Denver Per Diem Calculator and Rates

Calculate Denver's per diem rate based on GSA guidelines to simplify your business travels.

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Denver is a premier destination for business travel, hosting major conferences and serving key industries from technology to aerospace. For any organization with employees traveling to Denver, having a clear and compliant per diem policy is a critical component of effective financial management.

This guide is designed to provide clarity on travel expenses in Denver. We will cover the official GSA per diem rates, explain the laws that govern employee reimbursement in Colorado, and show you how to streamline the entire process.

Denver Per Diem Rate

Per diem rates for official travel in Denver are set by the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). These federal rates are mandatory for federal employees and serve as a common benchmark for private sector companies looking to create an IRS-compliant reimbursement policy.

For Fiscal Year 2025 (October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025), key rates for the Denver area are broken down as follows:

Denver Metro Area

The core counties of the Denver metro area have specific Non-Standard Area (NSA) rates with significant seasonal variations.

  • Denver / Aurora (Denver, Adams, Arapahoe, & Jefferson Counties):
    • M&IE: $92 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a peak rate of $215 per night (Oct, Apr-Sep) and a rate of $165 per night for all other months.
  • Boulder / Broomfield (Boulder & Broomfield Counties):
    • M&IE: $80 per day
    • Lodging: Seasonal, with a rate of $173 per night (Oct, May-Sep) and a rate of $125 per night for all other months.

The first and last day of travel, the M&IE rate is $69.00 for the Denver/Aurora area and $60.00 for Boulder/Broomfield.

Standard CONUS Rate

For any county in Colorado not specifically listed by the GSA, the standard CONUS rate applies. For FY 2025, this rate is $178 ($110 for lodging and $68 for M&IE).

Denver Per Diem Rate Calculator

Find the exact per diem allowance for your business trip to Denver with our easy-to-use calculator. Select the fiscal year, choose your destination, and input your travel dates. The tool will instantly provide the correct lodging and M&IE rates based on the official GSA schedule.

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Your per diem allowance

Dates
Lodging (L)
Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
Total (L + M&IE)
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Lodging (L)
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Meals & Incidentals (M&IE)
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Total (L + M&IE)
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*For the first and last day of travel, M&lE spend is limited to 75% of its normal, daily allowance.

Denver GSA Lodging Rates

Financial year
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County
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Denver Meals and Incidental Rates

Financial year
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County
Daily M&IE Total
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Some Important Denver Per Diem Laws

For private employers in Colorado, state law provides strong protections for employee wages, making a clear reimbursement policy essential.

  • The Role of Company Policy and Wage Protection: While Colorado law does not have a single statute requiring all private employers to reimburse all business expenses, the Colorado Wage Act strictly limits deductions from employee wages. This means an employer cannot force an employee to pay for business travel costs if it reduces their pay, making reimbursement a practical necessity.
  • Colorado's State Employee Travel Regulations: The State of Colorado has its own detailed travel regulations for its public employees. This policy sets specific reimbursement rates and rules for lodging and meals that are separate from, but often based on, the GSA per diem system.

Denver Per Diem Laws vs Federal Law

It's important to understand the distinction between the federal GSA system and Colorado's state law.

Primary Applicability

  • Federal Law (GSA): Mandatory for all U.S. federal government employees on official business in Denver. It is also the most common standard used by private businesses for an IRS-compliant accountable plan.
  • Colorado State Law: Does not mandate a specific reimbursement system for private employers but provides strong wage protections. The primary legal considerations are the employer's own policies and the state's minimum wage laws.

Rate Setting and Usage

  • Federal Law (GSA): Sets specific, non-negotiable per diem rates for Denver that federal agencies must use.
  • Colorado State Law: Does not set or regulate per diem rates for private companies. Businesses are free to set their own reimbursement rates or policies, though using GSA rates is a common best practice.

Legal Focus

  • Federal Law (GSA): Aims to create a uniform, cost-controlled system for federal travel.
  • Colorado State Law: Aims to protect employee wages and relies on the agreements made between an employer and employee, holding businesses accountable to their own written policies.

How Fyle Can Automate Per Diem and Expense Tracking

Managing business travel in a major hub like Denver, with its seasonal rate changes and diverse industries, requires a smart, efficient system. Fyle's expense management software automates your entire travel and expense process, giving you powerful control and saving your team valuable time.

Here’s how Fyle streamlines your Denver travel expense management:

  • An Automated Policy Engine for Complex City Rates: Build your specific company travel rules directly into Fyle, including the seasonal GSA rates for Denver. Fyle automatically checks every submitted expense, preventing out-of-policy spend and ensuring compliance without manual review.
  • One-Click Expense Reporting for Traveling Employees: Your team can capture and submit expense receipts the moment a transaction happens. A quick text or a photo via text is all it takes to create a fully documented record, eliminating the need for paper receipts.
  • Simplified Corporate Card Reconciliation: For companies using corporate cards, Fyle offers direct integration with Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. It provides real-time transaction feeds and helps employees reconcile their spending instantly, ending the monthly hassle of matching statements to receipts.
  • Accurate Mileage Tracking for Every Business Trip: Fyle’s integrated Google Maps mileage tracker provides a simple and IRS-compliant way for employees to log vehicle mileage, perfect for travel around the Denver metro area and beyond.
  • A Faster, More Accurate Financial Close: Fyle integrates seamlessly with leading accounting software like Sage, NetSuite, QuickBooks, and Xero. All approved expense data flows straight to your general ledger, eliminating hours of manual data entry and ensuring a faster, more accurate monthly close.

With Fyle, you can manage your Denver travel expenses with confidence, providing a modern, hassle-free experience for your employees while maintaining perfect financial control.

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The content on this page is for informational use. As legal standards and per diem rates are subject to change, users should verify current details with official GSA or government resources. This information does not serve as financial or legal counsel.