How Enforcement Works
Citywide Minimum Wage: $12.85
During the 2019 legislative session, the Colorado legislature enacted a new statute permitting local governments to set a jurisdiction-wide minimum wage. In November 2019, the Denver City Council created Denver Revised Municipal Code Chapter 33.7-16, which sets the local minimum wage for Denver and prescribes the means for setting, enforcing, and complying with the new local minimum wage.
How Denver Labor works
Citywide Minimum Wage
- Applies to all work performed on City of Denver property or using city dollars
- Covers concessions, catering, maintenance, ramp and cargo, hospitality, security, miscellaneous services
- Minimum increases annually on July 1
- Complaints may not be anonymous
Contractor Minimum Wage
- Applies to all work performed on City of Denver property or using city dollars
- Covers concessions, catering, maintenance, ramp and cargo, hospitality, security, miscellaneous services
- Minimum increases annually on July 1
- Complaints may not be anonymous
Prevailing Wage
- Applies to all work performed on City of Denver property or using city dollars
- Covers contractors and subcontractors for construction, improvement, repair, maintenance, demolition, or janitorial work
- See Prevailing Wage for updated wage rates
- 100% of payrolls must be submitted and will be reviewed by our analysts
Living Wage
- Applies to all contractors or subcontractors to the city
- Covers parking lot attendants, security guards, or child care workers
- See Denver Labor for updated wage rates
- Denver Labor applies whichever applicable rates (minimum wage, prevailing wage, living wage) are highest
Receiving Complaints
HOW
Complaints can be made by
| Webform |
| Telephone |
| In person |
- All complaints must be made in writing.
- We will assist anyone making a complaint in completing the necessary forms.
WHO
Complaints can be made by
| Employees |
| A third-party: family/friends, attorney, community resource, labor organization |
| Anonymous |
- However, we encourage any party making a complaint to share contact information. We make every effort to keep complainant’s information confidentiality.
- Communication between the complainant and the investigator can dramatically assist an investigation.
WHAT
Complaints should include
| Employer’s name |
|
Location where the work was performed |
|
A statement explaining the alleged violation |
- The investigator assigned to the complaint may contact a complainant for additional information or documentation.
- Denver Labor will not ask and accept information related to a party’s citizenship or immigration status.
- The more information the complainant can provide, the greater the likelihood of a successful investigation.
6 steps of an investigation
RECEIVE COMPLAINT
Denver Labor receives a complaint about a minimum wage violation.
The complaint will be reviewed to ensure initial investigation requirements
Employer requirements
Denver law requires employers conducitng business in Denver to retain records demonstrating compliance with Denver’s minimum wage law.
Determine underpayment, violations and fines
COMPLAINT UNSUPPORTED
- Investigator will inform both the complainant and the employer no underpayment or violation was found.
- Case will be closed.
- A determination does not bar any party from seeking alternative relief or prevent a party from resubmitting a complaint with additional information.
- A party has 30 days from the notice of a determination to file a written appeal with the Auditor’s Office.
COMPLAINT SUPPORTED
- Investigator will inform both the complainant and the employer of any restitution owed and the assessment of any applicable fines.
- The employer can be fined for underpaying employees, failing to produce records, and providing false records.
- Most of the fines are mandatory and cannot be waived by Denver Labor.
- A party has 30 days from the notice of a determination to file a written appeal with the Auditor’s Office.
