How many hours can a 15 year old work in Colorado during summer?

During summer or school breaks, a 15-year-old in Colorado can work up to 8 hr per day and 40 hr per week, time window 05:00 – 21:30.

Does a 15 year old need a work permit in Colorado?

No. Colorado does not require a state-issued work permit for 15-year-olds. Employers must keep proof of age on file.

CO · age-by-state job guide

What jobs can a 15 year old do in Colorado?

Q: What jobs can a 15 year old do in Colorado?

Yes — a 15-year-old can work in Colorado with the following limits during the school year: 3 hr per school day, 18 hr per week, time window 07:00 – 19:00. Work permit not required.

Quick answer for 15-year-olds in Colorado — what hours are legal, whether a work permit is required, and the most common allowed jobs. Built directly from Colorado state labor code.

Updated: 2026-06-03

Quick answer

Can a 15-year-old work?: Yes
Work permit: Not required
Minimum work age: 14+

Legal work hours

Colorado sets different hour caps depending on whether school is in session.

During the school year

Hours per school day: 3 hr
Hours per non-school day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 18 hr
Time window: 07:00 – 19:00

No work during school hours.

Summer / school breaks

Hours per day: 8 hr
Hours per week: 40 hr
Time window: 05:00 – 21:30

Colorado allows a 5:00 AM start on non-school days (earlier than the federal 7:00 AM) and a 9:30 PM evening cutoff.

Common allowed jobs for a 15-year-old

General age-appropriate jobs under federal FLSA. Colorado adds its own restricted-occupations list below — check that before accepting any job.

Lifeguard at a non-elevated traditional swimming pool
Colorado mirrors the federal 15+ threshold; elevated pools, water parks, and natural water stay 16+.
Retail cashier or sales clerk
Counter food-service or drive-thru (no flame cooking)
Office or clerical work
Tutoring younger students
Park, recreation, or community-center program assistant
Hand-tool yard work for neighbors
Newspaper delivery on a regular route

Restricted in Colorado

All federal hazardous orders HO-1 through HO-17(29 CFR Part 570)
Operating power-driven meat-processing machines(HO-10)
Roofing operations and work on or about a roof(HO-16)
Door-to-door sales for minors under 16(C.R.S. §8-12-110)
Marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, or sale (any minor)(C.R.S. §44-10-1101)
Retail liquor stores, marijuana dispensaries, casinos, and adult-entertainment venues (any minor under 18)(7 CCR 1103-20 (Youth Employment Standards Rules, eff. Feb. 1, 2026))

Other ages in Colorado

Same age, other states

Read the full Colorado rules

This page summarizes the rules for 15-year-olds. For all ages, age-band breakdown, statute citation, and DOL references, see the full state page.

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