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Colorado · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Colorado
Meal & rest breaks.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for meal & rest breaks.

Notice: General informational guidance, not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer. Federal, state, and municipal regulations operate concurrently.
Meal & rest breaks · ColoradoChanged recently

Colorado meal and rest breaks

30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours

The COMPS Order gives employees an uninterrupted, duty-free 30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours of work and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; a rest period that is not taken must be paid as time worked.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Colorado · All industries
Effective
Mar 16, 2020

Local notes & what to do

Colorado recalculates its wage figures every year in the PAY CALC Order: for 2026 the minimum wage is $15.16, the tipped cash wage is $12.14 and the exempt salary floor is $57,784 a year. Colorado overtime is broader than federal law - it is due after 12 hours in a day or 12 consecutive hours as well as after 40 in a week. FAMLI premiums fell to 0.88% of wages in 2026 (0.86% is announced for 2027), and 2026 adds up to 12 extra weeks of leave for parents of babies in neonatal intensive care.

Official source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Wage and Hour Laws (including Paid Sick Leave) Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Colorado
Colorado meal and rest breaks 		30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours 0–any employees
All industries 		Mar 16, 2020
Current 		Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Wage and Hour Laws (including Paid Sick Leave)
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Colorado?

Colorado · Meal & rest breaks

Rule name changed from not previously published to Colorado meal and rest breaks. Summary changed from not previously published to The COMPS Order gives employees an uninterrupted, duty-free 30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours of work and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; a rest period that is not taken must be paid as time worked.. Requirement changed from not previously published to 30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to not published. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Mar 16, 2020. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Colorado recalculates its wage figures every year in the PAY CALC Order: for 2026 the minimum wage is $15.16, the tipped cash wage is $12.14 and the exempt salary floor is $57,784 a year. Colorado overtime is broader than federal law - it is due after 12 hours in a day or 12 consecutive hours as well as after 40 in a week. FAMLI premiums fell to 0.88% of wages in 2026 (0.86% is announced for 2027), and 2026 adds up to 12 extra weeks of leave for parents of babies in neonatal intensive care.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Wage and Hour Laws (including Paid Sick Leave) · Effective Mar 16, 2020 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Meal & rest breaks in Colorado

What is the Colorado meal & rest breaks requirement for 0+ employees?

30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours; paid 10-minute rest break per 4 hours. The COMPS Order gives employees an uninterrupted, duty-free 30-minute meal period after 5 consecutive hours of work and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked; a rest period that is not taken must be paid as time worked.

When did Colorado meal and rest breaks take effect?

Effective March 16, 2020. Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment - Wage and Hour Laws (including Paid Sick Leave). Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Colorado meal and rest breaks?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Colorado across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Colorado meal and rest breaks?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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