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Denver Labor Puts $1 Million Back into Workers’ Hands

My office works with both employers and employees to investigate and collaboratively resolve underpayments related to Denver’s wage laws. (Picture/ Auditor of Denver’s Office)

The Auditor at your service

Timothy M. O’Brien, CPA, Auditor of Denver

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This week, I have good news for Denver workers. My Denver Labor team has officially put more than $1 million back into the hands of employees who earned the city’s minimum wage or prevailing wage this year but were paid less than the law requires. This means that we are going to return a record amount of restitution to Denver’s workers this year.

So far in 2022, under the leadership of the Executive Director Jeff Garcia, Denver Labor has returned $1,055,655.57 to workers in Denver and additional restitution is pending. Some industries with high-risk of underpayments are restaurants, home care, valet parking, salons, national brand companies, and businesses along Denver’s borders.

For example, the most recent restitution case closed involved a valet company in Denver. Jeff Garcia’s minimum wage team proactively audited the company’s payrolls and found it was claiming a tip credit and paying some workers as low as $8.98 per hour.

My office recovers $500,000 for workers to start the year Auditor's Office Works for You

Denver Labor Puts $1 Million Back into Workers’ Hands

Once our analysts notified management of the error, they were very cooperative and paid their employees what they were owed. We recovered $73,595.10 in restitution for 98 employees.

Denver’s minimum wage in 2022 is $15.87 per hour and only businesses in the food and beverage industry can claim the tip credit of $3.02 per hour. The minimum wage rate will increase to $17.29 in 2023.

The Denver Labor team also audits prevailing wage payrolls on all city projects and assess restitution for underpayments.

My office works with both employers and employees to investigate and collaboratively resolve underpayments related to Denver’s wage laws. We prioritize educating employers about the law and workers about their rights.

I encourage you to read more restitution stories and learn about Denver’s wage laws on our website DenverWages.org. We also offer business resources — including a map of Denver where employers can check to see if the citywide minimum wage applies to their employees.