Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave

Covered Leaves and Durations

Weekly Benefit Amount

Benefit Calculation: 

• 90% of wages that do not exceed 50% of the state’s average weekly wage, plus 
• 50% of wages that exceed 50% of the state average weekly wage 

Maximum Weekly Benefit: $1,100  

State Average Weekly Wage: $1,421.16 

Waiting Period

There is no waiting period. Benefits are payable as of the first day of covered leave.

Intermittent Leaves

A covered individual will be able to take intermittent leave in increments of either one hour or shorter periods if consistent with the increments the employer typically uses to measure employee leave. 

Benefits will be payable after the covered individual accumulated at least eight hours of PFML insurance benefits.

Covered Employees

The definition of a “covered individual” includes employees and others who elect coverage, including those who:

• Earned at least $2,500 in wages subject to PFML premiums during the person’s base period or alternative base period
• Elect coverage and meet the requirements — such as an employee of a local government that declined to take part in the program or a self-employed person

Family Members

Covered employees may take family leave to care for:

• A child, regardless of age, including a biological, adopted or foster child; stepchild or legal ward; child of a domestic partner; or a loco parentis relationship 
• A biological, adoptive or foster parent; stepparent or legal guardian of a covered individual or the covered individuals’ spouse or domestic partner; or a person who stood in loco parentis to the covered person or their spouse or partner
• A spouse or domestic partner
• A grandparent, grandchild or sibling (biological, foster, adoptive or step relationship) of the covered individual or their spouse or domestic partner
• Any other individual with whom the covered individual has a significant bond that is or is like a family relationship

Plan Options

Employers may use the state-run plan or offer an approved, privately paid family and medical leave plan. 

The Standard can help you meet or exceed the requirements for a private plan. Learn more about our leave management services.

Funding

The state program is funded by a 0.9% payroll tax split evenly between employers and employees through payroll deductions, up to the Social Security taxable wage base of $168,600.

Additional Information Employers Need to Know

This program will provide employment protection to covered employees who work for their current employer for at least 180 days before using PFML benefits. 

More Information

We’ll continue to update this page as legislation develops. You can also get email updates by subscribing to our Paid Family Leave Blog.

If you'd like to see how we can help you comply with leave laws, check out our leave management services. We offer both absence management and benefits administration so you can focus your time where you need it most.