Colorado Bill SB26-081: Agricultural Employee Overtime Protections

Detected March 20th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Senate Bill SB26-081 proposes to increase overtime protections for agricultural employees. The bill would require overtime pay for work exceeding 40 hours per week, 12 hours per workday, or 12 consecutive hours. The bill is currently under consideration in the 2026 Regular Session.

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What changed

Colorado Senate Bill SB26-081, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, aims to establish overtime protections for agricultural employees that are consistent with those for other workers in the state. Specifically, the bill mandates that agricultural employees receive overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, or for any work exceeding 12 hours in a workday or 12 consecutive hours. This proposed legislation seeks to align labor standards for the agricultural sector with broader state employment regulations.

This bill, if passed, will require agricultural employers in Colorado to revise their payroll and scheduling practices to comply with the new overtime thresholds. Compliance officers should monitor the bill's progress through the legislative process and prepare for potential implementation of these new requirements. The bill is currently in the 'Under Consideration' stage, having been introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Business, Labor, & Technology, where it was postponed indefinitely. Further legislative action would be required for it to become law.

What to do next

Monitor legislative progress of SB26-081
Review current payroll and scheduling practices for agricultural employees

Source document (simplified)

SB26-081

Increase Agricultural Employee Overtime Protections

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Labor & Employment |
Concerning the establishment of an overtime threshold for agricultural employees consistent with the threshold applicable to other workers in Colorado.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill increases overtime protections for agricultural employees by requiring that agricultural employees be paid at an overtime rate for any work performed in excess of: