Current minimum wage in Colorado
Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 an hour in 2026 and moves to $15.71 on January 1, 2027 under the state's inflation formula. Employers can take a $3.02 tip credit, and Denver, Boulder and Edgewater are among the local governments with higher minimums.
The rate rose from $14.81 (effective January 1, 2025) to $15.16 on January 1, 2026, an increase of $0.35 an hour or $728 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
Rises to $15.71 on January 1, 2027, with the tipped cash wage moving to $12.69.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $12.14 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $15.16 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Employers may take a tip credit of up to $3.02 an hour, so tipped workers earn at least $12.14 in cash wages.
What minimum wage pays in Colorado
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $303.20 | $15,766 |
| 25 hours | $379.00 | $19,708 |
| 30 hours | $454.80 | $23,650 |
| 35 hours | $530.60 | $27,591 |
| 40 hours | $606.40 | $31,533 |
After federal and Colorado taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $26,699 a year, or $1,027 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the Colorado paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $15 an hour.
Overtime rules
Overtime is due after 40 hours in a week, 12 hours in a workday, or 12 consecutive hours of work.
City and county minimum wages
Denver, the City of Boulder, unincorporated Boulder County and Edgewater set higher local minimums.
Exceptions and special rates
Unemancipated minors may be paid up to 15 percent less than the state minimum wage.
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks #10 of 51 for its minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2026?
The Colorado minimum wage is $15.16 an hour as of January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
Employers in Colorado may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $12.14 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $15.16. Employers may take a tip credit of up to $3.02 an hour, so tipped workers earn at least $12.14 in cash wages.
When does the Colorado minimum wage go up next?
Rises to $15.71 on January 1, 2027, with the tipped cash wage moving to $12.69.
How much is minimum wage in Colorado per year?
At $15.16 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $606 and a full year pays $31,533 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $26,699 after federal and Colorado taxes.
How does overtime work in Colorado?
Overtime is due after 40 hours in a week, 12 hours in a workday, or 12 consecutive hours of work.
Sources
- Colorado CDLE: Colorado minimum wage will increase to $15.71 per hour in 2027
- Colorado CDLE: Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated July 1, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (updated July 1, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wage