Denver / Aurora Per Diem Rate (FY2026)
Denver / Adams / Arapahoe / Jefferson · Colorado · Official U.S. GSA federal per diem
For fiscal year 2026, the GSA per diem rate for Denver / Aurora is $92/day for meals & incidental expenses (M&IE) and $165–$215/night for lodging depending on the month, compared with the standard $178/day CONUS rate ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE). Lodging peaks in April and is lowest in January.
A 4-night business trip to Denver / Aurora in April totals $1,274: $860 lodging (4 nights) + $414 M&IE (5 days, first & last day at 75%).
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Denver / Aurora lodging rate by month (FY2026)
Nightly lodging caps for Denver / Aurora. M&IE is flat at $92/day and does not change by month.
| Month | Lodging / night | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $165 | Low |
| Feb | $165 | Low |
| Mar | $165 | Low |
| Apr | $215 | Peak |
| May | $215 | Peak |
| Jun | $215 | Peak |
| Jul | $215 | Peak |
| Aug | $215 | Peak |
| Sep | $215 | Peak |
| Oct | $215 | Peak |
| Nov | $165 | Low |
| Dec | $165 | Low |
How does Denver / Aurora compare with other Colorado per diem areas?
Denver / Aurora ranks #6 of 15 Colorado non-standard per diem areas by peak lodging cap, at $215/night — $11 below the state's $226/night NSA average.
Lodging in Denver / Aurora swings 30% across the year — from $165/night in January to $215/night in April — so the same 4-night stay reimburses $200 more at the peak. M&IE stays flat at $92/day regardless of season.
Flexible on location? The next cheaper Colorado area is Montrose at $185/night peak, and the next step up is Silverthorne / Breckenridge at $282/night.
Book within the Denver / Aurora lodging cap
Otto finds hotels in Denver / Aurora at or under your $165–$215/night GSA lodging cap — and books them for you.
Denver / Aurora per diem FAQ
- What is the per diem rate for Denver / Aurora?
- For FY2026, the GSA per diem rate for Denver / Aurora, Colorado is $92 per day for meals and incidental expenses (M&IE) and $165–$215/night for lodging depending on the month. The standard CONUS rate, for comparison, is $178 per day ($110 lodging + $68 M&IE).
- What is the meal reimbursement (M&IE) rate in Denver / Aurora?
- $92 per day for FY2026: $23 breakfast, $26 lunch, $38 dinner and $5 incidentals. The first and last day of travel reimburse at 75%, or $69.
- Why does lodging per diem in Denver / Aurora change by month?
- GSA sets seasonal lodging caps for high-demand areas. In Denver / Aurora, lodging is highest in April at $215/night and lowest in January at $165/night. M&IE stays flat at $92/day all year.
- What is the tax-free travel nurse stipend cap in Denver / Aurora?
- Tax-free housing and meal stipends for travel nurses are capped at the GSA per diem for the assignment location. In Denver / Aurora the full daily cap is up to $307 (peak-month lodging + $92 M&IE). The portion above the GSA rate is taxable wages, and the stipend is only tax-free at all if you maintain a qualifying tax home.