hourly minimum wage as verified August 18, 2026. Bars start at $0.
Deep dives: Denver · Boulder County vs City of Boulder
Rate record
What has taken effect and what we have checked.
January 1, 2026
State minimum in effect: $15.16 / hour
August 18, 2026
Every figure on this page re-verified against the primary sources below.Latest check
Questions employers ask
What are Colorado's minimum wage and tipped wage in 2026?
$15.16 per hour statewide, with a tipped minimum of $12.14 (a $3.02 tip credit), effective January 1, 2026.
What is Denver's minimum wage in 2026?
$19.29 per hour (tipped $16.27); well above the Colorado state rate.
Does the City of Boulder minimum wage apply in unincorporated Boulder County?
No. The City of Boulder rate ($16.82 in 2026) applies only within city limits. Unincorporated Boulder County follows its own separate, lower schedule; the two are frequently confused.
Sources and caveats
Caveat: The authoritative rate document is the adopted 2026 PAY CALC Order (7 CCR 1103-14), a PDF published on the CDLE Labor Rules page above; download it there to verify these figures directly.
Get notified when Colorado changes its rate
State employment law changes, in plain English, with what to do about them.
State Law Briefing publishes legal information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed employment attorney for guidance specific to your organization.