A human resource of a company or organization is generally an employee, and the department that communicates with employees and manages employee-related issues—including job applications, job interviews, drug tests, employment offers, wages, benefits, paid time off (PTO), unpaid leave, employee reviews, termination of employment, and unemployment insurance claims—is often known as the human resources department, or human resources, or simply HR. An employer’s human resources department may consist of one person in a smaller organization or many persons in a larger organization, and is often headed by a human resources manager or human resources director.

In Colorado, the human resources (HR) department of a company or organization is responsible for managing a wide range of employee-related functions. These functions include handling job applications, conducting job interviews, administering drug tests, making employment offers, and managing wages, benefits, and paid time off (PTO). HR also oversees unpaid leave, employee reviews, termination of employment, and processes related to unemployment insurance claims. The size and structure of an HR department can vary, with smaller organizations possibly having a single HR professional, while larger ones may have a full team. The department is typically led by a human resources manager or director. Colorado state statutes and federal laws govern various aspects of employment, such as anti-discrimination laws, wage and hour laws, and laws pertaining to employee leave, such as the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA) and the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Employers in Colorado must comply with these regulations in their HR practices to ensure lawful and fair treatment of employees.