Colorado Final Paycheck Law (2026)

When your last paycheck is due in Colorado after you leave a job, whether you quit or were fired, and what it has to include.

Updated for 2026 Verified Jul 6, 2026

Compiled and verified by David Scott · Verified Jul 6, 2026

In Colorado, your final paycheck is due immediately (or within 6 hours of the next workday if payroll is off-site) if you are fired, and next scheduled payday if you quit.

Final paycheck deadline in Colorado

If you are fired or laid off

Immediately (or within 6 hours of the next workday if payroll is off-site)

If you quit

Next scheduled payday

What your final pay must include

Your final paycheck must include all the wages you earned through your last day. Whether it also has to include unused vacation depends on your state and your employer's policy, some states treat accrued vacation as wages that must be paid out. See Colorado PTO payout rules. If an employer misses the deadline, many states add penalties. This is general information, not legal advice.

Common questions

Colorado final paycheck FAQ

When is my final paycheck due in Colorado if I am fired?

If you are fired in Colorado, your final paycheck is due immediately (or within 6 hours of the next workday if payroll is off-site).

When is my final paycheck due if I quit in Colorado?

If you quit in Colorado, your final paycheck is due next scheduled payday.

Does my final paycheck include unused PTO?

It depends on your state and your employer's policy. Some states require accrued vacation to be paid out at separation. See Colorado PTO payout rules for details.

Can an employer withhold my final paycheck in Colorado?

No. An employer cannot withhold earned wages. They can make lawful deductions, but the wages you have earned are owed by the state deadline, whether or not you return company property (with narrow exceptions in a few states).

Where can I find the official Colorado rule?

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment and your state wage-payment law govern final pay. The official source is linked on this page.

David Scott

David Scott compiles and verifies minimum wage rates, tipped wages, and overtime rules from official state and federal labor department sources, and re-checks every page when rates change. See how the data is sourced.