Colorado has a comprehensive paid family and medical leave program (FAMLI) and robust sick leave requirements, making it one of the more regulated states for employer leave obligations.

Paid Sick Leave

Yes — Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)

Paid Family Leave

Yes — FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance)

Paid Sick Leave

Program Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA)

Accrual 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked.

Maximum Up to 48 hours per year.

Eligibility All employees, including part-time, temporary, and seasonal workers.

Use-It-or-Lose-It No — unused sick leave carries forward up to 48 hours.

Sick leave can be used for the employee's or family member's illness, preventive care, domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, or public health emergency closures.

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Program FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance)

Duration Up to 12 weeks for family leave, 12 weeks for medical leave, or 16 weeks combined. Additional 4 weeks for pregnancy complications.

Pay Rate Up to 90% of wages for lower-income workers, with a maximum weekly benefit.

Funding Funded through payroll contributions (employer pays 50%, employee pays 50%). Employers with fewer than 10 employees are not required to pay the employer share.

Eligibility Employees who have earned at least $2,500 in wages in Colorado.

FAMLI covers bonding, caring for a family member, the employee's own serious health condition, safe leave for domestic violence, and military family leave.

Unpaid Family & Medical Leave

Program Federal FMLA + Colorado Family Care Act

Duration Up to 12 weeks under FMLA.

Eligibility FMLA: employers with 50+ employees, 12 months and 1,250 hours.

Colorado's Family Care Act requires employers who provide leave for the employee's own condition to provide the same leave for the employee's family members.

Jury Duty Leave

Program Colorado Revised Statutes Section 13-71-134

Paid? No — employers are not required to pay, but cannot penalize employees.

Employers must allow employees to serve on a jury. Employers cannot terminate or penalize employees for jury service.

Voting Leave

Program Colorado Revised Statutes Section 1-7-102

Paid? Yes — up to 2 hours of paid time off.

Employees who do not have sufficient time outside working hours to vote are entitled to up to 2 hours of paid time off.

School Activity Leave

Program Colorado Revised Statutes Section 8-13.5-101

Duration Up to 6 hours per month.

Eligibility Parents of children enrolled in K-12.

Paid? Unpaid, but employees may use accrued leave.

Leave is for attending school activities, emergencies, or meetings.

Domestic Violence Leave

Program Colorado Domestic Violence Leave Statute

Duration Reasonable time off for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking.

Eligibility All employees who are victims.

Paid? Unpaid, but employees may use accrued paid leave.

Leave can be used for medical care, legal proceedings, counseling, safety planning, or relocation.

Military Leave

Program Colorado Revised Statutes Section 28-3-613

Employees who are members of the National Guard or reserves are entitled to military leave.

Other Leave

Bereavement Leave

Not statutorily required.

Sources

This page is provided for general guidance and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the cited sources for current law before making employment decisions.

Colorado Leave Law Summary for Employers (2026)

Paid Sick Leave

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Unpaid Family & Medical Leave

Jury Duty Leave

Voting Leave

School Activity Leave

Domestic Violence Leave

Military Leave

Other Leave

Bereavement Leave

Sources

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