EMPLOYMENT LAW NEWS
Boulder County Reverses Course on Minimum Wage Set for Jan. 1, 2026
By Dana Holle, GovDocs Counsel Employment Law and Compliance
Published December 2, 2025
Boulder County revised its 2026 minimum wage plan, aligning with the City of Boulder. Starting Jan. 1, 2026, the minimum wage will be $16.82 ($13.80 for tipped workers), with future increases tied to the CPI. This last-minute change shows why tools like GovDocs Minimum Wage are essential for tracking shifting local wage laws.
Overview of Boulder County’s Updated Minimum Wage for 2026
Boulder County’s Board of County Commissioners voted on Nov. 20, 2025, to implement a new minimum wage schedule that aligns with the City of Boulder. Effective Jan. 1, 2026, unincorporated Boulder County’s minimum wage increases to $16.82 and tipped employee wage increases to $13.80.
Background on Ordinance 2023-4 and the Original 2026 Wage Plan
Back in 2023, the Board of County Commissioners adopted Ordinance 2023-4, establishing a local minimum wage within the unincorporated areas of Boulder County, beginning Jan. 1, 2024. Ordinance 2023-4 originally included a minimum wage increase to $17.99 per hour and a tipped employee wage increase to $14.97 for food and beverage workers on Jan. 1, 2026. It also provided scheduled minimum wage increases out to 2030, where the rates would then increase based on the applicable consumer price index annually thereafter.
Community Concerns and the Amendment Process
After concerns over the rise in labor costs for farmers and small business owners, Boulder County commissioners held a public hearing and considered several proposals to amend the county minimum wage ordinance. After a 2-1 vote, Ordinance 2025-001 was adopted in late November, officially amending the minimum wage rate schedule for future increases.
Alignment with the City of Boulder and New Wage Schedule
Accordingly, Boulder County will align with the City of Boulder and increase its minimum wage to $16.82 on Jan. 1, 2026, and then adjust the county minimum wage annually based on the Consumer Price Index for the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood Area. The tip credit remains the same at $3.02 under the new ordinance, so tipped food and beverage workers will see a tipped employee wage increase to $13.80.
How Employers Can Keep Up with Boulder County Minimum Wage Changes
Staying on top of minimum wage updates is a daunting task, especially when local jurisdictions like Boulder County pull a fast one and change their upcoming minimum wage with just a month’s notice. This is where GovDocs Minimum Wage helps employers keep track of upcoming wage increases to ensure employees are accurately paid.
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