Aurora Minimum Wage & Tipped Worker Ordinance Guide

Labor and Employment Colorado 4 Minutes Read ยท published February 09, 2026 Flag of Colorado

Aurora, Colorado workers and employers must follow Colorado minimum-wage and tipped-worker rules as they apply within the city; this guide summarizes the controlling state and federal frameworks and identifies where to file complaints and get help. It is based on official Colorado and federal guidance and is current as of February 2026. Where Aurora-specific ordinances do not exist, the statewide rules enforced by the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics apply and are cited below.[1]

Overview

There is no separate Aurora municipal minimum-wage schedule published as a city ordinance on the city code pages; workers in Aurora are subject to Colorado minimum-wage law as administered by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The Colorado rules set the state minimum wage and describe how tips and subminimum wages for tipped employees operate.[1]

If Aurora enacts a separate local wage ordinance it must be published in the municipal code and will supersede local guidance in this guide.

Who is covered

  • Most employees working in Aurora, including full-time, part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers, except where a specific statutory exemption applies.
  • Independent contractors are treated differently under Colorado and federal law; classification disputes are determined by statute and administrative guidance.
  • Public-sector employees follow separate pay rules set by governmental employer policies or collective bargaining agreements.

Tipped workers

Colorado law and federal wage-hour standards address tipped employees and how employers may apply a tip credit or pay a lower cash wage when tips make up the remainder; federal guidance explains the federal subminimum cash wage and employer obligations regarding tip pooling and recordkeeping.[2]

Tipped workers must track tips and employers must maintain payroll and tip records as required by wage-hour rules.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of wage and hour rules for Aurora employees is handled primarily by the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. The DLSS accepts wage claims, conducts investigations, and can order back pay and other remedies; specific enforcement procedures and remedies are described on the official state page cited below.[1]

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: agencies may order payment of back wages, liquidated damages, and other corrective orders; specific non-monetary sanctions are outlined by the enforcing agency on its site.
  • Enforcer: Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (DLSS) handles wage claims and investigations; complaints may be submitted through the DLSS portal or by contacting DLSS directly.[1]
  • Appeals and review: administrative appeal routes are governed by the DLSS procedures and Colorado administrative rules; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited page.
  • Defences and discretion: employers may raise statutory defenses such as good-faith compliance or proper tip-credit accounting; availability of variances or permits is not specified on the cited page.
If you believe your employer violated wage rules, file a complaint promptly because some remedies have time limits under administrative rules.

Applications & Forms

  • Wage claim forms and submission procedures: specific form names or numbers are not specified on the cited page; the DLSS website provides an online complaint and claim portal and guidance on required documentation.[1]

FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Aurora, Colorado?
Aurora follows the Colorado state minimum wage; check the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for the current rate and updates.[1]
How are tipped workers paid in Aurora?
Tipped workers may be paid a lower cash wage if tips bring total pay up to the required minimum; federal and Colorado rules on tip credits, tip pooling, and recordkeeping apply.[2]
How do I file a wage complaint in Aurora?
Gather pay stubs and records, contact your employer in writing, then file a claim with the Colorado DLSS using the official portal or contact the DLSS for assistance.[1]

How-To

  1. Collect evidence: pay stubs, time records, tip records, and written communications relating to pay.
  2. Request payment from your employer in writing and keep a copy of that request.
  3. File a wage claim with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics via the DLSS online portal or by contacting DLSS for paper forms.[1]
  4. Cooperate with the investigation and provide requested documentation.
  5. If unsatisfied with the administrative outcome, follow DLSS appeal procedures or consult counsel for civil remedies.

Key Takeaways

  • Aurora workers are covered primarily by Colorado minimum-wage and tipped-worker rules.
  • File wage claims with the Colorado DLSS; the DLSS handles investigations and orders.
  • Keep thorough payroll and tip records to support any claim or compliance check.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage and Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
  2. [2] U.S. Department of Labor - Tipped Employees (Wage and Hour Division)

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