Minimum wage › Colorado
Minimum wage and worker rights in Colorado (2026)
Official data from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and the U.S. Department of Labor, checked on October 6, 2026.
STATE MINIMUM WAGE
$15.16 /hourSince January 1, 2026.
Tipped: $12.14.
Federal: $7.25.
Tipped: $12.14.
Federal: $7.25.
Announced: rises to $15.71 on January 1, 2027.
Adjusted every year for inflation
Overtime1.5× after 40 h a week or 12 h a dayAlso after 12 consecutive hours, even across two workdays.
Sick leaveUp to 48 paid hours a year1 h per 30 worked. All employers. Up to 48 h carry over. Not paid out at separation.
VacationEarned vacation must be paid outNo law requires vacation. All earned vacation is paid at separation and can't be forfeited.
Paid family leaveFAMLI: up to 12 paid weeks a year (+4 for pregnancy or childbirth complications). Since 2026, up to 12 more weeks if your newborn is in the NICU.
Your city may pay moreBoulder (city), Boulder County (unincorporated areas), Denver, and Edgewater have their own minimum wage.
Cities and counties with their own minimum wage
| PLACE | MINIMUM | TIPPED | SINCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder (city)If you work inside the City of Boulder | $16.82 | $13.80 | January 1, 2026 |
| Boulder County (unincorporated areas)Only unincorporated Boulder County, not inside its cities | $16.82 | $13.80 | January 1, 2026 |
| DenverAll work done inside the City and County of Denver | $19.29 | $16.27 | January 1, 2026 |
| EdgewaterIf you work inside the City of Edgewater | $18.17 | $13.50 | January 1, 2026 |
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Open Work →Official sources
Colorado Department of Labor and Employmentcdle.colorado.govMinimum wage · Coloradocdle.colorado.govMinimum wage · Coloradodol.govOvertime · Coloradocdle.colorado.govSick leave · Coloradocdle.colorado.govVacation · Coloradocdle.colorado.govBoulder (city): minimum wagebouldercolorado.govBoulder County (unincorporated areas): minimum wagebouldercounty.govBoulder County (unincorporated areas): minimum wageassets.bouldercounty.govDenver: minimum wagedenvergov.orgEdgewater: minimum wageedgewaterco.gov
PlainRefund is not a government app. This is general information, not legal advice: always confirm with the official source or your state's labor department.