$18.81/hour in 2025

$19.29/hour in 2026

All employees working within the geographical limits of the City and County of Denver.

Employers do not need to maintain a contractual relationship with the city.

Wage complaints can be anonymous.

Employers may claim a maximum tip credit of $3.02 in the food and beverage industry.

Read more about Finance's minimum wage rate calculation here.

CONTACT DENVER LABOR:
Email: wagecomplaints@denvergov.org
Call: 720-913-WAGE (9243)

Denver's Minimum Wage Overview(PDF, 166KB)
Small Business Resources

All workers in Denver are protected against wage theft

• Civil wage theft happens whenever somebody isn’t paid the wages they’re entitled to, as promised and required by law. Civil wage theft is one of the most common legal violations in the country. Researchers estimate that every year, it affects millions of people and costs tens of billions of dollars.
  
  
• Every worker has the right to be paid the wages they’ve earned and are entitled to. Common wage theft violations include:

• Minimum wage violations – paying workers less than Denver’s required minimum wage rate.
• Overtime violations – failing to pay time-and-a-half for overtime hours.
• Off-the-clock work – requiring workers to perform duties before or after their paid shifts.
• Meal break violations – denying workers legally required meal breaks.
• Paid sick and safe leave violations – denying workers their accrued leave.
• Illegal deductions – making unauthorized deductions for equipment, uniforms, or training.
• Worker misclassification – wrongly labeling employees as independent contractors to avoid paying fair wages or benefits.

If you believe you are not being paid the wages you are owed, submit a complaint with Denver Labor.

Submit a wage theft complaint

This interactive map is a tool to determine whether a business or work location is within the City and County of Denver. This tool is meant to assist in filing or responding to a complaint. Denver Labor will make a final determination regarding jurisdiction on all investigated complaints.

To start using the tool, click the blue button "OK" on the bottom right corner of the map.

This calculator is a tool to assist employees confirm they are receiving Denver’s minimum wage. The total wages determined are the gross or the employee’s pre- tax and deduction earnings. Please note some exceptions may permit an employer to pay less than the calculated total wages and employers of tipped employees may only reduce hourly wages for actual tips received. If you believe you have not been paid correctly or have questions about the calculator or Denver’s minimum wage, please contact Denver Labor.

This interactive map is a tool to determine whether a business or work location is within the City and County of Denver. This tool is meant to assist in filing or responding to a complaint. Denver Labor will make a final determination regarding jurisdiction on all investigated complaints.

To start using the tool, click the blue button "OK" on the bottom right corner of the map.

This easy-to-read guide is aimed to help workers in the City and County of Denver understand their wage protections under the local wage laws.

The Know Your Rights handout outlines key wage rights, including:

• Denver’s minimum wage and prevailing wage.
• Overtime and paid breaks.
• Paid sick and safe leave.
• Protection from retaliation.
• How to file a complaint.

(PDF, 346KB)

A worker contacted Denver Labor because they did not receive their final paycheck after Denver Chophouse closed its Denver International Airport location. During our wage investigation, our analysts confirmed the employer continued paying 2024’s minimum wage rate into 2025 and failed to update wage rates for their workers according to the city ordinance. Denver Chophouse cooperated fully with our investigation by responding promptly and issuing payment to affected workers. With their immediate response, the employer avoided the assessment of interest and damages. The case closed with Denver Labor recovering a total of $70,010.71 for 44 workers.

Two employees at YogaSix filed a complaint with our office, reporting that they were required to work while sick due to the company’s lack of a sick leave policy or an accrual system. After we issued a notice of investigation, the employer acknowledged the issue and took immediate corrective action.

As a result, 66 current and former employees received a total of $16,509.00 in restitution for 821.20 hours of sick leave. Following the investigation, the employer implemented a compliant sick leave policy. Employees now accrue one hour of sick leave for every 30 hours worked, in compliance with the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act.

A former employee of The Standard Group, a commercial real estate property management company in Denver, submitted a complaint alleging they were paid less than Denver's minimum wage. Denver Labor initiated an investigation and confirmed that two employees had been paid below the city’s legal minimum wage. As a result, the employer returned $28,803.09 — including damages and interest — to the underpaid workers.

Denver Labor initiated a complaint-based investigation because a worker at AMC Theaters was disciplinedfor failing to find a replacement for his shift when he called in sick, a violationof Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act. The business also didn't pay his accrued paid sick leave when he was absent. Denver Labor determined that these were wage theft and retaliation violations and required AMC Theaters to pay $245.05 in restitution, interest, and damages to the employee and $5,200 in penalties to the City and County of Denver. The employer worked promptly with Denver Labor to change their sick leave practices to comply with the law and to resolve the retaliation and wage theft cases.

Denver Labor received a complaint involving an employee of Wiser Imagery Services LLC, a Tennessee-based company. The employee, who works remotely from Denver, was hired in early March 2025 at an hourly rate of $16.00, which is below Denver’s current minimum wage of $18.81.

After being contacted by Denver Labor, the employer promptly issued retroactive pay and adjusted the employee’s hourly rate to comply with the city’s minimum wage. The business also provided documentation confirming the employee is their only staff member based in Denver.

As a result of the investigation, Denver Labor recovered $1,038.90 in restitution for the worker. Due to the employer’s cooperation and proof of payment, no interest or damages were assessed.

Our office received an anonymous complaint from a worker at Shanahan’s Steakhouse, alleging that the business changed the tip-out percentage for front-of-house staff without prior notice or employee agreement.

Denver Labor collaborated with the employer, who engaged with our team and provided documentation to help clarify the issue. After reviewing the matter, the employer calculated the amount owed to affected employees for the period during which the increased tip-out rate was in effect. The case closed with the employer issuing a total restitution of $8,468.67 to 30 workers.

Learn about the Denver's Minimum Wage ordinance and how it impacts the way your business operate with the resources below: 

Denver Wages Rates Timeline

The local minimum wage in 2026 will increase to $19.29 per hour. Denver's minimum wage for qualified tipped workers in the food and beverage industry will rise to $16.27 per hour, as long as they receive $3.02 in documented tips. Learn more about how the Department of Finance calculates the increase here.

Transcript of Denver Wages Timeline(PDF, 235KB)

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 2024, and $18.29 per hour in 2024. The rate increased to $18.81 per hour in 2025 and $19.29 per hour on January 1, 2026.

Mandatory Work Site Poster

Employers must share the bilingual wage notice in any manner that will provide workers with ready access to it. This could include, for example: posting the notice in a physically-convenient location; providing it directly to each worker; or sharing it electronically. 

(PDF, 579KB)

Download the Mandatory Work Site Poster for 2026(PDF, 579KB)

Other Resources

Find below the information you need about Civil Wage Theft and Minimum Wage Ordinances:

• Denver's Civil Wage Theft Rules(PDF, 720KB)
• Denver's Rules for Appeals and Hearings(PDF, 302KB)
• Denver Labor Subpoena Power(PDF, 739KB)
• Employee misclassification(PDF, 450KB) 
• Citywide Wage Resources for Employers(PDF, 471KB)  
• Citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance(PDF, 243KB) 
• Minimum Wage Overview(PDF, 166KB)  
• Citywide Minimum Wage Investigation Summary(PDF, 176KB)
• Recordkeeping(PDF, 468KB)  
• Tip Credit Tracker for Food and Beverage Industry(PDF, 964KB)
• Underpayment Calculator for Employers(XLSX, 138KB)  

Citywide Minimum Wage: Employer Requirements

Denver law requires employers conducting business in Denver to retain records demonstrating compliance with Denver’s minimum wage law.

1. Sufficient payroll records for a period beginning Jan. 1, 2020 for at least three years.	2. Employers will not be asked for payroll records of work performed before Jan. 1, 2020.	3. No special format or recordkeeping system is required.	4. Records must be retained for current and past employees.

Payroll Records

When Denver Labor conducts an investigation, employers must provide payroll records in a timely manner. These records must include:

1. The number of hours worked by each worker.	2. The hourly wage paid to each worker.	3. Any deductions made from worker wages, including any taxes withheld.	4. The net amount of wages received by each worker.

When does the minimum wage increase? January 1 of each year.

How much will the wage increase? 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.

The local minimum wage in 2026 will increase to $19.29 per hour. Denver's minimum wage for qualified tipped workers in the food and beverage industry will rise to $16.27 per hour, as long as they receive $3.02 in documented tips. Learn more about how the Department of Finance calculates the increase here.

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 2024, and $18.29 per hour in 2024. The rate increased to $18.81 per hour in 2025 and will adjust to $19.29 per hour on January 1, 2026.

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.

An employer can reduce the its minimum wage obligation for actual tips received by its employees up to $3.02 an hour (“tip credit”) only in the food and beverage industry. During an investigation, an employer may be asked to produce evidence their employees received tips equal to or greater than the tip credit taken by the employer.

Employers of unemancipated minors performing work pursuant to a city certified youth employment program may pay those minors 15% less than the minimum wage.  

Denver’s local minimum wage does not apply to:

• Work performed outside of Denver;
• Where an employee works less than 4 hours within Denver in a week; and
• Where the employee is only traveling through Denver while working.

To be compliant, employers must pay their employees the appropriate wage and maintain payroll records for three years. There is no additional reporting requirement.

• Every worker has the right to be paid the wages they’ve earned and are entitled to. These could include, for example, the minimum wage, overtime, paid sick time, money for all of the time a person spends working, and the wages a person is promised.
  
  
• Civil wage theft happens whenever somebody isn’t paid the wages they’re entitled to, as promised and required by law.
  
  
• Civil wage theft is one of the most common legal violations in the country. Researchers estimate that every year, it affects millions of people and costs tens of billions of dollars.

All workers in the City and County of Denver are protected by Denver’s wage ordinances regardless of their immigration status. Denver Labor will not ask about the worker’s country of origin or immigration status during an investigation. Furthermore, Denver Labor will impose penalties for any unfair immigration-related actions or threats to workers. 

• Independent contractors are “workers” under the ordinance and may file complaints for unpaid wages.

Complaints may be submitted by any person or entity. Complaints may be submitted anonymously. In addition, the Auditor’s Office may initiate an investigation based on an employer’s pattern of violations or credible government data.

Individuals who wish to make a complaint related to Denver’s minimum wage may e-mail the Denver Auditor’s Office at wagecomplaints@denvergov.orgor call 720-913-WAGE (9243).

The Denver Auditor’s Office will investigate all credible complaints submitted. Complaints may be resolved by referral to another agency or mode of remedy. Where the Auditor’s Office finds and investigates a credible compliant, the Auditor’s Office will inform the employer of its investigation and request documentation from the employer demonstrating compliance with minimum wage requirements. When the investigation is complete, an assigned investigator will seek restitution for any underpaid employee and possibly levy fines or inform the complainant and employer no evidence of underpayment was found. Employers must provide the Auditor’s Office evidence of any restitution payment made.    

Employers may not take adverse action against an employee for their involvement in an investigation. Such retaliatory conduct is unlawful and subject to a $5,000 fine.

Starting in 2022, Denver Labor has used data and thoughtful analysis to improve the reach of our education and enforcement work within industries where workers are at highest risk of receiving less than the wages required according to law.

Using this information, Denver Labor may begin more proactive wage investigations without receiving a complaint of potential underpayment. Active wage enforcement will include strategic onsite visits to speak with at-risk workers.

• Yes. Employers could face significant penalties for committing wage theft and retaliation. Depending on the act, these penalties can be up to $25,000 per incident.

Find below the information you need about Civil Wage Theft and Minimum Wage Ordinances:

• Denver's Civil Wage Theft Rules(PDF, 720KB)
• Denver's Rules for Appeals and Hearings(PDF, 593KB)
• Denver Labor Subpoena Power(PDF, 739KB)
• La autoridad de emitir órdenes de comparecencia de Denver Labor(PDF, 673KB)
• Know Your Rights card(PDF, 346KB) (English) | Conoce tus derechos(PDF, 513KB)  (Spanish)
• Day labor anti-wage theft playbook | Manual contra el robo de salarios para trabajadores(PDF, 370KB) (English, español)
• Employee misclassification(PDF, 450KB) (English) | Clasificación errónea de los empleados(PDF, 468KB) (español)
• Citywide Wage Resources for Employers(PDF, 471KB) (English) | Recursos salariales de la ciudad para empleadores(PDF, 462KB) (español)
• Mandatory Work Site Poster (2026)(PDF, 579KB) (English; español)
• Mandatory Work Site Poster (2025)(PDF, 633KB) (English; español)
  • አማርኛ(PDF, 385KB)
  • 简体中文(PDF, 738KB)
  • 한국인(PDF, 705KB)
  • Tiếng Việt(PDF, 634KB)
• Wage Brochure for Workers (2025)(PDF, 420KB) (English)

• Español(PDF, 420KB)
• አማርኛ(PDF, 421KB)
• 简体中文(PDF, 548KB)
• 한국인(PDF, 502KB)
• Tiếng Việt(PDF, 410KB)

• Citywide Minimum Wage Ordinance(PDF, 243KB) 
• Minimum Wage Overview(PDF, 166KB) (English) |  Resumen del salario mínimo(PDF, 164KB) (español)
• Citywide Minimum Wage Investigation Summary(PDF, 176KB)
• Recordkeeping(PDF, 468KB)  
• Tip Credit Tracker for Food and Beverage Industry(PDF, 964KB)
• Underpayment Calculator for Employers(XLSX, 138KB) (English) | Calculadora de pago insuficiente para empleadores(XLSX, 141KB) (español)

If you have questions about Denver's Minimum Wage Ordinance or want to submit a wage complaint, please contact us by phone or by email. Denver Labor is here to help.

CALL: 720-913-WAGE (9243)
EMAIL: wagecomplaints@denvergov.org