Hourly Minimum Wage in Colorado

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The state-wide minimum wage for Colorado is $13.65 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all Colorado minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for Colorado and neighboring states in 2023

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Colorado minimum wage rate is $13.65 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a higher minimum wage in Colorado that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The Colorado minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in Colorado

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2023. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in Colorado.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Colorado

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In Colorado, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in Colorado.

Detailed Minimum Wage Data in Colorado

Certain cities, counties, municipalities, or economic zones may have different minimum wage levels in Colorado. Depending on the state, additional rules and factors may determine the minimum wage levels for a particular occupation or type of business.
The Colorado minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023. According to our location-specific minimum wage data in Colorado, many cities in CA have a minimum wage above the state minimum. Many California localities (city and county) have their own minimum wages. It could be higher or lower than the state level based on the cost of living, salary, job opportunities, and other factors.
Get city level data in your location to get pay right.

What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2023?

Colorado minimum wage in 2021: US$12.32 (effective January 1, 2021)

Colorado minimum wage in 2020: US$12

Colorado minimum wage in 2000: US$5.15 ($7.93 after inflation adjustment)

Colorado minimum wage in 1980: US$1.90 ($6.37 after inflation adjustment)

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in Colorado

An increase in the minimum wage would have a significant positive impact on Colorado women and families, lifting many working women and their children out of poverty.

09/08/2021

Concerned about the extreme duress the industry was under because of the pandemic, the Colorado Restaurant Association asked the city to delay raising its minimum wages but was denied.

09/05/2021

Updates to the Colorado Minimum Wage Order could improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of Colorado workers, while facilitating compliance for Colorado businesses.

08/29/2021

In addition to any Colorado-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers.

08/10/2021

While these guidelines help make sure your business is prepared and stays in compliance, it’s also advisable to discuss Colorado minimum wage laws with your accountant and lawyer.

08/07/2021

In most parts of the state, even a single adult working a minimum wage job would fall short of the income needed to meet their basic needs, according to the Self-Sufficiency Standard for Colorado.

08/03/2021

Unless an employee is exempt from the provisions of the Colorado minimum wage laws, they are required to pay all adult employees at least equal to the minimum wage.

08/03/2021

Colorado has followed the sweeping changes to its minimum wage, overtime, and other wage and hour rules implemented under Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS).

07/27/2021

The COMPS Order includes a reference to the ability under Colorado law of local jurisdictions to adopt higher minimum wages than the statewide minimum wage, as the City of Denver has done.

07/19/2021

Colorado's minimum wage went up 32 cents an hour on Friday, with restaurants holding on by their fingernails during the COVID-19 pandemic saying it may be the last straw.

07/02/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023