Denver’s $19.29 Minimum Wage in 2026: Who Qualifies?

Experts believe this raise could inspire other U.S. cities to raise wages in 2026 and beyond, especially as inflation continues to impact everyday expenses.

In this article, we simplified everything you need to know about Denver’s new rate that's far above the federal minimum wage of $7.25.
 

• Effective date: January 1, 2026

• New rate: $19.29/hour (up from $17.87 in 2025)

• Reason: Annual inflation adjustment under Denver’s 2019 wage ordinance

• Impact: One of the highest city minimum wages in the U.S.

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Who Is Eligible

• All full-time employees working within Denver city limits

• All part-time employees working any hours in Denver

• Seasonal workers (even short-term hires)

• Tipped workers (waiters, bartenders, etc.) must earn $19.29/hour total (wages + tips)

• Workers in restaurants, retail, cleaning, construction, personal care, and more

 

Who Is Not Eligible

• Remote workers outside Denver who do not physically work in the city

• Some contract/gig workers (eligibility depends on labor classification rules)

 

Tipped Worker Rules

• Employers can pay a lower base rate only if tips make up the difference

• If tips fall short, employer must pay the gap to reach $19.29/hour

 

Why This Matters

• Protects workers’ buying power as cost of living rises

• Sets a new high benchmark, over 2.5x the federal minimum of $7.25/hour

• Could influence other cities and states to follow suit

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