Colorado’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance (CO FAMLI)
What Is CO FAMLI?
Colorado’s Family & Medical Leave Insurance is the state‑mandated program that provides eligible employees with partially paid time off for up to 12 weeks per benefit year for qualifying personal and family needs. Additional leave time available under specific circumstances listed below:
Eligible reasons for CO FAMLI benefits include:
- The employee’s own serious health condition
- Complications to pregnancy and/or childbirth may qualify for up to 4 extra weeks
- Bonding leave to care for a new child, including birth, adoption, or foster placement
- Neonatal Care – up to an additional 12 weeks for parents while their child is receiving inpatient neonatal care
- Caring for a family member with a serious health condition, including a:
- Child, spouse, sibling, parent
- Grandparent or grandchild
- Other individuals regardless of a biological or legal relationship with whom the employee has a significant personal and family-like bond
- Qualifying military exigency
- Safety for the employee or family member who is experiencing domestic abuse/violence, sexual assault/abuse or stalking.
What is the weekly paid benefit under CO FAMLI?
Through June 30, 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,381.45
Claims on or after July 1, 2026-June 30, 2027, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,448.02
CO FAMLI uses a fiscal year. The state’s average weekly wage and benefit calculations adjust every July 1.
The benefit calculation is tiered so that lower wage earners receive a higher wage replacement benefit. Below are the steps needed to calculate the individual’s benefit payment.
- Calculate the employee’s average weekly wage (AWW)
- Take the highest quarter in the base period divided by 13.
- Calculate weekly benefit
| FY 2027 CO SAWW: $1,608.91 (July 1-June 30 fiscal year) |
Example: $1,500/week gross pay |
|
| Tier 1 | 90% of the claimants AWW that is less than or equal to the 50% of CO State AWW. | 50% SAWW wages: $804.46 90% is $724.01 |
| Tier 2 | 50% of the claimant’s AWW that exceeds Tier 1 | Wages over Tier 1: $695.55 50% is $347.77 |
| Subtotal | Add Tiers 1 and 2 | $724.01 + $347.77 = $1,071.78 |
| Weekly Benefit | Is either the sum of Tier’s 1+2 or The maximum weekly benefit for that year. FY 2027 Max weekly benefit $1,448.02 |
Weekly benefits would be $1,071.78 |
Is CO FAMLI Job‑Protected?
Yes. CO FAMLI provides job protection once the employee has been with their current employer 180 days. It may run concurrently with the laws below, depending on employee eligibility.
- Federal FMLA – Family & Medical Leave Act
- CO FVA – Colorado Family Violence Act
Which employers are required to provide CO FAMLI?
Most private employers with one or more employees working in Colorado are covered under CO FAMLI and must provide benefits.
This requirement includes:
- Employees working in Colorado (not resident state)
- Remote workers whose work is based in Colorado
It does not include:
- The state or political subdivisions, or the federal government
- Local governments which includes county or city business, school districts, and special district authorities cannot have private plans.
How much does CO FAMLI cost?
CO FAMLI Public Plan
| Year | Rate | Payroll Cap | Premium due | ER Fund | EE Pay |
| FAMLI | SS Wage base | 50% | 50/5 | ||
| 2026 | 0.88% | $184,500 | $1,624 | $812 | $812 |
- FAMLI publishes the contribution rate each November
- Payroll is capped at the Social Security wage base published each October
- Contributions may be split 50/50 employer and employee‑paid via payroll deduction, or the employer may choose to fund benefits on behalf of their workers.
- Small employers with <9 Nationwide employees are not assessed as the employer portion of the contribution. They will remit the employee portion, which can be fully funded through payroll deductions.
Private Plan Alternative
- Private plans are individually underwritten
- Payroll deductions may be used but cannot exceed the public plan cost for employees. For 2026, that is 0.44% (which is 50% of the state’s rate)
What is a CO FAMLI Private Plan?
When Colorado employers register with the state, they are automatically enrolled in the CO FAMLI Public Plan
However, employers may instead comply through a state‑approved private plan.
A CO PFML private plan may be either fully insured or self‑insured and must:
- Provide the same or better benefits as the public plan
- Offer equal rights and protections to employees
- Cost employees no more than the state plan payroll deduction
The DBL Center works with a network of approved private plan carriers that offer compliant and cost‑effective solutions.
What Are the Advantages of a Private Plan?
Choosing a private plan may offer several advantages, including:
- Potential cost savings
- Plans are individually underwritten, similar to other insured employer benefits
- Employers receive an exemption from contributing to the state PFML fund
- Improved claims experience
- Faster claims turnaround times
- Direct access to dedicated claims professionals instead of call centers
- Employer‑level absence reporting
- Visibility into claim status and leave dates
- Especially helpful for tracking intermittent leave
How Do I Apply for a Private Plan?
The DBL Center team supports both you and your clients throughout the entire private plan process.
Step 1: Request a Private Plan Quote
We compare private plan pricing, benefits, and service levels against the state public plan.
Required census details include:
- All Colorado employees
- Gender
- Employment status (full‑time, part‑time, seasonal)
- Employee age
- Total Colorado wages (including overtime and bonuses)
Step 2: Select an Insurance Carrier
- A CO PFML Private plan policy will be issued.
Step 3: Apply for the State Exemption
Submit the private plan exemption application at MyFamili+Employer Login
- Here is the state’s My FAMLI+ Employer User Guide — Private Plans | Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)
- This is the same portal used for public plan administration
- A private plan application fee will be applied
- The state will issue:
- Approval confirmation
- Contribution exemption effective date
- Private plan approvals and contribution exemptions are granted for eight years
- CO FAMLI will send reminder notices for annual maintenance activities to keep your private plan compliant.
- Best Practice – CO PFML private plans are effective 60 days from time of application submission. If you apply mid-quarter, your clients will have to pay the CO FAMLI contribution for a partial quarter and private plans for a partial quarter. However, if you align your private plan to start at the beginning of a quarter, then it is a clean separation and the contribution exemption will align to the quarter break.
| Quarter 1
(begins January 1) |
Quarter 2
(begins April 1) |
Quarter 3
(begins July 1) |
Quarter 4
(begins October 1) |
|
| Private Plan application submission | November 1 | February 1 | May 1 | August 1 |
| Private plan Effective date | January 1 | April 1 | July 1 | October 1 |
Why choose DBL Center?
With 40 years of experience in state‑mandated disability and leave programs, the DBL Center is a trusted partner for navigating complex PFML requirements.
We provide:
- Expert support for PFML programs as the state continues to enhance their program year after year, making changes to employer annual compliance duties.
- Strategic review of state mandated benefits
- Access to competitive, compliant private plan options
- Ongoing service and support beyond the initial sale
- Net Revenue Tracker enabling Broker access to their renewals, cancellations and book of business from anywhere.
Our goal is to deliver cost‑effective solutions with a seamless experience for both employers and employees.