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Minimum Wage in Colorado

Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 per hour in 2026, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $12.14, and the rates rise to $15.71 and $12.69 in 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Colorado at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$15.16
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$12.14
Maximum tip credit of $3.02.
Next scheduled increase
$15.71 in 2027
The tipped cash wage rises to $12.69. Announced by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on August 13, 2026.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Colorado

What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Colorado: $15.16.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Colorado?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Colorado: $12.14. Maximum tip credit of $3.02.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Colorado?

Next scheduled increase in Colorado: $15.71 in 2027. The tipped cash wage rises to $12.69. Announced by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment on August 13, 2026.

Where do the Colorado minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from US DOL Wage and Hour Division, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees by State (July 1, 2026), Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics and Bloomberg Tax, Colorado statewide minimum wage rising to $15.71 for 2027. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.