Colorado COMPS Order Poster in Aurora, Colorado (2026)
Your restaurant is legally vulnerable to employee wage claims, audits, and fines from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) if you fail to post the required Colorado COMPS Order Poster—also called the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards notice. This mandatory workplace poster from the CDLE outlines state labor laws on wages, breaks, and overtime for all Colorado employees. Key facts:
- 17 fields — ApronPrep auto-fills 14
- $0 government filing fee — no charge for the poster itself
- Timeline varies — must be posted immediately upon hiring
Analyzed from Colorado COMPS Order Poster
82% from one compliance interview
Manual entry or document upload required
Why You Need a Colorado COMPS Order Poster
In Colorado, every employer is required to display official wage and labor notices where employees can easily see them. This is mandated by the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order (Code of Colorado Regulations 7 CCR 1103-1), the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) (C.R.S. § 8-13.3-101 et seq.) for sick leave, and other state poster statutes. The COMPS Order consolidates requirements for minimum wage, overtime, tip credits, and other pay standards. For businesses in Aurora, this state-level requirement is enforced locally, and displaying the correct, current poster is a non-negotiable condition of operating with employees. Authorities will check for compliance during routine inspections or in response to employee complaints.
Failing to post the required COMPS Order notice can trigger significant penalties and operational risks, even if you pay wages correctly. Common consequences include:
- Civil Penalties: Fines levied by the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) for each violation of posting requirements.
- Back Wage & Damage Claims: In wage dispute cases, the absence of the required poster can weaken an employer's defense and may lead to liability for back wages, liquidated damages, or treble damages under Colorado's wage law (C.R.S. § 8-4-110).
- Increased Scrutiny & Audits: A missing poster is a red flag that can prompt a full wage and hour audit by the CDLE, examining payroll records for several years.
- Lease & Insurance Complications: Commercial leases and business insurance policies often require compliance with all applicable laws. A violation can be grounds for default or affect coverage in a labor-related claim.
Legal code: State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
Recent update: The COMPS Order poster requirements were updated in 2024 to reflect new minimum wage rates and the statewide minimum wage for tipped employees; ensure your poster displays the 2026 rates to remain compliant.
Who Needs a Colorado COMPS Order Poster?
| Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant (Full-Service) | Required | The Colorado COMPS Order poster is required for any Colorado employer with at least one employee, and restaurants are a classic covered workplace per the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. |
| Bar / Nightclub | Required | Employers in the hospitality industry must comply with Colorado wage and hour law (COMPS Order #38), which mandates the poster be displayed in a conspicuous location. |
| Food Truck | Required | Any business with Colorado-based employees, including mobile food service, must post the COMPS Order poster at each physical place of employment, which includes the truck's operational base or commissary. |
| Coffee Shop / Café | Required | These establishments employ workers and are subject to the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order, making the poster a mandatory workplace notice. |
See which restaurant types need this requirement — and which don't.
See Full Requirements →Field-by-Field Guide (17 Fields)
14 of 17 auto-filledI understand Colorado requires the COMPS Order poster
booleanCheck the box to confirm you have read and understand that the Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #38 mandates this poster for most employers in Aurora.
COMMON MISTAKE: Leaving this box unchecked, which fails to demonstrate the required legal acknowledgment, potentially leading to a citation during a compliance inspection.
Business has or will have employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if you currently employ or plan to hire any non-exempt workers (including part-time, full-time, or seasonal), as this determines your obligation to post the COMPS Order.
COMMON MISTAKE: Incorrectly selecting 'No' if you have any staff, as sole proprietors without employees are the primary exemption; this error creates an immediate compliance failure.
Workplace Address
addressEnter the complete, physical street address (not a P.O. Box) of your Aurora restaurant where the poster must be displayed and employees report for work.
COMMON MISTAKE: Using a corporate mailing address, home address, or an incomplete address, which does not accurately identify the covered workplace for compliance verification.
Has Spanish-speaking employees
booleanSelect 'Yes' if any of your employees primarily speak Spanish, which triggers the additional requirement to post the Spanish-language version of the COMPS Order.
COMMON MISTAKE: Selecting 'No' to avoid extra work when Spanish-speaking staff are present, a violation of the Colorado Wage Act that carries a risk of penalties.
COMPS Order poster downloaded
booleanConfirm you have obtained the official poster PDF from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) website or a verified source.
COMMON MISTAKE: Checking this box after printing an outdated or unofficial poster from a third-party site, which will not satisfy the legal posting requirement.
Poster Download Date
dateEnter the date (MM/DD/YYYY) you downloaded the poster file, which helps verify you have the current version, especially after regulatory updates.
COMMON MISTAKE: Entering an old date from a prior year's download, which raises a red flag during an audit that the poster content may be obsolete.
Verified poster is current version
booleanCheck the box after confirming the poster's issue date or version number matches the latest one listed on the CDLE's website for COMPS Order #38.
COMMON MISTAKE: Assuming a recently downloaded poster is current without cross-checking the CDLE site, as the state can update wage notices annually.
Poster printed in appropriate size
booleanConfirm the English poster has been printed legibly, typically on 11"x17" paper or larger, as required for clear employee visibility.
COMMON MISTAKE: Printing the poster on standard letter-sized (8.5"x11") paper, which may fail to meet the minimum size standard for mandatory workplace notices.
Spanish version printed
booleanIf applicable, confirm the Spanish-language COMPS Order poster has also been printed to the required size for posting alongside the English version.
COMMON MISTAKE: Failing to print the Spanish poster after indicating you have Spanish-speaking employees, a direct violation that can result in fines.
Poster Location in Workplace
textDescribe the specific, permanent location where the poster is displayed (e.g., 'Break room bulletin board next to time clock' or 'Employee entrance hallway').
COMMON MISTAKE: Listing an inaccessible area like a manager's office or a storage closet, which violates the 'conspicuous place' rule and nullifies the posting.
ApronPrep auto-fills 14 of 17 fields from a single compliance interview — no re-typing, no guessing what the government expects.
Top 5 Colorado COMPS Order Poster Mistakes
1. Posting the Incorrect or Outdated Poster Version
Laminating and posting a 2023 or 2024 version of the COMPS Order poster after the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) has issued an update. The CDLE mandates posting the most current version within 10 days of its release. An outdated poster is a citable violation and can trigger a fine during an inspection. Always download the latest version directly from the CDLE's official website—never use a saved copy from a previous year.
2. Placing the Poster in an Inaccessible or Non-Conspicuous Location
Hanging the poster in a back office, break room that's rarely used, or behind a door where it's not easily seen by all employees. The law requires it to be posted in a 'conspicuous and accessible place' frequented by employees. If it's not immediately visible in a common area like near the time clock, schedule board, or main kitchen entrance, it fails compliance. This mistake is the most common cause of a violation notice during a routine audit.
3. Failing to Post All Required Workplace Notices Together
Posting the COMPS Order alone, while storing other mandatory Colorado notices (like Minimum Wage, Workers' Compensation, and Anti-Discrimination posters) in a binder. State law requires all required workplace postings to be displayed together where employees can readily review them. Isolating the COMPS poster can still lead to penalties for missing other notices. Use a designated bulletin board in a high-traffic area to cluster all state and federal labor law posters.
Skip the Paperwork on Your Colorado COMPS Order Poster
ApronPrep auto-fills 14 of 17 fields from one compliance interview.
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Colorado COMPS Order Poster by City in Colorado
| City | Fee Range | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Aurora | ||
| Colorado Springs | ||
| Denver |
Timeline: 3–5 Business Days
Identify Required Postings & Download Current Versions
The Colorado Overtime and Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #39 requires you to display the official COMPS Order poster. You must also post the Colorado Minimum Wage poster. Download the latest English and Spanish versions of both from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) website. These are free government resources. Do not use versions from other websites as they may be outdated and non-compliant.
Print Posters to Required Specifications
Print the downloaded posters. The COMPS Order poster must be printed in color on legal-size paper (8.5" x 14") or larger for visibility. The Minimum Wage poster is typically letter-size (8.5" x 11"). Ensure the print quality is clear and legible from a distance of 5 feet. Use standard office-grade paper; lamination is recommended for durability but not required.
Post in Required Aurora Locations
Physically post the COMPS Order and Minimum Wage posters in a conspicuous place accessible to all employees. This is typically in a common area like a break room, near time clocks, or next to other required employment law posters. In Aurora, you must also ensure the COMPS poster is posted at all job sites if your business operates across multiple locations within the city. Failure to post properly is a common violation during inspections.
Where to Apply
Applications go to the Colorado department of labor. Local procedures and fees may vary — select your city below.
Other Requirements You'll Need
This is one of 13 requirements for opening a restaurant in Colorado.
ADA Compliance Self-Certification
federal
Alarm System Permit/Registration
local
Application for Employer Identification Number
federal
Articles of Organization (LLC) or Articles of Incorporation (Corporation)
state
See all co-required forms and how they connect to your compliance dossier.
See All RequirementsProcessing time varies. The requirement is to post the notice immediately upon hiring employees, as it's a mandatory labor law posting, not a permit you apply for. You are responsible for obtaining and displaying the official Colorado Overtime & Minimum Pay Standards (COMPS) Order #39 poster. Not legal advice — verify compliance deadlines with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE).
Government filing fees are $0–$0. The poster itself is available for free download from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) website. You may incur costs for printing the poster or using a compliance service, but there is no fee paid to the state or city of Aurora for this specific labor notice. Not legal advice — verify the current poster version with the CDLE.
No, this is a static notice, not a transferable permit. If you move your business, you must ensure the poster is displayed at the new location. Moving often triggers other local requirements, like an updated City Business License/Registration. Contact the Aurora Business & Licensing Division to confirm address update procedures for your business file.
You must renew the physical poster whenever the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) issues an updated version. The COMPS Order rules can change; the CDLE posts new versions on its website. You must replace the old poster immediately. Staying current with this requirement helps avoid penalties that can also impact other registrations like your Colorado Employer Withholding Tax Registration.
An inspector from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) or the U.S. Department of Labor will check for the poster’s presence, its correct version, and its visibility in a common area where employees can see it. They may also review payroll records to ensure compliance with the wage and hour rules posted. Fines for non-compliance are separate from, and can be issued in addition to, penalties for other violations like lacking a valid Certificate of Occupancy.
About This Data
This guide is generated from ApronPrep's compliance dossier system, which uses 53 parallel AI authority experts to discover requirements, then downloads actual forms and generates field-level intelligence for each one.
For Colorado specifically, we have analyzed compliance dossiers for 3 cities (Aurora, Colorado Springs, Denver), generating Rich FILs (Form Intelligence Layers) with 17 form fields analyzed for this requirement. Fee data is sourced from actual county department fee schedules, not estimates.
Our data is verified against official government sources and updated when regulatory changes are detected. If you find an error, please report it — accuracy is our core commitment.
Sources
- State minimum wage law, earned sick time law, tip law, workplace poster statutes, prevailing wage law
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