Centennial Minimum Wage, Tipped Pay & Sick Leave

Labor and Employment Colorado 5 Minutes Read ยท published March 01, 2026 Flag of Colorado

In Centennial, Colorado, employers must follow applicable city, state and federal wage and leave rules; the City of Centennial municipal code does not publish a separate minimum-wage ordinance, so most wage and sick-leave obligations arise from Colorado and federal law. For local code text and city contact information consult the official municipal code and city department pages. City of Centennial Municipal Code[1]

Overview

This article explains how minimum wage, tipped pay and sick-leave accrual commonly interact for employers and workers in Centennial, identifies the primary enforcement authorities, and lists practical steps to comply and to file complaints. For current state minimum-wage rates and wage-claim procedures consult the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Colorado minimum wage information[2]

Confirm the current state rate before adjusting payroll each year.

Minimum Wage & Tipped Pay

Centennial does not appear to have a separate municipal minimum-wage or tipped-pay ordinance in the municipal code; employers should apply applicable Colorado minimum-wage law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules on tip credit and tipped-cash wage. The U.S. Department of Labor explains the federal tipped minimum-cash wage and tip-credit rules. U.S. Department of Labor - FLSA overview[3]

  • Employer must pay at least the applicable state or federal minimum wage; if both apply, the higher wage governs.
  • Tipped employees: federal rules allow a lower cash wage with a tip credit when tips bring total to the required minimum; see the DOL guidance for the required cash wage and documentation.
  • Wage notices and pay-stub details: employers should post required notices and keep accurate payroll records per state and federal rules.
Tipped-cash wage rules are governed by federal FLSA where applicable and by state rules when they provide greater protection.

Sick Leave Accrual

If Centennial has not enacted a local paid-sick-leave ordinance, sick-leave accrual and use rules come from Colorado statutes and administrative rules where applicable; employers should review Colorado guidance on paid leave and local code references for any city-specific requirements. When a municipal ordinance is absent or silent, state law and employer policies determine accrual, carryover and use rules.

  • Accrual method: check state law and employer policy for hours-accrued-per-hours-worked calculations.
  • Documentation: employers should track accrual, usage, and carryover in payroll records.
  • Interaction with other leave: verify whether sick-leave runs concurrently with other protected leave under state or federal law.
If you rely on an employer policy instead of a municipal rule, confirm the policy meets state minimums and is written and applied consistently.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement for wage and hour and sick-leave issues affecting Centennial workers is primarily handled by Colorado and federal agencies when no city ordinance applies. Typical enforcement remedies can include orders for payment of back wages, civil penalties, and injunctive relief; specific fine amounts or schedules are not specified on the cited municipal pages and should be checked on the enforcing agency pages cited below.

  • Enforcers: Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (CDLE) for state wage claims; U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for federal FLSA violations.
  • Inspection and complaint pathways: workers may file wage claims or complaints with CDLE or the U.S. DOL; the city code office handles local licensing or business-registration compliance issues.
  • Fines and monetary remedies: amounts and per-day penalties are not specified on the cited Centennial municipal pages; see the state and federal enforcement pages for quantified penalty schedules.
  • Appeals and review: administrative orders typically allow appeal to an agency hearing or to state court within statutory time limits; specific time limits are set by the enforcing agency and are not specified on the cited city pages.
  • Common violations: unpaid overtime, improper tip-credit use, failure to pay state minimum wage, inaccurate records, and failure to provide or track sick-leave accrual.
If you receive a wage-claim notice, preserve payroll records and respond promptly to the agency investigator.

Applications & Forms

No Centennial-specific minimum-wage or sick-leave claim form is published in the municipal code; wage claims and complaints are usually filed with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics or with the U.S. Department of Labor where federal issues arise. For state wage-claim forms and submission instructions consult the CDLE website. CDLE Labor Standards[2]

Action Steps for Employers and Workers

  • Verify the current Colorado minimum wage and any local ordinances before payroll runs.
  • Post required state and federal workplace notices and keep accurate payroll and tip records.
  • Adopt or update written sick-leave policies that meet or exceed state minimums and communicate them to staff.
  • If a worker believes wages or leave were mishandled, file a claim with CDLE or contact the U.S. DOL for potential FLSA issues.

FAQ

Does Centennial have its own minimum wage ordinance?
No; the City of Centennial municipal code does not publish a separate minimum-wage ordinance and employers should follow Colorado and federal requirements. Current municipal text and references are in the municipal code. City of Centennial Municipal Code[1]
Where do I file a wage or sick-leave complaint?
File state wage or leave complaints with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics; federal FLSA complaints go to the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. CDLE Labor Standards[2]
What is the tipped-cash wage in Centennial?
Tipped-cash-wage rules follow federal and state law; under federal FLSA the cash wage for tipped employees can be as low as $2.13 per hour where the employer takes a tip credit, subject to conditions explained by the U.S. DOL. U.S. Department of Labor - FLSA overview[3]

How-To

  1. Confirm the current Colorado minimum-wage rate on the CDLE site and note the effective date.
  2. Review federal FLSA tip-credit rules for any tipped positions and ensure payroll records support claimed credits.
  3. Update payroll systems to reflect accrual and usage rules for sick leave that meet state minimums.
  4. Post notices, provide written policies to employees, and retain payroll and leave records for the period required by law.
  5. If a dispute arises, gather records and file a wage claim with CDLE or contact the U.S. DOL for federal issues.

Key Takeaways

  • Centennial relies on state and federal wage and leave law where no local ordinance exists.
  • Employers must keep clear payroll and sick-leave records to support compliance.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of Centennial Municipal Code
  2. [2] Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Minimum Wage and Labor Standards
  3. [3] U.S. Department of Labor - FLSA and Tip Credit Guidance

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