How many paid rest breaks does Colorado require?

Colorado COMPS Order Rule 4.2 requires one paid 10-minute rest break for each four hours worked, or major fraction thereof. A 7-hour shift earns one rest break; an 8-hour shift earns two.

When is a meal break required in Colorado?

A 30-minute unpaid meal period is required for shifts exceeding five hours under COMPS Order Rule 4.2. For shifts exceeding 10 hours, a second meal period applies.

What is the additional break rule for shifts over 12 hours in Colorado?

Shifts exceeding 12 hours require an additional 30-minute break (meal period) under COMPS Order Rule 4.2, separate from overtime rules.

Does Colorado have a penalty for a missed break?

Colorado COMPS Order does not provide an automatic premium-pay remedy for a missed break. Employees may file a wage complaint with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics.

State

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Colorado's COMPS Order Rule 4.2 requires one paid 10-minute rest break per four hours worked and one unpaid 30-minute meal period for shifts exceeding five hours. Shifts exceeding 12 hours require an additional unpaid 30-minute break. — Source: Colorado COMPS Order #40 (CDLE)

Colorado break requirements

Colorado Meal and Rest Break Requirements

Colorado's COMPS Order (7 CCR 1103-1, Rule 4.2) sets paid rest breaks at 10 minutes per four-hour period and unpaid meal periods at 30 minutes per five-hour period. Shifts over 12 hours earn an additional 30-minute unpaid break. Enter your shift length below.

Scope: This calculator counts required break periods based on shift hours. It does not determine whether breaks were compliant, whether an exemption applies, or whether break time must be paid in specific circumstances.

Enter your shift hours

The Colorado COMPS Order break rules

Rule 4.2 of Colorado COMPS Order #40 (7 CCR 1103-1) establishes three requirements. First, one paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours worked or major fraction thereof. Second, one unpaid 30-minute meal period when any work period exceeds five consecutive hours. Third, an additional 30-minute unpaid break for shifts exceeding 12 hours.

Entitlement formula

Paid rest breaks = floor(hours ÷ 4) Unpaid meal periods = floor(hours ÷ 5) [when hours > 5] Extended shift break = 1 [when hours > 12]

Worked examples

Eight-hour shift

Paid rest breaks = floor(8 ÷ 4) = 2 paid 10-min breaks Unpaid meal periods = floor(8 ÷ 5) = 1 unpaid 30-min meal Extended shift break = no (shift ≤ 12 hours)

Thirteen-hour shift

Paid rest breaks = floor(13 ÷ 4) = 3 paid 10-min breaks Unpaid meal periods = floor(13 ÷ 5) = 2 unpaid 30-min meals Extended shift break = 1 additional 30-min unpaid break

Paid vs. unpaid break distinctions

The 10-minute rest break must be paid — it counts as time worked and may not be deducted from wages. The 30-minute meal period is unpaid only when the employee is completely relieved of all duties. If an employee is required to remain on call, at their station, or available for work during the meal period, that time must be paid. Colorado COMPS Order Rule 4.2 enforces both standards.

What this does not determine

Whether actual breaks provided were compliant in timing and freedom from duty.
Whether your employer, industry, or role is exempt from COMPS Order (certain exemptions apply to executive, professional, and administrative employees).
Whether a collective-bargaining agreement or employer policy provides more generous breaks.
Overtime, minimum wage, or other rights under COMPS Order.

Sources and verification

Break requirements are drawn from Colorado COMPS Order #40, Rule 4.2 (Colorado Division of Labor Standards and Statistics, 7 CCR 1103-1). COMPS Order applies to most private-sector employees in Colorado and is updated periodically; verify the current edition at the CDLE website. No automatic premium-pay remedy for a missed break exists under Colorado state law; employees may file complaints with the Division of Labor Standards and Statistics.