CO · Parental leave programs 2026
Parental leave in Colorado: up to $1,448.02 a week
Colorado FAMLI pays up to $1,448.02 per week for 12 weeks, plus 4 extra weeks for pregnancy complications. Administered by the FAMLI Division.
Weekly maximum
$1,448.02
Maximum weeks
12 (+4 pregnancy complications)
Wage replacement
up to 90%
Quick answers
Eight questions most Colorado parents ask
- Who qualifies for maternity leave in Colorado?
- W-2 employees who earned at least $2,500 in Colorado during the qualifying period and had FAMLI contributions withheld. You must currently work for a Colorado employer or have recently become unemployed.
- How much does maternity leave pay in Colorado?
- $1,448.02 per week in 2026. FAMLI pays 90% of your average weekly wage up to half the state average weekly wage, then 50% above that. Colorado resets this cap on July 1, not January 1.
- How long is maternity leave in Colorado?
- 12 weeks of bonding leave per benefit year, plus 4 additional weeks for serious pregnancy complications with medical certification, so up to 16 weeks total.
- Does FMLA cover maternity leave in Colorado?
- Runs concurrently with federal FMLA when both apply. FAMLI is the money; FMLA is the job protection. They are separate things and you generally use them at the same time.
- Does short-term disability cover maternity leave in Colorado?
- Colorado has no state short-term disability program, so postpartum medical recovery runs through FAMLI itself or through an employer STD policy. Ask HR whether their STD offsets, tops up, or stacks with FAMLI.
- Can both parents take parental leave in Colorado?
- Yes. Both parents can claim FAMLI for bonding with the same child, each up to 12 weeks. Sequencing them rather than overlapping usually maximizes household coverage.
- What mistakes do parents make with maternity leave in Colorado?
- Not checking whether your employer uses an approved private plan, which changes where you file. Not requesting the 4-week pregnancy-complication extension, which is worth thousands. Confusing FAMLI with FMLA.
- How does Parental Leave Pro help?
- Free intake checks FAMLI alongside federal FMLA, your employer policy, and any STD coverage, calculates your weekly benefit, builds the filing timeline, and writes the HR email that settles the coordination question.
Programs that apply in Colorado
Colorado FAMLI
Complete state guide with 2026 rates, filing timeline, and coordination rules.
Read the full guide →Federal FMLA
Unpaid job protection. 12 weeks. Requires 12 months tenure and 1,250 hours.
How FMLA and PFML differ →Short-term disability
Employer-provided or state-run STD covers medical recovery. Filed separately from state PFML.
STD vs PFML →Employer policy coordination
Your employer's leave policy is stacked, supplemental, or offset with state PFML. The difference is often $10K-$20K.
How coordination works →Get your Colorado-specific plan
The free check takes about 60 seconds.
Runs eligibility across every program above, calculates your specific dollar amount, and writes the HR email that confirms your employer policy's coordination pattern.
Related state programs
CA
Parental leave in California
California uniquely sequences State Disability Insurance for medical recovery into Paid Family Leave for bonding. Both cap at the same $1,765 weekly maximum, and EDD handles the handoff automatically if you file SDI first.
OR
Parental leave in Oregon
Oregon Paid Leave pays up to $1,692.16 per week, second only to California. Its real distinction is the replacement rate: low-wage workers can receive up to 100% of their pay, which no other state matches.
WA
Parental leave in Washington
Washington's PFML pays up to $1,647 per week. Separate 12-week caps for family and medical leave, with a combined 16-week annual cap in most cases.
Educational content. Not legal, tax, HR, or financial advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with the applicable state agency, your employer, or a qualified advisor.