Colorado Minimum Wage 2026: $15.16/hr

Colorado workers must be paid at least $15.16 an hour, $7.91 above the federal $7.25 minimum.

Data updated September 26, 2026

Key facts for Colorado

Minimum wage: $15.16/hr
In effect since: January 1, 2026
Scheduled change: Next change: $15.71/hr effective January 1, 2027
Tipped cash wage: $12.14/hr
Compared with federal: +$7.91 vs the federal $7.25
Overtime: 1.5x after 40 hrs/week or 12 hrs/day

Source

Rule: Colorado minimum wage law
Published by: cdle.colorado.gov
Last updated: September 26, 2026

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The short answer

Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16/hr in 2026, $7.91 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #10 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $12.14/hr. It is scheduled to rise to $15.71/hr on January 1, 2027.

How the Colorado minimum wage works

In Colorado, the minimum wage is $15.16 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. Colorado sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $12.14 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, and after 12 hours in a single workday. This reflects a state overtime law.

Colorado adjusts annually for CPI. Max tip credit is $3.02/hr. The rate rises to $15.71/hr on January 1, 2027, with a tipped cash wage of $12.69/hr. Some localities, such as Denver, set higher minimums.

How Colorado compares

State rate: $15.16/hr
Federal minimum: $7.25/hr
Difference: +$7.91 (+109.1%)
National rank: #10 of 51

Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.

Colorado overtime rules

Weekly overtime threshold: 40 hours (1.5x)
Daily overtime threshold: 12 hours (1.5x)
Governing law: State overtime law

Colorado requires overtime at 1.5x for hours worked over 12 in a workday, over 12 consecutive hours (excluding duty-free meal periods), or over 40 in a workweek, whichever yields more pay.

Sources for this page

Colorado minimum wage — state labor department cdle.colorado.gov
Colorado overtime rules — state labor department cdle.colorado.gov
U.S. Department of Labor dol.gov

Minimum Wage · 5 min read Minimum Wage 2026: Federal Rate, All 50 States, and Your RightsThe federal minimum wage remains $7.25, unchanged since 2009. Check your state's 2026 minimum wage rate and find out what to do if you're being underpaid.