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Colorado · Operating Engineer · 8 counties
Operating Engineer prevailing wage, Otero County group, Colorado (8 counties)
DOL sets the same operating engineer rates, row for row, in 8 counties: Baca, Bent, Costilla, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers. Every figure on this page applies in each of them.
$13.41an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum) · BACKHOE
$13.41 base wage + $0.00 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE · SUCO2001-008
$50.78an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$35.58 base wage + $15.20 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6)-CRANE (91-140 TONS) · ENGI0009-014
$19.51an hour, base wage + fringe benefits (our sum)
$15.93 base wage + $3.58 fringe benefits
POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE) · SUCO2001-005
On federally funded or assisted building construction in each of these 8 counties, an operating engineer working as backhoe must be paid at least $13.41 an hour: a $13.41 base wage plus $0.00 in fringe benefits, under wage determination CO20260001 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $13.41 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination CO20260001, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for building construction; rate identifier SUCO2001-008 (December 20, 2001). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted highway construction in each of these 8 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $50.78 an hour: a $35.58 base wage plus $15.20 in fringe benefits, under wage determination CO20260010 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $50.78 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination CO20260010, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for highway construction; rate identifier ENGI0009-014 (May 1, 2024). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
On federally funded or assisted heavy construction in each of these 8 counties, an operating engineer must be paid at least $19.51 an hour: a $15.93 base wage plus $3.58 in fringe benefits, under wage determination CO20260003 (modification 1). DOL prints no total, so $19.51 is our sum of the two.
Wage determination CO20260003, modification 1, published May 18, 2026, for heavy construction; rate identifier SUCO2001-005 (December 20, 2001). Checked against sam.gov on October 25, 2026.
Colorado's state rule uses these same Davis-Bacon determinations for state-agency projects of $500,000 or more that have no federal money (CDOT contracts excluded), with no separate survey (SB19-196, C.R.S. 24-92-205). The City of Denver publishes its own schedules for its own projects, on the City of Denver page.
DOL lists 36 operating engineer rates for each of these counties, from $13.41 to $50.78 an hour. See all of them.
- This base is below $13.65, the Executive Order 13658 minimum. Contracts that order covers must pay at least that (see the WD's note).
Base wage and fringe benefits: $13.41 + $0.00
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $13.41 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $13.41 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $35.58 + $15.20
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $35.58 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $15.20 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $50.78 |
Base wage and fringe benefits: $15.93 + $3.58
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. DOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $15.93 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $3.58 |
| Base + fringe benefits (our sum; DOL prints no total) | $19.51 |
When does this rate change?
- A contract keeps the wage determination in its bid documents. Modifications published before bid opening apply to it, though one published less than 10 days before can be left out if the agency finds there isn't time to tell bidders (29 CFR 1.6(c)).
- DOL changes a WD by publishing a numbered modification on SAM.gov. This page reads the modification named in the Source line; the Colorado change log lists what each one changed.
Every operating engineer rate in the Otero County group
As DOL lists them. The highlighted row is the one this page leads with.
| Classification | Base wage | Fringe benefits | Total rate | WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOEBuildingSUCO2001-008 | $13.41 | $0.00 | $13.41 | CO20260001 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (6)-CRANE (91-140 TONS)HighwayENGI0009-014 | $35.58 | $15.20 | $50.78 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (5)-DRILL RIG CAISSON (WATSON 2500 SIMILAR OR LARGER), CRANE (51-90 TONS)HighwayENGI0009-014 | $35.41 | $15.20 | $50.61 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (4)-CRANE (50 TONS AND UNDER)HighwayENGI0009-014 | $35.20 | $15.20 | $50.40 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (3)- DRILL RIG CAISSON (SMALLER THAN WATSON 2500 AND SIMILAR), POWER BROOM/SWEEPER (70 HP AND OVER)HighwayENGI0009-014 | $35.03 | $15.20 | $50.23 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (1)-POWER BROOM/SWEEPER(UNDER 70 HP)HighwayENGI0009-014 | $34.14 | $15.20 | $49.34 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: TRACTORHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $16.83 | $2.95 | $19.78 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCREEDHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $16.21 | $3.76 | $19.97 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: SCRAPERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $19.93 | $5.38 | $25.31 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ROLLER COMPACTOR (DIRT AND GRADE COMPACTION)HighwaySUCO2011-005 | $17.78 | $2.83 | $20.61 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: MECHANICHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $18.91 | $4.20 | $23.11 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: LOADER (FRONT END) (BACA, BENT, COSTILLA, CROWLEY, HUERFANO, KIOWA, OTERO, PROWERS)HighwaySUCO2011-005 | $23.58 | $6.66 | $30.24 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: GRADER/BLADE (BACA, BENT, COSTILLA, CROWLEY, HUERFANO, KIOWA, OTERO, PROWERS)HighwaySUCO2011-005 | $18.40 | $4.20 | $22.60 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: FORKLIFTHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $18.30 | $5.01 | $23.31 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: DRILLHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $20.49 | $2.66 | $23.15 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: CHIPPERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $22.04 | $8.26 | $30.30 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BULLDOZERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $26.65 | $4.46 | $31.11 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BOBCAT/SKID LOADERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $18.43 | $3.12 | $21.55 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: BACKHOE/TRACKHOE (BACA, BENT, COSTILLA, CROWLEY, HUERFANO, KIOWA, OTERO, PROWERS)HighwaySUCO2011-005 | $23.19 | $4.18 | $27.37 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT SPREADERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $23.19 | $7.66 | $30.85 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT ROLLERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $23.14 | $7.51 | $30.65 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT PLANTHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $21.13 | $2.16 | $23.29 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT PAVERHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $22.67 | $8.72 | $31.39 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: ASPHALT LAYDOWNHighwaySUCO2011-005 | $24.17 | $6.73 | $30.90 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATOR: (OILER)HighwaySUCO2011-005 | $22.54 | $9.22 | $31.76 | CO20260010 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: TRACKHOEHeavyENGI0009-004 | $35.20 | $15.20 | $50.40 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED, RUBBER TIRES UNDER 5 TONSHeavyENGI0009-004 | $34.58 | $15.20 | $49.78 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: ROLLER: SELF-PROPELLED, ALL TYPES OVER 5 TONSHeavyENGI0009-004 | $35.03 | $15.20 | $50.23 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-ROUGHHeavyENGI0009-004 | $35.03 | $15.20 | $50.23 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MOTOR GRADER: BLADE-FINISHHeavyENGI0009-004 | $35.58 | $15.20 | $50.78 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: MECHANICHeavyENGI0009-004 | $35.58 | $15.20 | $50.78 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: FRONT END LOADERHeavySUCO2001-005 | $15.86 | $3.59 | $19.45 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BULLDOZERHeavySUCO2001-005 | $15.08 | $4.44 | $19.52 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BOBCAT/SKID LOADERHeavySUCO2001-005 | $20.22 | $4.41 | $24.63 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (EXCAVATOR)HeavySUCO2001-005 | $15.39 | $0.00 | $15.39 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
| POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: (BACKHOE)HeavySUCO2001-005 | $15.93 | $3.58 | $19.51 | CO20260003 Mod 1 |
How the Otero County group compares
The main operating engineer rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in Colorado
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Otero County groupbase $13.41$13.41
- Crowley Countybase $13.41$13.41
- Bent Countybase $13.41$13.41
- Pueblo Countybase $20.26$28.88
Which county is in which operating engineer group
Every Colorado county with a operating engineer rate. Counties DOL treats alike share one page; the rest have their own.
| Counties | Main classification | Base wage | Total rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Denver schedules | Power Equipment Operator: Group 1 | $22.97 | $33.57 |
| El Paso County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.26 | $28.88 |
| Pueblo County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.26 | $28.88 |
| Teller County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.26 | $28.88 |
| Elbert County group, 2 localities: Elbert, Gilpin | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Adams County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Arapahoe County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Boulder County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Broomfield County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Clear Creek County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Denver County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Douglas County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Jefferson County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Larimer County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Mesa County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Park County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Weld County | OPERATOR: BACKHOE/EXCAVATOR/TRACKHOE | $20.78 | $26.56 |
| Montrose County group, 13 localities: Archuleta, Chaffee, Conejos, Custer, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray, Rio Grande, Saguache, San Juan | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Otero County group, 8 localities: Baca, Bent, Costilla, Crowley, Huerfano, Kiowa, Otero, Prowers | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Morgan County group, 7 localities: Cheyenne, Lincoln, Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Washington, Yuma | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Lake County group, 2 localities: Jackson, Lake | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Alamosa County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Eagle County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Fremont County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Garfield County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Grand County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Kit Carson County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| La Plata County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Las Animas County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Mineral County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Moffat County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Montezuma County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Pitkin County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Rio Blanco County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Routt County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| San Miguel County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Sedgwick County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
| Summit County | POWER EQUIPMENT OPERATORS: BACKHOE | $13.41 | $13.41 |
5 groups of counties with identical DOL rates, and 33 counties with rates of their own.
Colorado operating engineer prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from DOL on this rate
- SAM.gov wage determinations
- Davis-Bacon determinations list journeyworker rates. Apprentices in a program registered with DOL or a recognized state agency can be paid the program's percentage of the rate, within its ratio; anyone else gets the full rate (29 CFR 5.5(a)(4)).
Every trade's rates, county by county: Baca · Bent · Costilla · Crowley · Huerfano · Kiowa · Otero · Prowers
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your base pay to the fringe your employer pays for you, in cash or into plans, and compare the sum with the total. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints: 1-866-487-9243, or dol.gov/agencies/whd/contact/complaints.
Source
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (DOL), Davis-Bacon wage determinations on SAM.gov, as of October 25, 2026. For the row this page leads with:
- Baca: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Bent: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Costilla: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Crowley: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Huerfano: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Kiowa: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Otero: CO20260001 Mod 1
- Prowers: CO20260001 Mod 1
We read every active Colorado Davis-Bacon wage determination from SAM.gov's own data and check every number with a second, independent read of the same file. DOL prints no total; ours is base plus fringe. The City of Denver rows are copied from Denver Labor's own schedules. How we check · Download every Colorado rate as CSV · Report an error