Colorado Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay Rules
Side-by-side statutory audit of Registered Nurse hourly wages, 1.5x overtime thresholds, shift benchmarks ($42.80/hr median), and meal break penalty pay under 7 CCR 1103-1 COMPS Order #39.
Colorado Registered Nurse Paycheck Calculator
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In Colorado, a Registered Nurse is entitled to a minimum statutory base wage of $14.42/hr (State industry median: $42.80/hr). Overtime is calculated at 1.5x regular rate after 12 hours per day under 7 CCR 1103-1 COMPS Order #39.
Visual Pay Composition Breakdown
FLSA Exemption & Overtime Rules for Registered Nurses in Colorado
Non-Exempt (Eligible for 1.5x Overtime & Shift Differential Premiums)
Registered Nurses paid on an hourly basis are non-exempt under FLSA regulations and MUST receive 1.5x overtime pay for all hours over 40.
Colorado Labor Code & FLSA Authority
Statutory Citation: 7 CCR 1103-1 COMPS Order #39
Colorado COMPS Order #39 mandates daily overtime at 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 12 in a workday or 12 consecutive hours regardless of workday boundary.
Employee Statutory Rights (CO)
- ✓ Daily overtime pay (1.5x) for hours worked over 12 in a workday or 12 consecutive hours.
- ✓ 30-minute meal break for shifts over 5 hours; paid 10-minute rest period for every 4 hours.
- ✓ Paid sick leave accrual under Healthy Workplaces and Families Act (HWFA).
Employer Mandatory Obligations (CO)
- § Pay tipped employees at least $11.40/hr direct cash wage.
- § Include rest period penalty pay for missed 10-minute breaks.
- § Post COMPS Order #39 poster in all employee work areas.
Common Colorado Payroll Compliance Traps & Audit Penalties
Overlooking 12-consecutive-hour daily overtime rule across overnight shifts.
Failing to pay 10-minute rest breaks as compensable working time.
Using federal FLSA salary exemption threshold ($35,568) instead of CO state threshold ($55,000).
Managing payroll or shift workers in Colorado?
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Audit Colorado Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay
Verify 2026 statutory minimum wage floors, 1.5x overtime thresholds, and meal break penalties for Registered Nurses in Colorado.