Colorado Final Paycheck Law & Calculator
Add your unpaid Colorado wages and accrued PTO to estimate gross final pay and subtract deductions supplied by payroll.
Include federal, state, local, Social Security, Medicare, benefits, and other deductions. Leave blank if unknown.
- Regular wages before deductions
- $1,250.00
- Eligible PTO before deductions
- $2,500.00
$3,750.00
Gross final paycheck
Regular wages and PTO can use different withholding methods. This tool does not apply a flat supplemental tax rate to your entire paycheck. It excludes overtime premiums, commissions, bonuses, and disputed amounts; confirm payable hours with payroll and your state guide.
Estimates only. PTO payout rights and tax withholding vary by state, employer policy, and individual circumstances. This is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Consult your state labor department or a qualified professional. See our methodology.
Tax figures assume eligible flat supplemental withholding: 22% federal below the annual $1 million threshold, payroll taxes, and an illustrative state rate. Employers may use other permitted methods. Prior wages are assumed to be zero unless entered; state rates and individual payroll deductions need confirmation with payroll.
Colorado Use-It-Or-Lose-It Prohibitions
Under the Colorado Wage Act and CDLE guidelines, accrued vacation and PTO are legally protected forms of earned compensation. Consequently, use-it-or-lose-it policies that result in the forfeiture of already earned paid leave are strictly prohibited in Colorado. All accrued, unused vacation hours must be compensated at the employee's final rate of pay upon job separation.
Final pay and PTO in Colorado
Colorado final-pay deadlines
- If the employer ends the job
- Immediately
- If you resign
- Next scheduled payday
These are the recorded state deadline summaries. Check the agency source for employer coverage, notice requirements, exceptions, and the current rule. Severance and disputed commissions may follow separate terms.
Compare regular wages, overtime, and eligible leave as separate lines on your pay stub. This calculator estimates an amount; it does not calculate a legally binding payment date or late-payment penalty.
State source: Colorado Division of Labor Standards & Statistics (CDLE). This is an agency resource; it does not independently verify every estimate or settle eligibility.
Your final paycheck combines any regular wages you earned but were not yet paid with your accrued PTO payout where it is owed. Use-it-or-lose-it forfeiture of earned time is not allowed in Colorado, and the window to claim unpaid final wages runs for 2–3 years. This calculator pre-selects Colorado for the state guidance below.
For the governing statute (reference: Colorado Wage Act / COMPS Order) and a full PTO breakdown, see the Colorado PTO payout guide and final paycheck rules by state.
When is your final paycheck due in Colorado?
| Situation | Final paycheck deadline |
|---|---|
| If you are fired or laid off | Immediately |
| If you quit | Next scheduled payday |
This deadline applies to your whole final paycheck, including any accrued PTO Colorado requires to be paid. Late or missing final pay can entitle you to penalties or interest \u2014 file an unpaid-wage claim with the Colorado Division of Labor Standards & Statistics (CDLE). Deadlines change with legislation, so confirm the current rule before acting.
Official Colorado Wage Claim Resources
If your employer holds your final paycheck or fails to pay you correct wages, you can contact the official state agency to get help:
- Wage Agency: Colorado Division of Labor Standards & Statistics (CDLE)
- Phone Support: (303) 318-8441
- Official Website: https://cdle.colorado.gov/labor
Frequently asked questions
When is my final paycheck due in Colorado?+
If your employment ends in Colorado, your final paycheck — including any owed PTO — is due as follows. If you are fired or laid off: Immediately. If you quit: Next scheduled payday. Deadlines can change, so confirm the current rule with the state labor department.
Is PTO included in a final paycheck in Colorado?+
Colorado treats accrued vacation as earned wages, so your unused PTO must be included in your final paycheck. Reference: Colorado Wage Act / COMPS Order.
How is my final paycheck taxed in Colorado?+
Regular wages and eligible supplemental payments can use different withholding methods. Payroll may use the optional flat federal method or an aggregate method when permitted; state rules and prior wages also matter. This calculator shows gross components and subtracts only the deductions you enter.
How long do I have to claim unpaid final wages in Colorado?+
The statute of limitations for unpaid-wage claims in Colorado is 2–3 years. File a claim with the state labor department if your final check is missing or wrong.