Minimum wage in Colorado
Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 an hour, $7.91 above the federal minimum. Full-time, that works out to $31,533 a year before taxes.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: news.bloombergtax.com.
City and county minimum wages
Denver $19.29 in 2026 ($19.84 on Jan 1, 2027); Boulder $16.82 ($18.17 in 2027); Edgewood and unincorporated Boulder County also set local rates. Local rates apply to work performed inside those city or county limits.
What the minimum wage pays in Colorado
| Period | Before taxes | After taxes (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Hour | $15.16 | $12.84 |
| Week (40 hours) | $606 | $513 |
| Month | $2,628 | $2,225 |
| Year (2,080 hours) | $31,533 | $26,699 |
After-tax figures assume a single filer with the standard deduction, tax year 2026. Run your own numbers.
Overtime
Non-exempt workers earn at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, which is $22.74 an hour at the Colorado minimum. Daily overtime after 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours, plus weekly after 40 (COMPS Order).
How Colorado compares with its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.71 on January 1, 2027 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $15.65 on January 1, 2027 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | — |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $15.26 on January 1, 2027 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | — |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | — |
| Utah | $7.25 | — |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | — |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum wage in Colorado?
- The Colorado minimum wage is $15.16 an hour as of November 3, 2026.
- Is Colorado's minimum wage going up?
- Yes. It is scheduled to rise to $15.71 on January 1, 2027.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
- Employers can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $12.14 as long as tips bring total pay to at least $15.16 an hour.
- How much is minimum wage a year in Colorado?
- About $31,533 before taxes for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, or roughly $26,699 after federal and state taxes.