Colorado minimum wage in 2027
Colorado’s minimum wage rises from $15.16 to $15.71 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, about $1,144 more a year for a full-time worker.
- Minimum wage from Jan 1, 2027$15.71/hrNow: $15.16
- Raise per hour+$0.553.6% more
- Full-time pay at the new rate$32,677/yr2,080 hours, before taxes
- Extra pay for a full-time worker+$1,144/yr
What changes in Colorado
- Adjusted for inflation under the state constitution using the CPI-U; announced Aug 13, 2026.
- The tipped minimum wage rises to $12.69 an hour.
- Denver’s 2027 minimum wage is $19.84 an hour.
- Boulder’s minimum wage rises from $16.82 to $18.17 on Jan 1, 2027.
- Tipped cash wage $12.69. Denver: $19.84.
Colorado and nearby states
| State | Now | Jan 1, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado | $15.16 | $15.71 |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $15.26 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $7.25 |
See every state’s 2027 minimum wage for the full list.
Common questions
What will Colorado’s minimum wage be in 2027?
$15.71 an hour from January 1, 2027, announced by the state. It is $15.16 now.
How much is $15.71 an hour a year?
About $32,677 for a full-time worker at 2,080 hours, before taxes. That is $1,144 more than at today’s $15.16.
Does Colorado use the federal minimum wage?
No. Colorado’s rate is higher than the federal $7.25, so the state rate applies to most jobs. If a city or county sets a higher rate, that one applies.
When do employers have to start paying the new rate?
For hours worked on or after January 1, 2027, even if payday falls later in January.
Sources
- Colorado minimum wage to rise to $15.71 in 2027, ColoradoBiz, Aug 14, 2026
- Minimum wage by state 2027, StartBusinessByState.com, Oct 16, 2026
- 2027 state-by-state and local minimum wage changes, Experian Employer Services
- State minimum wage laws, U.S. Department of Labor
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