Payment methods (direct deposit, pay cards)
Pay by sending or delivering payment to the employee or by direct deposit. Source: cdle.colorado.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay stubs
Give an itemized statement each pay period with names, pay period dates, hours, tips and credits, pay rates, gross pay, withholdings and net pay. Fines are $250 per employee per month for violations. Source: cdle.colorado.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Penalties
Wages not paid within 14 days of a written demand or complaint carry extra penalties; pay statement violations are fined $250 per employee per month. Source: cdle.colorado.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
Recent changes
From 1 February 2026, required payroll records must also show vacation/PTO and sick leave hours (CDLE INFO #3A, updated 9 January 2026). Source: cdle.colorado.gov↗ (opens in a new tab)
The law and where to check
The law: Colo. Rev. Stat. § 8-4-103 (opens in a new tab)
The agency: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics (opens in a new tab)
What federal law says
Federal law does not set how often employers must pay. Under the FLSA, wages are due on the regular payday for the pay period. State laws set the frequency. Source: U.S. DOL — state payday table↗ (opens in a new tab)
Pay frequency checklist for Colorado employers
A simple order of work, based on the rules above. It is not a legal checklist.
- Pick a pay schedule that meets the minimum frequency above.
- Set fixed paydays within the time limit after each pay period ends.
- Tell employees their payday in writing, and post it if required.
- Choose payment methods your state allows (check, direct deposit, pay card).
- Give a pay stub with the details your state requires.
- Keep payroll records.
More Colorado employment law guides
- All Colorado employment laws
- Colorado final paycheck law
- Colorado paid sick leave law
- Colorado meal and rest break laws
- Colorado overtime law
- Colorado vacation and PTO payout law
- Colorado new hire reporting
- Colorado at-will exceptions
Pay frequency laws in other states
See every state on one page, or pick a state:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Sources
All official government sources, last checked October 19, 2026.
Disclaimer: This guide provides general information based on publicly available official sources and is for information only. It is not legal, tax, payroll or employment-law advice and does not guarantee compliance with federal, state or local requirements. Rules can depend on your location, industry, contracts and other circumstances, and laws change. Always check the official source, the relevant government agency or a qualified professional before making a decision. MadyHR.ai accepts no responsibility for any action taken based on this page.
Last checked: . Every rule and source link on this page was checked against the official government source on this date. Laws change, so always open the source link before you act.