Colorado overtime rules
Under the state's overtime and minimum pay rules (the COMPS Order), non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours:
- over 40 in a workweek,
- over 12 in a workday, or
- over 12 consecutive hours, even when the shift crosses from one workday into the next.
Whichever count gives more overtime is the one that applies. There is no double time.
How to enter a long shift
The calculator counts overtime over 12 hours per day. If one shift runs past midnight into the next workday, enter the whole shift on one day so the 12 consecutive hours rule is counted.
Example
$22 an hour, three 13 hour days (39 hours). Each day has 1 overtime hour, so the week has 36 regular hours ($792) and 3 overtime hours at $33 ($99): $891. Under the federal weekly rule the same 39 hours would have no overtime at all.
Where to ask
The Division of Labor Standards and Statistics of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment handles overtime questions and wage complaints.
Other states
California, Alaska, Nevada, Texas, Florida, New York, or the federal overtime calculator. This calculator is a helper, not legal advice: rules have exceptions, so check your employer's policy and the state labor department.
Questions
Does Colorado pay overtime after 8 hours?
No. Colorado's daily overtime starts after 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours. Weekly overtime starts after 40 hours.
What if my 12 hour shift crosses midnight?
Colorado also counts 12 consecutive hours, regardless of where the workday starts, so a long shift across midnight still earns overtime after 12 hours.