About
The Payroll Department has been a trusted payroll and HR partner for over 700 businesses and organizations since 1993. Headquartered in Durango, Colorado, they serve a wide range of industries including craft breweries, regional hospitals, in-home care providers, non-profits, municipalities, and local 4-Corners businesses. Their service model is built around people-first principles — when you call, a real person who knows your business answers, with no phone trees or ticket systems. Core offerings include full-service Payroll & Tax processing, HR Services, Benefits Administration, Performance Management, Electronic Onboarding, Background Screening, Employee Handbooks, and Worker's Compensation support. Time and labor management is handled through ClockOn and isolved platforms, enabling workforce scheduling and labor cost tracking. The Payroll Department leverages AI tools internally to improve accuracy and efficiency, but positions human expertise and relationship-driven service as their primary differentiator against large national payroll processors. They are particularly well-suited for small to mid-sized businesses that value a responsive, accountable local partner over a faceless enterprise platform. Their Colorado Employer Hub, CPA contacts portal, and secure file transfer tools make them a comprehensive back-office HR resource for regional employers.
Key Features
- Full-Service Payroll & Tax Processing: Handles all aspects of payroll calculation, tax withholding, and compliance filings so businesses stay accurate and penalty-free.
- HR Services & Benefits Administration: Manages employee benefits programs, performance management workflows, and HR documentation including employee handbooks.
- Electronic Onboarding & Background Screening: Streamlines the hiring process with digital onboarding tools and integrated background checks through the Mineral platform.
- Time Keeping & Workforce Scheduling: ClockOn and isolved integrations provide real-time labor tracking, workforce scheduling, and labor cost management.
- Dedicated Human Support: Every client reaches a real person who knows their business — no call centers, no hold queues, no starting over with a new rep.
Use Cases
- A local Colorado restaurant group needs accurate bi-weekly payroll processing and tax filings without hiring an in-house HR team.
- A non-profit organization wants to streamline employee onboarding and benefits enrollment using a trusted local HR partner.
- A craft brewery in Durango needs workforce scheduling and time tracking integrated with payroll to manage seasonal staff fluctuations.
- A regional medical clinic requires background screening and compliant employee handbooks for new healthcare hires.
- A small town government seeks a reliable payroll partner who understands Colorado public sector compliance requirements.
Pros
- Genuine Human Relationships: Clients speak directly with knowledgeable staff who understand their business, eliminating the frustration of national call center models.
- Comprehensive Service Suite: Covers the full employee lifecycle — from hiring and onboarding to payroll, benefits, time tracking, and offboarding — under one roof.
- Deep Local & Industry Expertise: Over 33 years serving Colorado small businesses with specialized knowledge in sectors like healthcare, non-profits, and craft beverage.
- Proactive Partnership Approach: Offers guidance and advice aligned with client growth goals, not just transactional payroll volume processing.
Cons
- Primarily Regional Focus: Best suited for businesses in Colorado and the Mountain West; may not be ideal for companies with distributed, multi-state operations outside the region.
- Not a Self-Service Software Platform: Unlike DIY payroll tools (e.g., Gusto or Run by ADP), this is a managed service — businesses that prefer full software control may find it less flexible.
- Pricing Not Publicly Listed: Service costs are not transparent on the website, requiring a direct consultation to get a quote, which may slow initial evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of businesses does The Payroll Department serve?
They serve a wide range of organizations including craft breweries, regional hospitals, in-home care agencies, non-profits, towns and counties, and general local small businesses across the 4-Corners region of Colorado.
What payroll software platforms do they use?
The Payroll Department uses isolved and ClockOn platforms for payroll processing, employee self-service, timekeeping, and workforce scheduling. Clients receive login portals for both employer and employee access.
How is The Payroll Department different from national providers like ADP or Paychex?
Unlike national providers, The Payroll Department assigns dedicated staff who know your business personally. There are no phone trees or ticket systems — you reach a real person every time you call, and they provide proactive advice rather than just processing transactions.
Do they handle HR services beyond just payroll?
Yes. In addition to payroll and tax processing, they offer HR services, benefits administration, performance management, electronic onboarding, background screening, worker's compensation support, and employee handbook creation.
How do I get started with The Payroll Department?
You can call them directly at 970-259-6960 or use the 'Get Started' option on their website to begin a consultation. There are no online sign-up flows — their onboarding process is handled personally by their team.
