Meal and Rest Break Laws in Colorado
Whether Colorado law requires meal or rest breaks for adult employees.
Short answer: Required. A paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked, and a 30-minute meal break for workdays over 5 hours. The meal break may be unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duty and free to leave; COMPS Order (7 CCR 1103-1); CDLE INFO #4 and KNOWLEDGE #1
| Meal and rest breaks | Required. A paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked, and a 30-minute meal break for workdays over 5 hours. The meal break may be unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duty and free to leave; otherwise it is paid time. |
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Where to get help in Colorado
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), Division of Labor Standards and Statistics
- File a complaint or claim
More Colorado employment law
- Minimum Wage in Colorado
- Final Paycheck Laws in Colorado
- Wrongful Termination in Colorado
- Paid Sick Leave in Colorado
- Non-Compete Agreements in Colorado
- All Colorado employment law rules
FAQ
Are breaks required by law in Colorado?
Required. A paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked, and a 30-minute meal break for workdays over 5 hours. The meal break may be unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duty and free to leave; otherwise it is paid time.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.