Colorado Overtime Pay
Federal FLSA + state-specific daily/double-time rules.
Rules in Colorado
1.5× over 12 hrs/day, 40 hrs/week, or 12 consecutive hours regardless of start/end of day.
Overtime pay by hourly rate
| Regular rate | 1.5× (over 12h/day or 40h/wk) |
|---|---|
| $15.00/hr | $22.50/hr |
| $20.00/hr | $30.00/hr |
| $25.00/hr | $37.50/hr |
| $30.00/hr | $45.00/hr |
| $40.00/hr | $60.00/hr |
| $50.00/hr | $75.00/hr |
Example: 50-hour week at $25/hr in Colorado
- Regular 40h × $25 = $1000
- Overtime 10h × $37.50 (1.5×) = $375
- Total: $1375
Under FLSA-only, this same 50-hour week pays $1375. Colorado pays the same because daily-rule states still hit 40 weekly hours equally.
7th consecutive day premium in Colorado
Working a 7th day in a row triggers premium pay. Example for $25/hr working 12 hours on the 7th day:
- First 8h × $37.50 = $300
- Hours 9-12 × $50.00 = $200
- 7th day total: $450
Overtime rules in neighboring states
Cross-border employment, remote work for an in-Coloradoemployer based elsewhere: which set of rules applies? Usually employment law follows the work location, not the employer's headquarters.
| State | Daily OT | 2× threshold | 7th-day rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado (current) | 12h | - | Yes (premium) |
| Wyoming | FLSA only | - | No |
| Nebraska | FLSA only | - | No |
| Kansas | FLSA only | - | No |
| Oklahoma | FLSA only | - | No |
| New Mexico | FLSA only | - | No |
| Arizona | FLSA only | - | No |
| Utah | FLSA only | - | No |
Other states
Common questions
- Does Colorado have daily overtime?
- Yes. Colorado requires 1.5× pay after 12 hours in a workday for non-exempt employees, in addition to the federal weekly 40-hour rule.
- Who is exempt from overtime in Colorado?
- FLSA defines exempt employees as executive, administrative, professional, computer, and outside sales workers meeting both the duties test and a minimum salary threshold ($684/week federal in 2025, ~$35,568/year). Some states set higher state thresholds (e.g., CA $1,280/wk for white-collar; NY ~$1,200/wk in NYC). Independent contractors are not covered.
- What's the 7th-day rule in Colorado?
- Colorado requires premium pay for working a 7th consecutive day in a workweek (typically 1.5× for first 8 hours, then 2×). This is a state-specific protection above federal FLSA.
- How is overtime calculated for salaried employees in Colorado?
- Salaried non-exempt employees still earn overtime. Regular rate = (weekly salary) ÷ 40 (or actual hours worked under fluctuating workweek). Overtime = 0.5× regular rate for hours over 40 (under FLSA), or 1.5× under most state systems. Salaried exempt employees do not earn overtime regardless of hours.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Not legal advice. Overtime rules apply to non-exempt employees only. Exempt status depends on duties, salary level, and state-specific tests. Check with your state labor department or an employment attorney for your situation. Methodology →
Last reviewed: · Reviewed by R. Bennett, Editor · editorial policy