Colorado overtime calculator
Colorado overtime calculator
Colorado pays overtime at 1.5脳 after 40 hours in a week, after 12 hours in a workday, or after 12 consecutive hours, whichever gives you more overtime.
Enter your hourly rate and the hours you worked each day of one workweek to see regular, overtime pay.
Last reviewed October 2026
Colorado's daily rules add $50.00 compared with the federal weekly-only rule. Check that your payslip includes it.
Estimate at your base rate. If you earn shift differentials, overtime should use your blended regular rate. Exemptions and alternative schedules can change the result.
Colorado overtime rules
| Rule | Colorado |
|---|---|
| Weekly overtime | 1.5脳 after 40 hours in a workweek |
| Daily overtime | 1.5脳 after 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours |
| Double time | None |
| Minimum wage | $15.16 an hour in 2026. Some cities, including Denver, set higher local minimums. |
Worked example
Three 14-hour shifts is 42 hours. Federal law pays 2 overtime hours. Colorado pays 6, because each shift has 2 hours over 12.
Things that change the result
- The 12-consecutive-hours rule applies even when a shift crosses midnight. The calculator uses hours per workday, so enter overnight shifts on the day they start.
- Hospitals and nursing homes may use the federal 8/80 system by agreement. Agricultural workers have different thresholds.
- Overtime is paid on your regular rate, which includes shift differentials and most bonuses. If you earn differentials, use the shift differential calculator to find your overtime rate.
- Managers and some salaried roles are exempt from overtime. This calculator assumes you are an hourly, non-exempt employee.
Questions
- Does Colorado have daily overtime?
- Yes. Colorado pays 1.5脳 after 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours.
- What is the overtime rate in Colorado?
- Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
- Can my employer average hours over two weeks?
- No, not for the standard rule. Overtime is calculated for each workweek on its own, even when you're paid every two weeks. The main exception is the 8/80 system some hospitals and care facilities use by agreement.
Keep a record of every shift.
WageFlow does this math for every shift you log, so you can check each payslip. Free on iPhone, no account.
Official sources
This page explains general rules to help you estimate pay. It is not legal advice. Union contracts, employer policies, exemptions and local laws can change what applies to you. If you think you were underpaid, contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.