Fourteen-year-olds in Colorado are permitted to enter the workforce, offering them an opportunity to gain valuable experience and earn income. Employment is governed by legal boundaries designed to protect the minor’s safety, health, and education. These regulations establish clear limits on the types of jobs, maximum hours, and times of day they can work. Understanding the specific requirements set forth by both state and federal law is essential for securing a first job in the state.
The Legal Requirements for 14-Year-Old Workers
Employment for minors in Colorado is governed by a dual system of regulation, primarily consisting of the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and the state’s Colorado Youth Employment Opportunity Act (CYEOA). When federal and state laws overlap, the employer is legally obligated to follow the more protective or restrictive standard.
Colorado state law does not mandate a general work permit or employment certificate for minors under 18. However, an employer may request an Age Certificate. This document is issued by the local school district superintendent or their designated agent to formally verify the minor’s age before hiring and ensure compliance with task restrictions.
A specific permit, known as a School Release Permit, is necessary if a 14- or 15-year-old intends to work on a school day during school hours. This permit must be secured from the school district superintendent, their agent, or another person designated by the board of education. This requirement reflects the state’s priority on the minor’s educational attendance.
What Jobs Are Permitted for 14-Year-Olds?
The law limits 14-year-olds to light, non-hazardous occupations, generally falling within the retail, food service, office, and entertainment industries. This framework allows teenagers to develop foundational work skills under supervision without being exposed to dangerous equipment or environments. Many common entry-level positions are available.
Permissible roles include:
Working in the food service industry as a cashier, dining room attendant, or food preparation assistant. Tasks include busing tables, cleaning produce, and preparing food items without power-driven equipment.
Working in retail stores, involving bagging groceries, stocking shelves, cashiering, and cleaning the premises.
Performing general office and clerical tasks, such as running errands by foot, bicycle, or public transportation, and performing janitorial services.
Engaging in light outdoor work, such as grounds maintenance or non-hazardous repair work. These tasks must not involve power-driven machinery or require working at excessive heights.
Exceptions also allow employment as actors, models, or performers in theatrical productions. Work done for a parent or guardian in a family-owned business is also permitted under specific conditions. Traditional non-hazardous jobs, such as caddying on golf courses or yard work without power-driven equipment, are allowed.
Jobs That Are Always Prohibited
Both federal and state law prohibit 14-year-olds from working in occupations deemed hazardous or dangerous to their safety, health, or well-being. Any job that involves operating or tending to power-driven machinery is generally forbidden, with the exception of certain office machines.
Prohibited occupations include:
Manufacturing, mining, or processing occupations.
Construction, roofing, or excavation operations.
Work connected with transportation of persons or property, warehousing, storage, and public messenger service.
Working in or about boiler or engine rooms.
Operating power-driven food preparation devices like meat slicers, grinders, and bakery machines.
Any occupation involving exposure to radioactive substances, power-driven hoisting apparatus, or the manufacturing and storing of explosives.
These boundaries define the scope of acceptable employment.
Understanding Work Hour and Time Restrictions
The maximum hours a 14-year-old can work change significantly depending on whether school is in session. The restrictions are designed to ensure that employment does not interfere with the minor’s education. When school is in session, the limits are restrictive to allow minors adequate time for schoolwork and rest.
When School Is In Session
During any week when school is in session, a 14-year-old may not work more than three hours on a school day, including Fridays, and is limited to a maximum of 18 total hours per week. Work must be performed outside of school hours, generally restricted to between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. The employer must adhere to the stricter state limit.
When School Is Not In Session
When school is not in session, such as during summer vacation or school breaks, the maximum allowable hours increase. A 14-year-old may work up to eight hours per day and a maximum of 40 hours per week. The evening hour restriction is also extended, allowing work until 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day.
Steps to Secure Employment
Securing employment begins with preparing necessary materials. A simple resume should be developed, focusing on transferable skills gleaned from volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and school projects. This document helps local employers understand the teenager’s reliability and basic competencies.
The job seeker should research local businesses, particularly small employers in the retail and food service sectors, as these often have more flexibility to hire minors under the age of 16. The teenager should approach these businesses directly, inquire about open positions, and present themselves professionally.
If an interview is secured, preparation is key, including practicing responses to common questions and clearly articulating interest in the position. Upon being hired, the new employee and their parent or guardian must complete all necessary tax forms, such as the IRS Form W-4, which determines the amount of federal and state income tax withheld.