Local Minimum Wage

According to state statute, counties and incorporated towns and cities may establish a local minimum wage. The Boulder County Commissioners raised the minimum wage in the unincorporated parts of the county above the state’s minimum wage in response to the rising cost of living and increased demand on county services and nonprofit organizations.

On. Nov. 20, 2025, the Boulder County Commissioners voted to change future increases to Boulder County’s local minimum wage starting Jan.1, 2026. The commissioners made the change in response to concerns from members of the farming and business community in unincorporated Boulder County. Members of the public shared feedback through emails, voicemails, attendance at Monthly Public Comment, and in the lead up to and during two public hearings (Oct. 14 and Nov. 20).

The local minimum wage applies to individuals performing, or expected to perform, four or more hours of work for an employer in any given week within unincorporated Boulder County. This requirement does not apply to time spent in Boulder County solely for the purpose of traveling through Boulder County’s boundaries to a destination outside of Boulder County’s boundaries, with no employment-related or commercial stops in Boulder County’s jurisdiction except for refueling or the employee’s personal meals or errands.

The local minimum wage applies to individuals performing, or expected to perform, four or more hours of work for an employer in any given week within unincorporated Boulder County. This requirement does not apply to time spent in Boulder County solely for the purpose of traveling through Boulder County’s boundaries to a destination outside of Boulder County’s boundaries, with no employment-related or commercial stops in Boulder County’s jurisdiction except for refueling or the employee’s personal meals or errands.

According to state statute, the Boulder County Commissioners only have the authority to establish a local minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County. The commissioners are committed to working with municipal governments within Boulder County to establish one minimum wage for the whole county.

The Cities of Boulder, Lafayette, Longmont, Louisville and the Town of Erie collectively explored a potential increase to the local minimum wage in their respective communities. In 2024, the City of Boulder approved a local minimum wage.

Yes, the local minimum wage applies to all businesses regardless of the number of employees.

In 2023, the Boulder County Commissioners raised the local minimum wage in unincorporated Boulder County. In 2025, the commissioners amended the wage schedule. The Boulder County Minimum Wage is as follows, exclusive of fringe benefits and any other deductions or credits, except as otherwise described in the county’s minimum wage ordinance:

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and on Jan. 1 of each subsequent calendar year, such amended wage rate necessary to keep pace with the year-over year increase in the Consumer Price Index, for all items, published annually each August for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Area.

Local minimum wage for tipped employees

Beginning Jan. 1, 2027 and on January 1 of each subsequent calendar year, such amended wage rate necessary to keep pace with the year-over year increase in the Consumer Price Index, for all items, published annually each August for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Area.

Yes, the local minimum wage applies to people under the age of 18.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) is fully authorized to investigate and issue orders to remedy violations of labor laws, including an employer’s failure to pay wages. Get CDLE guidance on demand for payment of wages and making a complaint against an employer. Additional information is available on the Boulder District Attorney’s website.

If you have been the victim of a crime, including wage theft, please contact the District Attorney’s Office 303-441-3700.

The Colorado Department of Employment and Labor (CDLE) creates a Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order Poster each year, which is available in English and Spanish (as well as other languages). Displaying the most up-to-date version of this poster in English and Spanish meets the requirements of Boulder County’s local minimum wage ordinance.

As outlined in the ordinance, every employer must post the notice in English and Spanish in a prominent place that is easily accessible to all employees. If display of a physical notice is not feasible, including the situation when an employee does not have a regular workplace or job site, employers must provide the required information on an individual basis, in an employee’s primary language, in paper or electronic form that is reasonably conspicuous and accessible.

If employees are already being paid the Boulder County local minimum wage or higher, no action is needed by the employer except to display a notice of the local minimum wage (as required by the county ordinance).