Total Articles: 5
Colorado's Minimum Wage Increases 3.8%, to $7.64 Per Hour
Effective January 1, 2012, Colorado's minimum wage increased by $0.28, from $7.36 per hour to $7.64 per hour (for tipped employees, from $4.34 to $4.62). This is $0.39 more than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Colorado -- New Minimum Wage To Go Into Effect
On January 1, 2012 Colorado employers in a variety of industries will face an increase in the minimum wage. The 2012 minimum will be $7.64 (up from the 2011 rate of $7.36) and will affect employers in the retail and service, food and beverage, commercial support service, and health and medical industries.
Colorado Latest to Join U.S. DOL to Reduce Worker Misclassification
On December 5, 2011, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Wage and Hour Division signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the improper classification of employees as independent contractors.
Colorado Says "Yes" to Increased Minimum Wage Proposal
As previously discussed, Colorado proposed increasing its minimum wage rate for 2012. On December 9, 2011, after holding hearings and soliciting comments on the proposed increase, the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment announced the minimum wage rate employees must be paid, effective January 1, 2012: the minimum wage increases 28 cents per hour, from $7.36 to $7.64 per hour; the rate paid to tipped employees also increases 28 cents per hour, from $4.34 to $4.62 per hour.
New Colorado Law Clamps Down on Employers Who Misclassify Workers.
On June 2, 2009, Governor Ritter signed into law H.B. 1310 paving the way for any person to file complaints with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment ("CDOLE") asserting that an employer has improperly classified an employee as an independent contractor. The new law became effective immediately and imposes a fine of $5,000 per misclassified employee, which could jump to $25,000 for a second or subsequent offense. Additionally, repeat offenders could be barred from contracting with the state for up to two years.
