The citywide minimum wage in 2025 is $18.81 per hour. Minimum wage for tipped workers in the food and beverage industry is $15.79 as long as they receive $3.02 in tips per hour.

Transcript of Denver Wages Timeline(PDF, 97KB)

The citywide minimum wage was $12.85 per hour in 2020, $14.77 per hour in 2021, $15.87 per hour in 2022, $17.29 per hour in and $18.29 per hour in 2024. The rate increases to $18.81 per hour on January 1, 2025.
Is Denver’s wage rate the highest? No, Denver is among several dozen cities nationwide with minimum wages above $17 per hour. In 2023, some peer cities were already above $18 per hour.
How is the wage increase calculated? According to ordinance, the Denver Department of Finance calculates the annual increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The methodology is laid out in ordinance and is similar to how the State of Colorado calculates its statewide minimum wage. According to ordinance, the adjustment calculation compares the Consumer Price Index for the first half of the previous year to the first half of the current year. The Consumer Price Index is designed to help workers keep up with the cost of living in their area.