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Paid Leave in Colorado

Colorado requires paid sick leave under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA, C.R.S. § 8-13.3-401 et seq.) — employees accrue 1 hour per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year. Colorado also has paid family and medical leave through the state FAMLI program (C.R.S. § 8-13.3-501 et seq.), which provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks for family or medical reasons; benefits began in 2024.

By Find Local Law Editorial Team · Last reviewed: May 26, 2026

Researched and drafted with AI assistance and verified against primary sources (statutes, Judicial Council forms, and official court websites). This is general information, not legal advice.

This is general information, not legal advice. Leave eligibility and amounts depend on your facts — talk to a Colorado attorney about your situation.

Colorado guarantees two distinct kinds of paid time off: short-term sick leave that accrues as you work, and longer family and medical leave funded as insurance.

Under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA, C.R.S. § 8-13.3-401 et seq.), employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year. This leave builds up steadily as you work.

Colorado also has paid family and medical leave through the state FAMLI program (C.R.S. § 8-13.3-501 et seq.). FAMLI provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks for family or medical reasons, and benefits began in 2024.

Two separate programs

HFWA and FAMLI are not the same. HFWA is short-term sick leave that accrues hour by hour; FAMLI is a state insurance program for longer family or medical leave. You may have rights under both.

How your pay is calculated is covered in our wages and overtime guide. For the full picture, start at the Colorado employment law hub. To get matched with a local Colorado employment attorney, connect with a lawyer.

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Frequently asked questions

How much paid sick leave do I earn in Colorado?
Under the Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA, C.R.S. § 8-13.3-401 et seq.), employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year.
What is FAMLI in Colorado?
FAMLI is Colorado's paid family and medical leave program (C.R.S. § 8-13.3-501 et seq.). It provides partial wage replacement for up to 12 weeks for family or medical reasons. Benefits began in 2024.
Are HFWA and FAMLI the same thing?
No. HFWA is paid sick leave that accrues as you work, while FAMLI is a state insurance program providing partial wage replacement for longer family or medical leave. They are separate programs.

Sources

Related guides

  • Colorado At-Will Employment Colorado follows the at-will employment doctrine — a court-recognized common-law rule, not a single statute. Either party may end the employment at any time for any lawful reason. The key limit: you cannot be fired for an illegal reason, such as unlawful discrimination, retaliation for protected activity, or a discharge that violates public policy.
  • Colorado Minimum Wage Colorado's minimum wage is set by the state constitution (Colo. Const. Art. XVIII, § 15) and adjusted annually for inflation (CPI), with the new rate announced each fall and effective January 1, by the Colorado Division of Labor. Some localities, such as Denver, set higher local minimum wages. Because the rate changes every year, always check the current figure.
  • Colorado Wages and Overtime Colorado has its own overtime rules under the COMPS Order (7 CCR 1103-1) — covered employees earn time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a week, over 12 in a day, or 12 consecutive hours, whichever yields the greater pay. This daily trigger is broader than the federal FLSA. Under the Colorado Wage Act (C.R.S. § 8-4-109), final wages are due immediately if you're fired, or the next regular payday if you quit.
  • Workplace Discrimination in Colorado The Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act (CADA), C.R.S. § 24-34-402, prohibits employment discrimination based on disability, race (including protective hairstyles), creed, color, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, religion, age, national origin, and ancestry. It's enforced by the Colorado Civil Rights Division, the 2024 POWR Act modernized it, and federal laws also apply.

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