Base Wage Dashboard Base Wage Qualifying Services
Effective January 1, 2025, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC) approved a $17.00 per hour Base Wage requirement for all direct care workers in Colorado’s HCBS settings. In addition, the base wage requirement was increased to $18.81 per hour in Denver.
View the following HCPF memo communications which outline this requirement and process:
- Informational Memo IM 24-022 - Claim Holds for HCBS Providers Who Haven’t Submitted the 2024 Base Wage Attestation Form - September 11, 2024
- Informational Memo IM 24-020 - HCBS 2024 Base Wage Compliance Reminder - August 7, 2024
- Operational Memo OM 24-033 - HCBS 2024 Direct Care Worker Base Wage Attestation - July 3, 2024
- Operational Memo OM 24-032 - HCBS Base Wage Rate Increase and Compliance Process 2024 - July 3, 2024
Learn more about the rights and responsibilities in the direct care industry
Learn more about Colorado's labor standards and minimum wage
Base Wage Qualifying Services
Direct Care Workers are defined as non-administrative employees or independent contractors of a Provider Agency or Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS) employer who provides hands-on care, services, and support to older adults and individuals with disabilities across the long-term services and supports continuum within home and community-based settings. Services requiring Direct Care Workers to be paid at least the base wage include:
- Adult Day Services
- Alternative Care Facility (ACF)
- Community Connector
- Consumer Directed Attendant Support Services (CDASS)
- Foster Care Home (Children’s Habilitation Residential Program)
- Group Home Habilitation (CHRP)
- Group Residential Support Services (GRSS)
- Homemaker
- Homemaker Enhanced
- Host Home (CHRP)
- In-Home Support Services (IHSS)
- Individual Residential Support Services (IRSS)
- Job Coaching
- Job Development
- Mental Health Transitional Living Homes
- Mentorship
- Pediatric Personal Care
- Personal Care
- Prevocational Services
- Respite
- Specialized Habilitation
- Supported Community Connections
- Supported Living Program
In the event that a Direct Care Worker, based on state or local minimum wage laws, is eligible for a minimum wage that exceeds the base wage requirement, the Provider is required to compensate at the higher wage. If a Direct Care Worker is eligible for a per diem wage, the Provider must increase the Direct Care Worker’s per diem wage by the percent of HCPF’s reimbursement rate increase. HCPF may add additional qualifying services that are applicable to this rule and not listed above.