Colorado Overtime Calculator
Colorado is unusual: overtime is triggered by 40 hours in a week, 12 hours in a day, or 12 consecutive hours — and you get whichever calculation pays you more. This calculator checks all three.
Colorado overtime calculator — enter your hours
Gross pay for the week
$1,100.00
50 hours worked across 5 days
Quick answer: In Colorado you get 1.5× for hours over 12 in a workday, hours over 12 consecutive hours, or hours over 40 in a workweek — whichever produces the highest pay. Double time applies after 12 hours on the 7th consecutive day.
Colorado overtime rules (COMPS Order #39)
The Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order sets a three-way test:
- Over 40 hours in a workweek — 1.5×.
- Over 12 hours in a single workday — 1.5×.
- Over 12 consecutive hours, regardless of the calendar day — 1.5×.
- 7th consecutive day: 1.5× for the first 12 hours, then 2× beyond that in most covered settings.
Crucially, an employer must calculate all applicable methods and pay the one that gives the employee the most. A 14-hour shift stays under 40 hours for the week, but still earns two hours of overtime.
Colorado also allows a 4/10 alternative workweek with a 12-hour daily threshold, and has tighter rules for retail, food service and healthcare than the federal standard, along with daily rest-break requirements.
Colorado minimum wage in 2026
Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16/hour for 2026, indexed annually to inflation. Denver sets its own, higher local rate — check the Denver Auditor's figure if you work inside the city, because it is materially above the state floor.
What an overtime week looks like in Colorado
| Daily hours | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Weekly pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hours worked | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 0 | — |
Colorado's daily threshold is 12 hours, so 10-hour shifts are straight time. The overtime in this week comes from the 40-hour weekly rule.
Worked examples
| Scenario | Rate | Week | Gross pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five 10-hour days | $20.00/hr | 50 h | $1,100.00 |
| Four 10-hour days (4/10 schedule) | $20.00/hr | 40 h | $800.00 |
| One 14-hour shift + four 8-hour days | $20.00/hr | 46 h | $980.00 |
| Six 8-hour days | $20.00/hr | 48 h | $1,040.00 |
Who is entitled to overtime in Colorado?
Colorado's exemption tests are stricter than federal: an exempt employee must meet the duties test and be paid at least the state salary threshold, which rises annually with the minimum wage. Colorado also applies the duties test strictly to assistant managers and 'working supervisors', and requires written notice of exempt status to the employee.
If you were classified exempt without written notice, or your salary sits near the threshold, it is worth checking your status — Colorado's Division of Labor Standards enforces this and accepts worker complaints directly.
Frequently asked questions
Does Colorado pay overtime after 8 hours?
No. Colorado's daily threshold is 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours, not 8.
Is overtime after 40 hours in Colorado?
Yes, 1.5× for hours over 40 in a workweek — in addition to the daily rules, with the higher amount payable.
What is the Colorado minimum wage in 2026?
$15.16 per hour, indexed to inflation each January. Denver's local minimum wage is higher.
Does Colorado require double time?
Only in narrow circumstances, such as hours beyond 12 on the 7th consecutive workday.
How much is overtime on $20 an hour in Colorado?
$30 per hour at time and a half.
Can my Colorado employer average hours over two weeks?
Not to avoid overtime. Overtime is calculated per workweek; averaging across weeks requires a valid alternative workweek arrangement.