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How does Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (CO FAMLI) work?

Getting the pay and protection you're entitled to in Colorado

 

Quick answer
 CO FAMLI applies to almost all Colorado employers with at least one qualifying employee. It provides up to 12 weeks (16 weeks for eligible pregnancy or childbirth complications) of partial wage replacement per year, plus job protection for employees who've worked at least 180 days, for a range of qualifying events including the employee's own serious health condition, caring for a family member, bonding with a new child, safe leave, and NICU care.

Who this applies to / Prerequisites

  • Almost all Colorado employers with at least one qualifying employee working in Colorado, with limited exceptions.
  • For wage replacement: the employee's job must be based in Colorado, and they must have earned at least $2,500 in wages during the base period.
  • For job and benefit protection: the employee must have also worked at least 180 days prior to the start of leave.

Key facts

  1. CO FAMLI provides up to 12 weeks of partial wage replacement per year for: the employee's own serious health condition, including pregnancy; caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including pregnancy; the birth of a child and bonding within a year of birth; the placement of a child for adoption or foster care and bonding within a year of placement; a qualifying military exigency; safe leave for domestic violence, stalking, or sexual assault/abuse; or time during which the employee's child receives NICU care.
  2. Eligible employees needing leave for pregnancy or childbirth complications may use an additional 4 weeks (16 weeks total), but only if a healthcare provider certifies a serious health condition caused by the complication — routine pregnancy, childbirth, or C-sections do not automatically qualify. These additional 4 weeks can only be used during the complication and do not extend bonding leave.
  3. Eligible employees can receive 12 weeks of NICU leave in addition to 12 weeks of leave for any other CO FAMLI reason.
  4. CO FAMLI defines "family member" broadly, including a child (or child of a spouse/domestic partner) regardless of age; parent (or parent of a spouse/domestic partner); spouse or domestic partner; grandparent or grandchild (including of a spouse/domestic partner); sibling (including of a spouse/domestic partner); or any individual with a significant personal bond that is or is like a family relationship, regardless of biological or legal relationship.
  5. Employees receive up to 90% of their wages during leave, on a sliding scale proportional to Colorado's average weekly wage. As of July 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,448.02.
  6. The program is funded through premiums paid by both employers and employees; if the employer doesn't cover the employee's portion, a small payroll deduction appears on paystubs as "Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave - Employee." Exceptions exist for some smaller employers.
  7. Colorado pays employees directly (debit card or direct deposit) unless the employer uses a private plan; employees apply directly to the state for benefits in that case.
  8. There is no waiting period for CO FAMLI, and leave can be used intermittently if needed.
  9. CO FAMLI runs concurrently with FMLA and CFCA when applicable.

What if it doesn't work

  • I'm not sure if I qualify for the extended 16-week benefit: This requires healthcare provider certification of a serious health condition caused by a pregnancy or childbirth complication — contact your Leave Success Manager with questions.
  • I'm not sure how my payments will arrive: Check whether your employer uses a private plan or the state program.
  • If none of these apply, contact your Leave Success Manager (employees) or Customer Success Manager (HR teams).

Limits and exceptions

  • Wage replacement eligibility requires at least $2,500 in wages during the base period; job and benefit protection additionally requires at least 180 days worked.
  • The extended 4-week pregnancy/childbirth complication benefit is not automatic and does not extend bonding leave.
  • The maximum weekly benefit figure ($1,448.02) is current as of July 2026 and may change.

Related questions

  • How does the Colorado Family Care Act (CFCA) work?
  • What other Colorado leave laws does Tilt support?