State of Colorado Holiday Pay Law

Colorado Wage Law does not require employers to require nor do they prohibit employers from paying wages for holidays not worked. Colorado, like many other states, follows the federal laws with regard to paid holidays for its workers. When an employee is paid for a non-working holiday, the holiday hours do not count towards overtime unless work was actually performed on the holiday. In that case, an employee’s pay would reflect the number of hours worked. For instance, if the worker’s hours were over 40 hours in a work week, the employee would then earn overtime or time-and-a-half. The payment of holiday pay is something agreed upon between the employee and the employer at the time of hire.

Colorado also does not require nor prohibit employers from paying sick pay or sick leave, bereavement pay or bereavement leave. Employers are also not required to provide time off due to illness or injury, but may do so if they wish. If a worker needs such leave, and the employer will not grant it, he may contact the U.S. Department of Labor as federal law may apply. Workers may also contact Colorado Workers’ Compensation or consult an attorney.

The body which administers laws and regulations governing wages is the Colorado Division of Labor. They are concerned with issues such as minimum wage, working conditions, youth employment, and certain union issues and grievances. The Director of the Division of Labor is authorized to investigate and conduct inquiries regarding violations of the Wage Act on behalf of an employee.

The following federal holidays are observed in Colorado: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Washington-Lincoln Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, New Year’s Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day. Veteran’s Day is the only added holiday for Colorado residents. If a legal holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be considered the legal holiday for employees.