Colorado Minimum Wage 2026: $15.16/hr
Last updated: 2026-06-02 — Source: Colorado Department of Labor
In Colorado, the minimum wage is $15.16 per hour, effective 2026-01-01. Colorado sets its own minimum wage, and a tip credit is allowed: the tipped cash wage is $12.14 per hour, with tips expected to bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage. Overtime is paid at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, and after 12 hours in a single workday. This reflects a state overtime law.
Quick answer
Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16/hr in 2026 — $7.91 above the federal $7.25 minimum , ranked #9 of 51 US jurisdictions. The tipped cash wage is $12.14/hr.
Minimum Wage
$15.16
per hour
Tipped Wage
$12.14
per hour (cash wage)
Effective Date
2026-01-01
How Colorado compares
State vs Federal
+$7.91
vs the federal $7.25 minimum (+109.1%)
State Rate
$15.16
per hour
National Rank
#9
of 51 jurisdictions
Ranked by 2026 effective minimum wage across all 51 U.S. states and jurisdictions. Federal comparison source: U.S. Department of Labor.
Colorado Overtime Rules
Colorado requires overtime at 1.5x for hours worked over 12 in a workday, over 12 consecutive hours (excluding duty-free meal breaks), or over 40 in a workweek. Employer must pay whichever yields higher compensation.
Additional Information
Colorado adjusts annually for CPI. Max tip credit is $3.02/hr. Amendment 70 (2016) established the annual adjustment mechanism.