New Colorado and City of Denver Minimum Wage

Effective January 1, 2020, Denver’s minimum wage increases from $11.10 to $12.85 per hour, then rises incrementally to $14.77 on January 1, 2021, and $15.87 on January 1, 2022. Thereafter, it adjusts annually based on the Consumer Price Index.

Tipped employees (e.g., servers, bartenders) may be paid $3.02 below the minimum wage, provided tips bridge the gap; otherwise, employers must cover the shortfall (“tip credit make-up”).

Denver’s ordinance mandates that all workers—regardless of disability—receive at least the minimum wage, with the sole exception of minors in specific employment programs. State law (Section 14(c) of Colorado’s Fair Labor Standards Act) permitting subminimum wages for workers with disabilities does not apply within Denver.

Starting January 1, 2020, anyone may submit anonymous minimum-wage complaints to Denver Labor via email at wagecomplaints@denvergov.org.

Employees in Denver earning below $12.85 will automatically receive the new minimum on January 1, 2020; those elsewhere in Colorado will be raised to $12.00 if currently below that rate.