Denver Labor has set a new precedent in wage theft recovery, obtaining a staggering $2.31 million in restitution for workers. The agency's efforts in the 2025 reporting year culminated in assisting 7,200 individuals, a substantial increase from the previous year, indicating a significant push against wage violations, as stated by the Denver Auditor's Office.
As Denver Auditor Timothy M. O'Brien remarked on the city's investment in the department, "Wage theft is an ongoing problem in Denver. The more resources we have, the more money we recover for workers and the more people we can help," according to the Denver Auditor's Office. Despite the burgeoning caseload, the division managed to close 859 cases, growing the number of workers helped by 60% compared to the previous year.
Common issues such as unpaid wages spanning minimum wage, overtime, and sick leave, among others, were rampant across many industries. One notable example was a steakhouse where 44 workers were paid below the minimum wage, culminating in a $70,010.71 settlement. Additionally, a real estate firm and a nail salon were also cited for paycheck shortages, compensating workers $28,803.09 and $27,794, respectively, as reported by Denver Labor.
Misclassification of workers as independent contractors was another critical area addressed by Denver Labor. Involving companies like Veryable and Qwick, where, respectively, 1,467 workers were misclassified as independent contractors, had sick leave violations, or were otherwise underpaid for their work, and similar wage theft affected 849 workers, Executive Director Matthew Fritz-Mauer emphasized the commitment to those who might fear speaking up. "We are committed to helping everyone. Especially those who may otherwise remain silent because they fear retaliation or are not able to speak up for themselves," he said on Denver's Labor Denver Auditor's Office.
Addressing the underlying issues involves not only enforcement but also an educational approach to ensure employers are well versed in wage laws, aiming to smooth out unintentional discrepancies. Fritz-Mauer adds, "Most businesses want to do right by their employees. Mistakes do happen. But it’s important we also support these honest businesses by making sure dishonest competitors are not undercutting them by violating the law," as the Denver Auditor's Office detailed. Research from Rutgers University's Workplace Justice Lab, commissioned in 2024, forecasts the wage theft problem in Denver to persist into 2026, underscoring the need for ongoing wage accountability.
