Break Laws in Colorado
Colorado has meal and rest break requirements
Colorado's break requirements apply to most industries under the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order).
Break requirements
| Meal break required? | Yes |
|---|---|
| Meal break duration | 30 minutes |
| Meal break trigger | After 5 hours worked |
| Meal break paid? | No |
| Meal break details | Employees working 5 or more consecutive hours must receive an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break. The break is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. If the nature of the work prevents the employee from being relieved, the meal break must be paid. |
| Rest break required? | Yes |
| Rest break duration | 10 minutes |
| Rest break frequency | Every 4 hours |
| Rest break paid? | Yes |
| Rest break details | Employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours of work. The break should be in the middle of the work period if practicable. |
| Statute | 7 CCR 1103-1 (COMPS Order SS 5) |
Break Laws in Colorado: what you need to know
Colorado requires employers to provide both meal breaks and rest breaks to employees. Colorado's break requirements apply to most industries under the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards Order (COMPS Order). Having both requirements gives Colorado workers stronger protections than most states, where one or both types of breaks are left to employer discretion.
For meal breaks, Colorado law requires 30 minutes for shifts of a specified length hours or more. This break is typically unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. Employees working 5 or more consecutive hours must receive an uninterrupted 30-minute meal break. The break is unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of duties. If the nature of the work prevents the employee from being relieved, the meal break must be paid.
For rest breaks, Colorado requires 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked. Rest breaks must be paid. Employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours of work. The break should be in the middle of the work period if practicable.
For Colorado workers, understanding your break rights is important for daily quality of life. If your employer violates Colorado's break law, you may be entitled to additional compensation or penalties. Workers in physically demanding jobs, healthcare, and retail are particularly affected by break policies because fatigue from continuous work can affect both performance and safety.
It is also worth noting that some Colorado workers may be covered by industry-specific regulations even if the state lacks a general break law. For example, commercial drivers are subject to federal Hours of Service regulations that require rest periods. Healthcare workers may have facility-specific policies mandated by accreditation standards. And workers under 18 are often subject to stricter break requirements under child labor laws, even in states that do not require breaks for adults.
More Colorado workplace laws
Check other workplace law topics for Colorado:
Frequently asked questions about break laws in Colorado
Yes. Colorado requires a meal break of 30 minutes for qualifying shifts.
Yes. Colorado requires paid rest breaks.
If Colorado law requires a meal break and your employer requires you to work through it, you may be entitled to additional compensation or penalties.
Most states, including Colorado, have separate break requirements for workers under 18 under child labor laws. These requirements are typically stricter than adult break laws. If you are a minor worker, check Colorado's child labor laws for your specific break rights.
Document the violations and file a complaint with the Colorado Department of Labor. You may be entitled to additional pay or penalties for missed breaks.