Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) is the state’s paid leave for caregivers and workers suffering an off-the-job injury or illness. The program provides eligible employees with partial wage replacement when they take leave for certain qualifying events. Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees may qualify for the benefits.
Employers can purchase policies through the state fund or through a private insurance carriers. Private plans must offer benefits equal to or better than the state plan, with premium costs the same or lower.
Benefits Duration and Qualifying Claims for FAMLI in Colorado
Employees can take up to 12 weeks, combined, paid family or medical leave within any 52-week period. Four additional weeks are allowed for a serious health condition during pregnancy or a childbirth complication.
As of January 1, 2026, parents can also take up to 12 weeks paid leave for a newborn child in a Neonatal Intensive care unit. These precede the 12 weeks permitted for bonding under the Colorado Parental Leave Law.
“Parents gain a clear path to the time they deserve to learn their baby’s unique needs, adjust to the pace of neonatal care, and use those skills at home with confidence,” according to the Colorado FAMLI division, part of the state’s Department of Labor and Employment.
Workers can qualify for a FAMLI claim to:
- Receive treatment or recover from their own serious illness or health condition
- Care for a family member with a serious health condition
- Bond with a newborn baby or adoption or foster child within the first year
- Military family member exigency leave
- Safe leave for cases of domestic violence
- Neonatal care (can be used consecutively prior to bonding leave for an additional 12 weeks)
What Colorado Employers Need to Know About Family Leave Insurance - Colorado PFL
The program is funded through employer and employee contributions. Premiums for the state plan equal 0.88% of the employee’s wage up to the social security maximum, typically split 0.44% by the employer and 0.44 by the employee.
In businesses with 10 or more employees, the employer must cover at least 50% of the total premium cost, but can opt to fund the whole amount.
Businesses with fewer than 10 employees do not have to cover the 0.44% employer share, but are responsible for remitting payments to the state for the employee’s share, collected through paycheck withholding of pre-tax dollars.
For 2026, the maximum amount an employee will pay toward FAMLI is $811.80 annually, based on the social security wage cap.
Maximum Benefits for Colorado Medical Leave and Family Leave Insurance
Colorado PML and FML pay 90% of an employee’s weekly earnings up to 50% of the state average weekly wage, then 50% of remaining weekly earnings up to the maximum benefit of $1,381 per week based on the 2026 statewide average weekly wage of $1,534.94.
Save with a Private Plan
Colorado business owners can opt to privatize FAMLI benefits, leading to cost savings and better service. The DBL Center is your expert source for private paid family and medical leave benefits across the US. Insurance brokers can help their clients write a private plan for Colorado FAMLI and roll premium cost savings into ancillary benefits.
