Denver’s minimum wage will be over $19 per hour in 2026

I’m probably aging myself by saying this, but I still remember when making $12 per hour was a decent wage…

Some hourly Denver workers can expect a pay bump beginning on Jan. 1, as the city’s local minimum wage rate will increase to $19.29 from $18.81, the city’s Department of Finance announced on Thursday (Aug. 7).

Tipped food and beverage workers will also see an increase up to $16.27 per hour.

Denver has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation and is significantly higher than the state’s minimum wage, which currently sits at $14.81.

The new increases could into effect on January 1st, 2026.