Denver will raise its minimum wage rates again on January 1, 2026, with adjustments for both standard and tipped workers, as reported by Fox31.
The minimum wage rates for 2026 were updated as follows:
- US$19.29 per hour for non-tipped workers, up from US$18.81 in 2025
- US$16.27 per hour for tipped food and beverage workers, up from US$15.79 in 2025
These increases were established under the Denver Revised Municipal Code, created in 2019, which requires annual adjustments tied to inflation.
City officials explained that the 2026 increase is smaller than in previous years, as it reflects only a 2.56% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood area, compared with higher increases of 2.84% in 2025 and 5.8% in 2024
Mike Johnston, Mayor of Denver, emphasized that the city’s minimum wage policy is part of broader affordability measures, aimed at balancing higher wages with economic stability for residents and businesses.
Denver Minimum Wage Background
Denver’s local minimum wage applies citywide and is adjusted each year according to the CPI. Since the ordinance was introduced in 2019, both standard and tipped workers have seen annual increases, though tipped wages are set at a lower rate.
Despite the smaller adjustment for 2026, Denver’s minimum wage remains higher compared to that in the state. For comparison:
- Colorado’s statewide minimum wage in 2025 was US$14.81
- Edgewater and Boulder County reported minimum wages below US$17
Minimum Wage Trends in the US
Denver’s 2026 adjustment aligns with a national trend of cities and counties indexing wages to inflation. While growth in wages has slowed in some areas due to easing inflation, local minimum wages remain a key policy tool to address rising living costs across the country.
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