In November 2020, Colorado voters approved a ballot initiative for a state-run paid family leave benefits program. Under Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (“FAMLI”) program, employees and most employers will make contributions into the FAMLI fund, and employees may take 12 weeks of paid leave per year for certain family and medical reasons. Employees who suffer serious health conditions caused by pregnancy or childbirth complications may take up to 4 more weeks of paid leave per year for a total of 16 weeks.

Deductions from employee wages for contributions to the FAMLI program begin on January 1, 2023, and employees may begin taking FAMLI leave on January 1, 2024. Although employees cannot take leave until 2024, employers must notify employees of FAMLI benefits by January 1, 2023. Specifically, employers must post a poster available on the Colorado FAMLI Program website by January 1, 2023. The poster must be hung in a prominent and visible workplace location. For employers with remote employees, the poster should be shared electronically with employees.

Employers can also prepare for the FAMLI requirements by registering with the My FAMLI+ Employer online system through the Colorado FAMLI Program website. The first premium payments from employers are due April 30, 2023.