Colorado Child Labor Laws
Colorado has some of the most protective child labor laws in the nation. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment works diligently to protect children under the age of 18 from exploitation and harm that can occur in places of employment. As of October 1, 2020, these are the established rules and regulations regarding Colorado Child Labor Laws:
Children aged 14-15 may not work more than 3 hours per day or 18 hours per week when school is in session. However, they can work up to 8 hours on non-school days, no more than 40 hours during a non-school week, or up to 6 days a week when school is out. Children ages 16-17 are not subject to daily hour restrictions while school is in session; however, they still must abide by an overall weekly limit of 48 hours per week.
Child Labor Laws in Colorado For Minors Under 14
Child labor laws in Colorado are among the most stringent in the nation when it comes to protecting minors under 14 years of age. The state of Colorado prohibits minors under 14 from being employed, with some exceptions.
Children between 12 and 14 may be employed for limited hours for certain types of work during non-school hours, such as performing work in a family business or farm, newspaper delivery, or working as an actor or performer. If they do choose to employ a minor aged 12-14, employers must obtain a permit from their local Department of Labor office before hiring them.
Colorado’s child labor laws also limit the number of hours that minors aged 15-17 may work during school days and require employers to provide breaks for workers under 18. Moreover, all minors must have written parental permission before starting any job.
Child Labor Laws in Colorado For Minors 14 and 15 Years Old
Child labor laws in Colorado are designed to provide safety and protection to minors aged 14 and 15 years old who work or seek employment. Understanding the regulations is essential for any parent or employer considering hiring a minor in the state of Colorado.
The following are some key points associated with child labor laws in Colorado:
- Minors between 14 and 15 years of age may not work more than 8 hours per day, 48 hours per week, nor before 7 a.m., after 7 p.m., or during school hours.
- During summer months, young workers can work up to 9 hours a day as long as their total number of weekly working hours does not exceed 48.
- Young employees must have an hour-long break if they work over 5 consecutive hours per shift, preferably noon-1 p.m.
Child Labor Laws in Colorado For Minors 16 and 17 Years Old
Child labor laws are in place to protect minors from exploitation and ensure they are safe while working. In Colorado, there are special laws that govern the rights of those under the age of 18, including those aged 16 and 17. To ensure young people have a fair start in their careers, it’s important to know what these regulations entail.
The most significant stipulation for minors aged 16 and 17 is that they may not work more than eight hours per day or forty hours per week. They must also take an unpaid break of thirty minutes after five consecutive hours of work unless otherwise agreed upon by their employer.
Additionally, it is illegal for minors under sixteen years old to work at all in certain hazardous occupations such as mining or operating heavy machinery; however, this does not apply to those aged sixteen or seventeen who can be employed in most occupations with a few exceptions.