Colorado Overtime Calculator
Colorado requires overtime (1.5x) after 12 hours per workday or after 40 hours per workweek, whichever yields the greater pay for the employee under COMPS Order #40.
Colorado Statutory Rule Engine Coverage
Dedicated State Engine: Colorado overtime calculations apply Colorado COMPS Order #40 Rule 4.1 "greater-of" standard (12 hours per workday and 40 hours per workweek). Continuous overnight shifts crossing midnight are subject to input limitations in 24-hour day-entry grids and must be verified against actual shift logs.
Official Labor Authority: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Calculate Overtime for Colorado
Preselected jurisdiction: Colorado (CO). Enter your pay rate, classification, and shifts below.
1. Select Work Jurisdiction
Delineating dedicated state statutory engines (CA, CO, NY) from federal FLSA baseline coverage.
Colorado: Dedicated CO Engine (Daily 12h / Weekly 40h)
Dedicated State Engine: 1.5x after 12 hrs/workday, 12 consecutive hours, or 40 hrs/workweek (whichever yields greater pay under COMPS Order #40).
2. Select Occupation & Industry
Specialized wage orders or alternative work schedules (e.g., Healthcare 8/80, Hospitality spread-of-hours) apply to specific roles.
General Non-Exempt Employee
Hourly or non-exempt salaried employees entitled to statutory overtime under federal and state rules.
How Overtime Works in Colorado
Statutory thresholds, daily and weekly hours breakdown, and compensation rates.
Daily Overtime Rule
1.5× regular rate for hours worked over 12 in any single designated workday under COMPS Order #40 Rule 4.1.
Weekly Overtime (40h)
1.5× regular rate for hours worked over 40 in an employer workweek.
Exempt Salary Threshold
$1,111.23/week ($57,784/year)
Colorado CDLE PAY CALC Order 2026 / COMPS Order #40 Rule 2.5 ($1,111.23/week; $57,784.00/year).
Colorado 52-Hour Workweek (4 Days × 13 Hours)
Step-by-Step Calculation Breakdown
- Daily 12h Threshold: 4 days × 1 hour daily OT = 4.0 daily overtime hours ($150.00 OT pay)
- Weekly 40h Threshold: 52 total hours − 40 regular hours = 12.0 weekly overtime hours ($450.00 OT pay)
- COMPS Order #40 Greater-Of Comparison: Weekly calculation ($450.00) exceeds daily calculation ($150.00)
- Applied Calculation: 40.0 regular hours ($1000.00) + 12.0 overtime hours ($450.00) = $1450.00 gross pay
- Effective Hourly Rate: $1450.00 ÷ 52 hours = $27.88/hour
Statutory Basis & Legal Authorities
Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order #40), Rule 4.1; CDLE PAY CALC Order 2026 Rule 2.5
Colorado COMPS Order #40 (7 CCR 1103-1); CDLE PAY CALC Order 2026Important Scope Limitations
Known Engine Limitation & Scope Notice: This Colorado calculator evaluates overtime under COMPS Order #40 Rule 4.1 comparing daily 12-hour workday hours and weekly 40-hour workweek totals. The engine has a known limitation regarding continuous overnight shifts exceeding 12 consecutive hours that span midnight into a new calendar workday: because daily inputs are entered as totals per day, multi-day continuous shifts must be verified against detailed clock-in/out records. Agricultural workers and certain specialized exemptions follow separate CDLE orders.
Calculations provided by this website are for educational and estimation purposes only and do not constitute legal or payroll advice.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colorado Overtime
Direct legal and practical answers regarding overtime rules in Colorado.
How is overtime calculated in Colorado?
Colorado calculates overtime at 1.5× the employee regular rate for hours worked over 12 in a workday or over 40 hours in a workweek. Under COMPS Order #40, the employee receives whichever threshold yields the highest total pay.
How does the calculator handle the Colorado 12-consecutive-hour overnight rule?
Under Colorado COMPS Order #40 Rule 4.1, overtime is owed after 12 consecutive hours without regard to workday boundaries. However, because this calculator collects daily hour totals per calendar day, overnight shifts that cross midnight into a second day cannot automatically detect uninterrupted consecutive duration. For overnight shifts crossing midnight, users should verify consecutive hours against actual shift start and finish times.
What is the Colorado exempt salary threshold for 2026?
For 2026, the Colorado exempt salary threshold is $1,111.23 per week ($57,784 annually) under CDLE PAY CALC Order 2026 and COMPS Order #40 Rule 2.5.
Does Colorado have a daily overtime rule?
Yes. Colorado is one of few states with daily overtime, requiring time and a half after 12 hours worked in a workday, as well as after 12 consecutive hours spanning workdays.
Related Overtime Resources & Jurisdictions
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