Denver’s Minimum Wage Increasing to $12.85 Effective Jan. 1, 2020

Posted by: Emma Berdanier on December 10th, 2019

On Jan. 1, 2020, Colorado’s minimum wage will increase from $11.10 per hour to $12.00 per hour. Denver’s minimum wage, however, will increase to $12.85 per hour – 7% higher than the rest of Colorado. This increase in Denver’s rate is the result of a bill passed by the Colorado legislature this year giving cities the power to set citywide minimum wages at a higher rate than the statewide standard. Denver is the first city to take advantage of this law.

Denver’s New Minimum Wage Law

Under the new law, which was unanimously approved by Denver City Council on Nov. 27, 2019, Denver’s minimum wage will increase each year through 2022. Following 2022, the citywide minimum wage will adjust each year based on the Consumer Price Index.

• $12.85 per hour effective on Jan. 1, 2020
• $14.77 per hour effective on Jan. 1, 2021
• $15.87 per hour effective on Jan. 1, 2022

Some employees, however, will remain exempt including those who 1) perform their work outside of Denver, 2) work fewer than four hours within Denver in a week, or 3) are only traveling through Denver during work. These employees will remain under Colorado’s statewide minimum wage.

J. Kent Staffing’s Minimum Wage for 2020

At J. Kent Staffing, we understand that compensating our temporary employees well is key to attracting and retaining the talent we need to fulfill the staffing needs of our corporate clients.

The majority of our temporary assignments pay well above our stated minimum wage rates. However, for entry-level office clerical and event staffing, we are committed to increasing our minimum wage standards each year to exceed what is expected by Colorado and Denver law.

On Jan. 1, 2020, J. Kent Staffing’s minimum wage rates will increase to:

• $14.00 per hour for office/clerical staff (up from $13.00 in 2019)
• $13.00 per hour for event staff (up from $12.00 in 2019)

---

Sources:

• “Denver Labor in the Auditor’s Office Will Help Employers, Employees Navigate New Minimum Wage.” Denver Auditor, 25 November 2019.
• Reedy, Allyson. “Colorado Restaurant Association Prepares to Take a Stand on Denver’s Minimum Wage Increases.” 5280, 7 November 2019.
• Swanson, Conrad. “Denver City Council unanimously approves minimum wage hike starting Jan. 1.” The Denver Post, 25 November 2019.