Minimum Wage
Which Minimum Wage Do I Pay?
Although the federal minimum wage increased to $7.25 per hour
beginning July 24, 2009, Colorado state minimum wage remains higher at $7.28
per hour.
If an employee is covered by federal or Colorado state minimum wage laws, then the employer must pay $7.28
per hour, the state minimum wage. In general, the
state minimum wage rate applies to all employees in Colorado.
Colorado State Minimum Wage
Article XVIII, Section 15, of the Colorado Constitution requires the Colorado minimum wage to be adjusted
annually for inflation. For more information, click on the Minimum Wage Fact Sheet.
| Proposed: Effective January 1, 2010 |
$7.24 per hour |
$4.22 per hour for tipped employees |
| Effective January 1, 2009 and current |
$7.28 per hour |
$4.26 per hour for tipped employees |
| Effective January 1, 2008 |
$7.02 per hour |
$4.00 per hour for tipped employees |
| Effective January 1, 2007 |
$6.85 per hour |
$3.83 per hour for tipped employees |
Proposed Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 26
It is proposed, in accordance with Article XVIII, Section 15, of the Colorado Constitution and under the authority granted the Division of Labor in § 8-1-107(2)(p), § 8-6-106, § 8-6-108(2), and § 8-6-109, C.R.S. (2009), that the Director of the Division of Labor adopt Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 26, 7 CCR 1103-1, to reflect the new state minimum wage.
The proposed state minimum wage is adjusted for inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index used for Colorado. The adjustment is based on the
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), All Items, for the Denver-Boulder-Greeley metropolitan statistical area as published by the
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The August 14, 2009, BLS
press release indicates prices decreased 0.6 percent from the first half of 2008 to the first half of 2009.
Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 25
Effective January 1, 2009 and current:
Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 25 established a state minimum wage rate of $7.28 which is adjusted for inflation, in accordance with Article XVIII, Section 15, of the Colorado Constitution.
Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 24
Effective January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2008:
Colorado Minimum Wage Order Number 24 established a state minimum wage rate of $7.02.
Minimum Wage Complaint
The Division of Labor will assist in the recovery of earned compensation. If you wish to file a
minimum wage complaint with the Division click here.
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