Colorado Overtime Calculator: 12h Daily & Take-Home Pay
Colorado mandates 1.5× overtime pay after 12 hours in a workday, 12 consecutive hours, or 40 hours in a workweek. Calculate your statutory gross overtime and estimated net take-home pay after Colorado flat 4.40% state tax, Federal withholding, and FICA.
Calculate Your Colorado Overtime & Net Pay
How Colorado Overtime Law Operates Under COMPS Orders
Colorado is one of only four states providing statutory daily overtime protections. Regulated by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) under the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order #39 / #40), Colorado requires overtime at 1.5× regular pay on three distinct metrics:
1. The 12-Hour Daily Rule
Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5× their regular rate for all hours worked in excess of 12 hours in any single workday. Unlike California's 8-hour daily rule, Colorado workers can work standard 9-hour, 10-hour, or 12-hour shifts without triggering daily overtime, making 4-day/10-hour and 3-day/12-hour healthcare and warehouse shifts common across the state.
2. The 12 Consecutive Hours Rule
Colorado uniquely mandates overtime for any hours worked beyond 12 consecutive hours, regardless of the designated workday schedule. For example, if an employee works an overnight shift from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM (14 hours straight), the final 2 hours must be paid at 1.5× overtime, even though the shift crossed midnight into a new calendar workday.
3. Flat 4.40% State Tax Withholding
Colorado taxes earned income at a flat 4.40% rate (reported on Colorado Form DR 0104). Every dollar of regular pay and overtime compensation is withheld at this flat percentage, making state tax planning simple and predictable for hourly workers.
Compare Daily Overtime States
See how Colorado's 12-hour daily rule compares to California's 8-hour daily rule, Alaska, and Nevada.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colorado Overtime
Common wage questions answered under Colorado COMPS Order #39/#40.
How does Colorado daily overtime work under COMPS Order #39/#40?
Under the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order enforced by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5× their regular rate for: (1) any hours worked over 40 in a workweek, (2) any hours worked over 12 in a single workday, or (3) any hours worked over 12 consecutive hours without regard to the start and end time of the workday. Overtime is paid on whichever threshold results in the greater payment to the employee.
What is Colorado's state income tax rate on overtime wages?
Colorado levies a flat state personal income tax rate of 4.40% (reported on Colorado Form DR 0104). Unlike states with graduated tax brackets, every dollar of your overtime gross pay in Colorado is subject to this flat 4.40% state withholding, alongside federal income tax and federal FICA (7.65%).
Does Colorado require double-time pay?
No. Unlike California, Colorado labor law does not contain a statutory double-time (2.0×) requirement, even if an employee works 16 or more hours in a single shift. All overtime hours over 12 in a day or 40 in a week are compensated at 1.5× the employee's regular rate of pay.
What is the 12 consecutive hours rule in Colorado?
COMPS Order provides that employees who work more than 12 consecutive hours—even if those hours span across two distinct calendar workdays (such as an overnight shift from 8:00 PM to 9:00 AM)—must receive 1.5× overtime pay for all hours worked after the 12th consecutive hour.
What is Colorado's exempt salary threshold?
Under Colorado COMPS Order, the salary threshold for executive, administrative, and professional exemptions is adjusted annually for inflation ($55,000+ per year), significantly higher than the federal baseline of $35,568. Salaried employees earning less than Colorado's threshold are entitled to 1.5× overtime pay.