Colorado Minimum Wage Order
C.R.S. 8-6-111
Regulatory Snapshot: Colorado Minimum Wage Order
Colorado Minimum Wage Order (C.R.S. 8-6-111) is an enacted law in Colorado under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2024-01-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. Colorado currently reports 8 tracked regulations with 8 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 76/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Colorado within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in C.R.S. 8-6-111 itself.
Applicability under Colorado Minimum Wage Order: All Colorado employers except federal and FLSA-exempt. Penalty exposure is documented as: CDLE enforcement. Up to $1,000/violation. Private right of action. Notable exemptions: Outside salespeople, exempt salaried employees..
Summary
Colorado minimum wage $14.81/hr (2025). Annually indexed to regional CPI. Tipped workers: $11.79/hr.
Key Requirements
$14.81/hr (2025). Tipped: $11.79/hr + tips. Annual CCPA CPI adjustment. COMPS Order sets overtime, rest periods.
Penalties
CDLE enforcement. Up to $1,000/violation. Private right of action.
Applicability
All Colorado employers except federal and FLSA-exempt.
Exemptions
Outside salespeople, exempt salaried employees.
Official Source
https://cdle.colorado.gov/wages/minimum-wageFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Colorado is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Colorado Minimum Wage Order enacted?
Colorado Minimum Wage Order was enacted on 2024-01-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as C.R.S. 8-6-111.
What are the penalties for violating Colorado Minimum Wage Order?
CDLE enforcement. Up to $1,000/violation. Private right of action. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Colorado Minimum Wage Order apply to small businesses?
All Colorado employers except federal and FLSA-exempt. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Colorado compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Colorado has a regulatory strictness score of 76/100, based on 8 enacted regulations out of 8 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Colorado Minimum Wage Order?
The official text of Colorado Minimum Wage Order (C.R.S. 8-6-111) is available from the Colorado legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |