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Denver, Colorado · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Denver, Colorado
Tipped wage.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for tipped wage.

Notice: General informational guidance, not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer. Federal, state, and municipal regulations operate concurrently.
Part of Colorado Employment Compliance

Municipal ordinances operate concurrently with state and federal labor laws.

Colorado Tipped wage → All Colorado Rules →

Separate Denver rules

No separate Denver rule is published yet for tipped wage. The state rule shown below applies unless a different local requirement is verified and published. Do not treat the state figure as a Denver figure.

Applicable state and federal rules

These are state or federal requirements that may also apply within Denver. Each entry remains labeled with its own jurisdiction and source.

Tipped wage · ColoradoChanged recently

Colorado tipped wage

Cash wage $12.14 per hour; tip credit $3.02 (2026)

The 2026 PAY CALC Order sets the Colorado minimum wage at $15.16 per hour and the tipped employee minimum wage at $12.14 per hour, a tip credit of $3.02, provided tips bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Colorado · All industries
Effective
Jan 1, 2026

Local notes & what to do

Colorado recalculates its wage figures every year in the PAY CALC Order: for 2026 the minimum wage is $15.16, the tipped cash wage is $12.14 and the exempt salary floor is $57,784 a year. Colorado overtime is broader than federal law - it is due after 12 hours in a day or 12 consecutive hours as well as after 40 in a week. FAMLI premiums fell to 0.88% of wages in 2026 (0.86% is announced for 2027), and 2026 adds up to 12 extra weeks of leave for parents of babies in neonatal intensive care.

Official source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - 2026 PAY CALC Order (7 CCR 1103-14) Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Colorado
Colorado tipped wage 		Cash wage $12.14 per hour; tip credit $3.02 (2026) 0–any employees
All industries 		Jan 1, 2026
Current 		Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - 2026 PAY CALC Order (7 CCR 1103-14)
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Denver, Colorado?

Colorado · Tipped wage

Rule name changed from not previously published to Colorado tipped wage. Summary changed from not previously published to The 2026 PAY CALC Order sets the Colorado minimum wage at $15.16 per hour and the tipped employee minimum wage at $12.14 per hour, a tip credit of $3.02, provided tips bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage.. Requirement changed from not previously published to Cash wage $12.14 per hour; tip credit $3.02 (2026). Numeric amount changed from not previously published to 12.14. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jan 1, 2026. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Colorado recalculates its wage figures every year in the PAY CALC Order: for 2026 the minimum wage is $15.16, the tipped cash wage is $12.14 and the exempt salary floor is $57,784 a year. Colorado overtime is broader than federal law - it is due after 12 hours in a day or 12 consecutive hours as well as after 40 in a week. FAMLI premiums fell to 0.88% of wages in 2026 (0.86% is announced for 2027), and 2026 adds up to 12 extra weeks of leave for parents of babies in neonatal intensive care.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - 2026 PAY CALC Order (7 CCR 1103-14) · Effective Jan 1, 2026 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Tipped wage in Denver, Colorado

What is the Colorado tipped wage requirement for 0+ employees?

Cash wage $12.14 per hour; tip credit $3.02 (2026). The 2026 PAY CALC Order sets the Colorado minimum wage at $15.16 per hour and the tipped employee minimum wage at $12.14 per hour, a tip credit of $3.02, provided tips bring total pay to at least the full minimum wage.

When did Colorado tipped wage take effect?

Effective January 1, 2026. Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - 2026 PAY CALC Order (7 CCR 1103-14). Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Colorado tipped wage?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Colorado across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Colorado tipped wage?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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