Colorado Labor Laws: An Employer's Overview

Overtime

Colorado requires overtime after 40 hours a week and adds daily overtime rules — so long single days can owe premium pay even in a short week.

Minimum Wage

Colorado sets a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 and updates it periodically — confirm the current figure before running payroll.

Breaks

Colorado requires meal breaks for longer shifts and paid rest breaks.

Paid Sick Leave & Final Pay

Colorado mandates paid sick leave. Final-paycheck timing is state-specific — see the dedicated guides linked below for details, and always confirm against the official source.

Colorado Labor-Law Snapshot

A quick Colorado snapshot: the minimum wage is $15.16/hour (about $7.91 above the federal $7.25) (higher in Denver), overtime is about $22.74/hour, Colorado mandates paid sick leave (typically ~1 hour earned per 30 worked), and a final paycheck is due immediately (or within 24 hours of the payroll office reopening) on discharge.

For Colorado employers these rules interact with timekeeping: accurate, audit-logged hours drive overtime, sick-leave accrual, final pay, and break records. Colorado requires meal breaks on longer shifts and requires paid rest breaks; a final paycheck is due by the next regular payday when an employee resigns. Confirm current Colorado figures with the state labor office before relying on any single number.

Official Sources

• U.S. DOL — Minimum wage by state
• U.S. DOL — State overtime
• U.S. DOL — State labor offices

More Colorado Guides

Labor Law Overview in Other States

Colorado Labor Law Overview: Frequently Asked Questions