Denver Minimum Wage 2027: $19.84 an Hour, Up $0.55
Short answer: Denver's minimum wage is $19.84 an hour starting January 1, 2027, up 55 cents from $19.29 in 2026. It is $4.13 above the Colorado statewide minimum of $15.71. In the food and beverage industry employers may take a tip credit of up to $3.02 an hour.
The rates, year by year
Denver's Auditor's Office lists the recent history on its minimum wage page: $18.29 in 2024, $18.81 in 2025, $19.29 in 2026, and $19.84 on January 1, 2027. At 2,080 hours a year the 2027 rate is worth $41,267, which is $1,144 more than at the 2026 rate.
Who is covered
Per the Auditor's Office, the Denver rate covers all employees working within the geographical limits of the City and County of Denver, and an employer does not need a contractual relationship with the city. Because Denver's rate is higher than the state's, a Denver employee paid the Colorado rate of $15.71 would be underpaid by $4.13 an hour (about $8,590 a year at full-time hours).
Tipped employees
The Auditor's Office says employers in the food and beverage industry may claim a maximum tip credit of $3.02 an hour. Subtracting that from $19.84 gives a minimum cash wage of $16.82, but only if tips make up the difference. Colorado's state tipped cash wage is $12.69 in 2027 (state minimum $15.71 minus the same $3.02), so Denver servers should always check which rate applies at their job.
For federal taxes, the tips a Denver server receives are potentially eligible for the federal tips deduction (up to $25,000) because the occupation is on the IRS list; see the servers guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Denver minimum wage in 2027?
Denver's minimum wage rises from $19.29 an hour in 2026 to $19.84 an hour on January 1, 2027, according to the Denver Auditor's Office. It applies to all employees working within the geographic limits of the City and County of Denver.
Does Denver allow a tip credit?
Yes, in the food and beverage industry. The Auditor's Office says employers may claim a maximum tip credit of $3.02 an hour, which implies a minimum cash wage of $16.82 in 2027 ($19.84 − $3.02, our arithmetic). Tips plus cash wage must still reach the full minimum.
Is Denver's minimum wage higher than Colorado's?
Yes. Colorado's statewide minimum wage is $15.71 in 2027 per the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, so Denver is $4.13 an hour higher.
Does my employer need a contract with Denver for the wage to apply?
No. The Auditor's Office says employers do not need to maintain a contractual relationship with the city; the rate covers all employees working within Denver's geographic limits.
Can I file a wage complaint anonymously?
Yes. Denver Labor says wage complaints can be anonymous. Contact details are on the Denver Auditor's minimum wage page.
Sources and citations
Every dollar figure on this page was checked against the official pages below on November 14, 2026. If an agency updates its guidance, the agency page controls.