Colorado Paid Family & Medical Leave — What’s Changing in 2026
Colorado already has one of the more robust paid leave programs in the country. Starting in 2026, a few meaningful updates will make it even more supportive for families — especially during some of the hardest moments.
This isn’t a brand-new program. It’s an evolution of what already exists.
First, a Quick Refresher
Colorado’s Paid Family & Medical Leave (often called FAMLI) allows eligible workers to take paid time off for things like:
Their own serious health condition
Caring for a family member with a serious health condition
Bonding with a new child
Certain military-related needs
Most people can take up to 12 weeks of paid leave in a year.
What’s Changing in 2026
1. New NICU Leave Protections
One of the biggest updates is expanded support for families with babies in the NICU.
Starting in 2026:
Parents with a child in the NICU may qualify for additional paid leave time
This leave is specifically meant to support bonding and caregiving during prolonged hospital stays
For families navigating premature birth or serious medical complications, this matters — a lot. NICU time is emotionally exhausting, financially stressful, and often unpredictable. This change recognizes that reality.
2. Lower Payroll Contributions
Another important update: payroll contribution rates are decreasing.
That means:
Employees will see a slightly smaller deduction from their paycheck
Employers will also pay less overall
The program remains fully funded — but with improved efficiency, the cost to workers is going down.
This is one of those changes that doesn’t feel flashy, but it matters over time, especially for lower-income workers.
What Isn’t Changing
Covered reasons for leave largely stay the same
The program remains a state-run paid benefit, not employer-provided PTO
Job protection rules continue under the existing framework
Why This Matters
Colorado’s updates reflect a broader shift we’re seeing across the country: paid leave programs becoming more humane and more realistic.
NICU time doesn’t fit neatly into a standard leave window. Medical crises don’t follow calendars. And paid leave only works if people can actually afford to participate.
These changes move the program closer to what families truly need.
If you’re planning for a child, managing a chronic condition, or supporting someone you love — this is the kind of policy update worth knowing about before you need it.
