Denver's minimum wage is now nearly $19 an hour
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The minimum wage increased this month in both Denver and the state of Colorado.
Why it matters: An estimated 260,800 local employees will benefit from the pay bumps directly and indirectly, according to the Economic Policy Institute.
By the numbers: As of Jan. 1, Colorado's minimum wage rose from $14.42 to $14.81 per hour.
- In Denver, hourly wages climbed to $18.81, up from $18.29 in 2024 — continuing a 2019 Denver City Council-approved plan to incrementally raise them from $12.85 in 2020.
- Other local governments also raised their minimum wages this year. Boulder County's is $16.57 (up from $15.69), while Edgewater's is $16.52 (up from $15.02).
Context: Since 2020, Colorado law has allowed local governments to set their own minimum wages following the 2019 passage of House Bill 1210.
- Denver led the charge, making the change almost immediately. Boulder County and Edgewater joined last year.
Zoom out: Colorado is one of 21 states where minimum wage hikes are happening this year.
- Among states and the District of Columbia, the minimum wage is highest in Washington, D.C. ($17.50), followed by Washington state ($16.66), California ($16.50) and New York ($16.50).
The big picture: This year's increases lift the pay of more than 9.2 million people nationwide, per the Economic Policy Institute's tally.
Yes, but: Critics, particularly in the restaurant industry, argue rising labor costs are driving closures.