Denver to Raise Minimum Wage to $19.29 in 2026: One of the Highest in the U.S.

Starting January 1, 2026, workers in Denver, Colorado will see one of the largest local wage hikes in the country.

This $1.42 increase is designed to keep up with the rising cost of living and help workers afford essentials like housing, groceries, and transportation.

Why Denver is Raising the Minimum Wage

The wage hike is based on a 2019 city ordinance that requires annual adjustments tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), a key measure of inflation.

• If inflation rises, the minimum wage rises too.

• The goal: prevent workers from losing purchasing power as costs increase.

Who Gets the Raise?

The new minimum wage applies to all workers within Denver city limits, including:

• Full-time and part-time employees

• Restaurant, retail, cleaning, and construction workers

• Tipped employees, like servers and bartenders (must still make at least $19.29/hour with tips; employers must cover the gap if tips fall short)

Denver Among Top-Paying Cities

This change places Denver well above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, which hasn’t increased since 2009.

Worker advocates hope other cities will follow Denver’s lead, making wage increases more common nationwide.

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