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Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 per hour, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, under 7 CCR 1103-1 (COMPS Order #40). — Source

Colorado wage law

Colorado Minimum Wage Calculator

Calculate estimated gross pay at Colorado's verified minimum wage of $15.16/hr, effective January 1, 2026. The calculator applies FLSA overtime at 1.5x for hours beyond 40.

Estimate your minimum wage gross pay

Worked examples

Example 1: standard 40-hour week

Hours worked = 40 Hourly rate = $15.16 (Colorado minimum wage) Regular pay = 40 x $15.16 = $606.40 Overtime = none Estimated gross = $606.40

Example 2: 45-hour week with overtime

Hours worked = 45 Regular hours = 40 x $15.16 = $606.40 Overtime hours = 5 x $22.74 (1.5x) = $113.70 Estimated gross = $720.10

The Colorado minimum wage rule

Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 per hour, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, under 7 CCR 1103-1 (COMPS Order #40), enforced by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). Colorado's minimum wage is set annually by COMPS Order (7 CCR 1103-1), indexed to the Consumer Price Index. Local municipalities including Denver, Boulder, and Edgewater have local ordinances above the statewide floor.

State-specific facts

Statute: 7 CCR 1103-1 (COMPS Order #40).

Wage-claim agency: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). File a wage complaint with CDLE at cdle.colorado.gov/wages/file-a-wage-claim.

Regional comparison: Neighboring Kansas remains at the federal $7.25/hr floor with no increase mechanism; Colorado's $15.16/hr CPI-indexed rate under COMPS Order #40 is more than twice that.

Local ordinances: Denver, Boulder, and Edgewater have local minimum wage ordinances that may set higher rates than the statewide floor. If you work in one of these jurisdictions, your local rate governs.

What this does not determine

Whether you or your employer is covered by the FLSA or applicable state wage law.
Tips, commissions, bonuses, shift differentials, or other forms of compensation.
Whether a local ordinance sets a higher minimum wage in your city or county.
Overtime owed under daily thresholds (applicable in Colorado and certain other states).
Youth, tipped, or training sub-minimum wages, which are unverified and not rendered here.
Final paycheck deadlines, break requirements, or other wage-and-hour protections.

Sources and verification

Colorado's minimum wage was verified from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE). The rate, effective date, and statutory citation were checked against the primary state source. See the site's methodology for how rules become tested calculator logic.

Common questions

What is the current minimum wage in Colorado?

Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16/hr, effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026, under 7 CCR 1103-1 (COMPS Order #40). Confirmed from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).

How is my minimum wage gross pay calculated?

Gross pay equals hours worked times the minimum wage rate for the first 40 hours. Federal law (FLSA) requires 1.5x for hours beyond 40 in a workweek. For example, 45 hours at $15.16 yields $606.40 regular plus $113.70 overtime, totaling $720.10 gross.

Who can I contact about a minimum wage dispute in Colorado?

Contact the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) at https://cdle.colorado.gov for state law claims, or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division (dol.gov/agencies/whd) for FLSA claims. Both agencies accept wage complaints at no cost.

Does Colorado have a higher minimum wage in Denver?

Yes. Denver's local ordinance sets a higher minimum wage than the statewide $15.16/hr under COMPS Order #40. Boulder and Edgewater also have local rates above the state floor. The higher local rate applies if you work in these jurisdictions. Check the relevant city ordinance for the current rate.