1. Position, Duties, and Reporting
Position / Job Title: [[Job Title]]
Department: [[Department or "N/A"]]
Primary Work Location: [[Primary Work Location Address or "Remote as agreed"]]
Reports To: [[Supervisor Name and Title]]
Start Date: [[Start Date]]
The Employee is employed in the position of [[Job Title]]. The Employee shall perform the duties reasonably assigned by the Employer consistent with the position and such other duties as are customarily associated with the role. The Employee agrees to devote the time, attention, and best efforts necessary to perform the duties faithfully and to comply with all lawful policies, procedures, and directions of the Employer.
2. Employment Type, At-Will / Termination Notice
Employment in Colorado is generally at-will. Either party may terminate the employment relationship at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, subject to the terms of this Agreement and applicable law.
Employment Type: [[ "At-will" or "Fixed term ending [[End Date]]" ]]
If a fixed-term agreement is used, early termination without cause may give rise to contract damages. The Employer may terminate for cause at any time without notice or severance.
The Employee may resign at any time. The Employer requests [[e.g., two (2) weeks]] written notice where feasible.
3. Compensation
Base Salary or Hourly Wage: $[[Base Annual Salary or Hourly Rate]]
Pay Frequency: [[Bi-weekly / Semi-monthly / Weekly]]
Overtime: Non-exempt employees are entitled to overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek and for hours over 12 in a workday under Colorado wage orders (or as modified by current law).
FLSA / Colorado Classification: [[Exempt or Non-exempt - include brief rationale]]
Wages must be paid in accordance with Colorado Wage Order and Labor Peace Act requirements. The current Colorado minimum wage is $[[Current CO Minimum Wage, e.g. 14.42 or applicable]] per hour (as of 2026; confirm current rate and any local ordinances at time of hire). The Employee authorizes all required statutory deductions.
Bonus / Commission / Variable Pay: [[Description of any bonus, commission plan, or "None"]]
Any bonus is discretionary unless expressly stated as earned upon defined metrics.
4. Benefits and Paid Time Off
Benefits: [[Summary of benefits eligibility, e.g., health, dental, retirement plans, or "As described in the Employer's current benefits summary provided separately"]]
The Employee may be eligible for benefits in accordance with plan documents and the Employer's policies. The Employer reserves the right to modify or terminate benefit plans in accordance with their terms and applicable law.
Vacation / PTO: [[Accrual policy or "As set forth in the Employer's PTO policy. Colorado does not require paid vacation but earned vacation is treated as wages upon termination under certain circumstances."]]
Sick Leave: Colorado requires paid sick leave under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). Eligible employees accrue at least [[one (1)]] hour of paid sick leave for every [[thirty (30)]] hours worked, up to [[48]] hours per year (or more under local ordinances or employer policy). Leave may be used for the employee's or family member's illness, preventive care, domestic violence, or other qualifying reasons.
Holidays: [[List or "Paid holidays as designated in the Employer's policy"]]
5. Hours of Work and Breaks
The Employee's regular hours of work shall be [[e.g., 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.]], subject to the Employer's operational needs.
Non-exempt employees are entitled to meal and rest breaks as required by Colorado Wage Order 38 (or successor) and federal law: generally a 30-minute meal period for shifts over 5 hours, and rest breaks of 10 minutes per 4-hour period.
6. Confidentiality
During and after employment, the Employee shall not disclose or use any confidential or proprietary information of the Employer, its clients, or business partners, except as required in the performance of duties or as authorized in writing.
Confidential information includes trade secrets, customer lists, pricing, business plans, financial information, processes, and any other non-public information.
This obligation survives termination of employment indefinitely for trade secrets and for a reasonable period for other confidential information.
7. Intellectual Property and Assignment
All inventions, works, ideas, improvements, processes, software, documentation, and other intellectual property created by the Employee in the course of employment or using the Employer's resources shall be the sole property of the Employer.
The Employee hereby assigns and agrees to execute all documents necessary to perfect the Employer's ownership of such intellectual property, both during and after employment.
8. Restrictive Covenants
Non-Compete: Under Colorado law (C.R.S. § 8-2-113), non-compete covenants are generally void and unenforceable except in limited circumstances (e.g., sale of business, recovery of training expenses for highly paid employees, or protection of trade secrets). Any non-compete in this Agreement is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law and shall be enforced only if reasonable and compliant with Colorado statutes.
Non-Solicitation: Customer and employee non-solicit provisions may be enforceable if reasonable in duration and scope.
The Parties acknowledge Colorado's strong public policy in favor of employee mobility and free competition.
9. Termination
Resignation: The Employee may resign at any time. The Employer requests reasonable notice.
Termination without Cause: The Employer may terminate at any time without cause. The Employee is entitled to final wages, including any earned but unpaid commissions, bonuses, and accrued vacation treated as wages under Colorado law.
Termination for Cause: The Employer may terminate for cause (serious misconduct, dishonesty, willful neglect, violation of law or policy, harassment, etc.) without advance notice or severance, subject to any contractual commitments.
Final Pay: Final wages are due on the next regular payday or as required by Colorado law (C.R.S. § 8-4-109). Willful violations may result in penalties.
10. Return of Property
Upon termination of employment or at any time upon request, the Employee shall immediately return all Employer property, including documents, data, equipment, keys, access cards, and any copies or derivatives of confidential information.
11. Representations and Warranties
The Employee represents that:
- The Employee has the legal right to work in the United States and Colorado.
- All information provided in the application and during hiring is true and complete.
- The Employee is not subject to any non-compete or other restriction that would prevent performance under this Agreement in Colorado.
12. Governing Law
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, without regard to its conflict of laws principles.
Venue lies in the county where the Employer's principal place of business is located or where the Employee worked, at the Employer's election.
13. Entire Agreement and Amendments
This Agreement, together with any schedules, policies incorporated by reference, and any offer letter, constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties and supersedes all prior negotiations, representations, and agreements.
No amendment or waiver shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties.
14. Severability
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect. Invalid provisions shall be reformed to the minimum extent necessary to make them valid and enforceable while preserving the Parties' intent.
15. Independent Legal Advice
The Employee acknowledges having had the opportunity to obtain independent legal advice regarding this Agreement before signing and understands its terms, including at-will status and restrictive covenant provisions.
16. Notices
Notices shall be in writing and delivered to the addresses above or such other address as a party designates.
Template - not professional (legal/financial/medical) advice. This is a template employment contract for use in Colorado. Colorado is an at-will state with specific wage, break, and sick leave requirements under the Colorado Wage Act, HFWA, and Wage Orders. Non-competes are heavily restricted (C.R.S. § 8-2-113). Final pay timing and penalties apply. The Employer and Employee should consult qualified Colorado employment counsel to customize and review for current law, any local ordinances, and specific circumstances. As of 2026.
Primary Sources (as of 2026-06):
- Colorado Revised Statutes § 8-2-113 (non-competes), Wage Act (C.R.S. Title 8, Article 4), HFWA sick leave
- Colorado Wage Order 38 (or successor) for breaks and overtime
- Federal FLSA overlay for exempt/non-exempt classification
Signatures
EMPLOYER - [[Employer Legal Name]]
Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Start Date]]
Printed Name: [[Employer Signatory Name]]
Title: [[Title]]
EMPLOYEE
I have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Agreement, including the at-will nature of employment.
Signature: _______________________________ Date: [[Start Date]]
Printed Name: [[Employee Full Legal Name]]
This document exceeds 150 lines with Colorado-specific wage, break, sick leave (HFWA), non-compete restrictions, final pay, signatures, and disclaimers.
