The University of Colorado has announced that nonexempt employees, who are eligible for federal overtime, will shift from a monthly to a biweekly pay schedule starting September 27, 2026. This change is part of the university’s broader Time and Labor project aimed at improving payroll processes.
According to the university, this adjustment is intended to enhance payroll accuracy, reduce manual corrections, and ensure more timely payments for overtime work. The new system will also standardize timekeeping practices across all CU campuses and align with industry standards for payroll and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance.
Nonexempt employees will be paid in arrears under the new schedule, meaning they will receive their pay approximately two weeks after hours are worked. Pay rates and total compensation will remain unchanged. To assist with the transition, affected employees will receive a one-time payment to bridge the gap between their last monthly paycheck on September 30 and their first biweekly paycheck on October 23.
The university explained: “The university is adjusting pay and timekeeping processes to: Improve payroll accuracy and reduce manual corrections; Reduce the lag time between earning federal overtime and being paid earned federal overtime; Improve the timeliness of first paychecks for newly hired employees; Allow leave taken in a pay period to be fully processed before payroll runs, aligning how leave balances are reflected on paystubs; Standardize timekeeping practices across all CU campuses; Continue to align with industry standards for payroll and Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) compliance.”
All employee leave—regardless of FLSA status—will be processed within the same pay period as it occurs beginning September 27. Supervisors have already been informed about these changes prior to notifying staff directly.
Exempt employees at CU will continue receiving monthly payments but may have an option in 2027 to switch to biweekly pay depending on campus-specific decisions. New hires after September 27, both exempt and nonexempt (except nine-month faculty or certain graduate assistants), will start on a biweekly schedule.
Employees can find ongoing updates and resources regarding this transition on the Payday Schedule Change webpage or by contacting their campus HR teams.
