7 CCR 1103-14
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT 2026 PUBLICATION AND YEARLY CALCULATION OF ADJUSTED LABOR COMPENSATION (2026 PAY CALC) ORDER 7 CCR 1103-14 [Editor’s Notes follow the text of the rules at the end of this CCR Document.] Adopted December 8, 2025; effective February 1, 2026.
Rule 1. Statement of Purpose, Requirements, and Calculations 1.1 This Publication And Yearly Calculation of Adjusted Labor Compensation Order (PAY CALC Order), 7 CCR 1103-14, publishes values that adjust periodically under the Colorado Wage Act, C.R.S. § 8-4-101 et seq., Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order), 7 CCR 1103-1, Wage Protection Rules, 7 CCR 1103 7, or other laws.
1.2 Coverage and Application.
Minimum Pay Level in 2026 Level Future Annual COMPS Order Rule Adjustments (Yearly Calculation)
(A) Full Colorado minimum adjusted by CPI wage (R. 3.1) (Consumer Price Index)
(B) Amount of Colorado that adding tips raises total full Colorado minimum minimum wage that employers pay to full minimum wage wage to the extent that must pay to tipped employees adding tips raises total (R. 1.10, 6.2.3) pay to full Colorado minimum wage $12.89 per hour 15% below full minimum (C) Minimum wage for non- wage emancipated minors (R. 3.3)
Minimum Pay Level in 2026 Level Future Annual COMPS Order Rule Adjustments (Yearly Calculation)
(D) Minimum pay for $620.52 per week Prior year’s level agricultural range workers (R. adjusted by inflation 2.4.9)
(E) Executive/supervisor, $1,111.23 per week ($57,784 Prior year’s level administrative, or professional rounded annual equivalent); adjusted by inflation employees (EAP) (R. 2.5.1); and sufficient for the certain owners or proprietors minimum wage for all hours of non-profit employers (R. worked in a workweek 2.2.5); decision-making managers at livestock employers (R. 2.4.8)
(F) Highly technical computer $34.85 per hour or the EAP Prior year’s hourly wage employees (R. 2.5.2, 2.2.10) salary above (row E) adjusted by inflation, or the EAP salary above (G) Highly compensated $130,014 annually, and the The annual EAP salary employees (R. 2.2.11) EAP salary (row E) weekly (row E) multiplied by
(H) Certain drivers and driver’s $833.80 per week Based on Colorado helpers (R. 2.4.6) minimum wage each year (I) Certain seasonal camp or Full minimum wage or, per Based on Colorado outdoor education field staff week: $436.72 (adults) or minimum wage each (R. 2.2.7(E)) $341.38 (minors); except at year non-profits with up to $25 million in revenue, $330.60 (adults) or $251.15 (minors)
Inflation or Otherwise Amounts and Dates Future Adjustments Adjusted Wage Act Amounts (A) The Division shall accept Through June 30, 2026: On January 1, 2028, and wage claims for the following $7,500 per employee then every other year per-employee amounts, thereafter, the rate will pursuant to C.R.S. § 8-4- From July 1, 2026 increase by either $1,000 111(2)(a)(I) and as stated in through December 31, or a higher amount if Wage Protection Rule 3.1.5 2027: $13,000.00 per necessary to adjust for employee inflation, as based on the CPI-U for Denver-Aurora- Lakewood 1.3 Additional Requirements. Many of the referenced COMPS Order rules have other requirements aside from a minimum pay level, including but not limited to: an employee having duties that qualify for exemption; an employee receiving sufficient tips to allow for a tip credit to be taken; and an employer paying any higher applicable federal, local, or minimum wage.
Rule 2. Authority, Construction, and Definitions 2.1 Authority and Application. This PAY CALC Order is issued under the authority and as enforcement of Section 15 of Article XVIII of the Colorado Constitution and Articles 1, 4, 6, 12, and 13.3 of C.R.S. Title 8, and is intended to be consistent with these provisions as well as the State Administrative Procedure Act, C.R.S. § 24-4-101, et seq. Where these Rules reference another rule, the reference shall be deemed to include all subparts of the referenced rule. Where these Rules have provisions different from or contrary to any referenced material, the provisions of these Rules govern, so long as they are consistent with Colorado statutory and constitutional provisions. Unless otherwise noted, in these Rules: all statutes cited apply the most recent versions of the Colorado Revised Statutes; all rules cited apply the most recent versions adopted as of the adoption of these Rules. Earlier versions of such laws and rules may apply to events that occurred in prior years.
2.2 Administration and Dual Jurisdiction. The Division shall have jurisdiction over all questions arising with respect to the administration and interpretation of this PAY CALC Order. Whenever employers are subjected to Colorado law as well as federal and/or local law, the law providing greater protection or setting the higher standard shall apply. For information on federal law, contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division; find local minimum wages, industry-specific base wages, and other wage requirements in Colorado at www.coloradolaborlaw.gov, or contact the relevant local government for more details.
2.3 Separability. These Rules are intended to remain in effect to the maximum extent possible. If any part (including any section, sentence, clause, phrase, word, or number) is held invalid, (A) the remainder of the Rules remain valid, and (B) if the provision is held not wholly invalid, but merely in need of narrowing, the provision should be retained in narrowed form.
2.4 “Division” means the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
_____________________________________________________________________ Editor’s Notes History New rule eff. 01/01/2022.
Entire rule eff. 01/01/2023.
Entire rule eff. 01/01/2024.
Entire rule eff. 01/01/2025.
Entire rule eff. 01/01/2026.
Entire rule eff. 02/01/2026.