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Denver Labor recovers unpaid wages for workers

Denver worker receives check with the amount recovered from his salary. (Photo/Denver Auditor’s Office)

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

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We have just celebrated Labor Day. What better opportunity to explain Denver Labor’s role in the Auditor’s Office. Led by Executive Director Jeffrey Garcia, the Denver Labor division enforces the wage laws of the City and County of Denver: prevailing wage and minimum wage, which is currently set at $15.87 per hour. Denver Labor recovers unpaid wages for workers

Their goal is to ensure that everyone receives a legal wage, but sometimes employers make infractions. That’s where Denver Labor steps in to educate businesses and ensure workers get the money they’re owed. So far this year, they have already recovered almost $1 million for employees who were paid less than what’s required by law.

Jeffrey Garcia’s team can initiate a wage investigation based on complaints received. For example, Denver Labor found that a janitorial company cleaning a college campus in Denver failed to pay the minimum wage. After contacting the employer and educating him about the minimum wage, the company raised all workers’ hourly rates, and 25 employees received $32,089 in restitution.

Denver Labor recovers unpaid wages for workers

Since 2022, the law also allows us to conduct investigations in industries and areas of high risk without receiving a wage complaint. We recently found that a valet parking company was claiming a tip credit that can only be applied in the food and beverage industry. After notifying the company of the mistake, they raised wages and returned $38,895.97 to 49 employees.

These examples show how Jeffrey Garcia and his team deliver results to the community. Our analysts have also recovered unpaid wages for employees in marijuana dispensaries, beauty salons, restaurants and cafes, and retail stores, among others.

If you believe you are not being paid Denver’s minimum wage or know someone making less than $15.87, please contact us. We do not ask for information about immigration status and do our best to protect the confidentiality of the complainants’ information. Our mission is to serve the entire community so that you can receive a legal salary for your hard work.