From the bustling business hub of Denver to the tech centers in Boulder and the world-renowned mountain resorts of Vail and Aspen, Colorado is a major destination for corporate and official travel. Managing expenses in a state with such varied and often high costs requires a clear and compliant per diem policy.
Per diem, a daily allowance for lodging, meals,and incidental expenses, is the federal standard and a best practice for private businesses. This guide will provide a detailed overview of Colorado's per diem rates, crucial state laws that mandate expense reimbursement,
Colorado Per Diem Rates
Per diem rates for official travel in Colorado are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These rates vary significantly across the state to reflect the different costs of lodging and meals, especially between the Front Range cities and the mountain resort communities.
For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates are broken down as follows:
Major Metro Areas
Colorado's main business and population centers have specific, seasonal rates.
- Denver / Aurora (Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, & Jefferson Counties):
- M&IE: $92 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with rates of $215 (Oct, Apr-Sep) and $165 (Nov-Mar).
- The first and last day of travel M&IE rate is $69.00.
- Boulder (Boulder & Broomfield Counties):
- M&IE: $80 per day
- Lodging: Seasonal, with rates of $173 (Oct, Apr-Sep) and $125 (Nov-Mar).
Tourist and High-Cost Areas
The world-renowned mountain resorts have some of the highest and most seasonal per diem rates in the country.
- Vail (Eagle County):
- M&IE: $92 per day
- Lodging: Highly seasonal, with a peak rate of $397 per night (December-March) and an off-season rate of $201.
- Aspen (Pitkin County):
- M&IE: $92 per day
- Lodging: Highly seasonal, with a peak rate of $407 per night (December-March) and an off-season rate of $207.
Standard CONUS Rate
For any county in Colorado not specifically listed as a Non-Standard Area (NSA), the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).
Colorado Per Diem Rate Calculator
To find the precise per diem allowance for your trip anywhere in Colorado, our calculator provides instant, accurate results based on the official GSA schedule.