Colorado Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI)

The Colorado FAMLI program will provide all eligible employees a portion of their weekly salary for up to 12 weeks of leave to care for themselves or a family member, with an additional four weeks of leave for complications during pregnancy or childbirth.

FAMLI aims to ensure that Coloradoans don’t have to choose between earning a paycheck or caring for themselves or their family in a time of need. It can be used by all employees who reside in Colorado, including faculty, staff, student employees, and graduate students.

FAMLI will provide 12-16 weeks of paid leave for the following events:

To manage their own serious health condition.
To care for a family member with a serious health condition.
To care for a new child (within the first year of birth, foster placement or adoption).
To make arrangements for military deployments.
To address immediate safety needs and impact of domestic violence or sexual assault.

FAMLI FAQ

What is FAMLI?

Colorado voters passed Proposition 118 in November 2020, approving the creation of the Family and Medicare Leave Insurance Program. It passed with 57.75% of voters supporting the initiative.

This social insurance program provides all Colorado workers a portion of their weekly salary for up to 12 weeks to care themselves or their families, with an additional four weeks of leave for pregnancy or childbirth complications.
Who is eligible to apply for FAMLI Leave?

FAMLI leave can be used by all employees who reside in Colorado, including faculty, staff, student employees working and living in Colorado who earn wages of at least

$2,500.

Employees working and living in Colorado who earn wages through DU’s payroll will see an after-tax deduction in each paycheck. This includes non-benefited employees, student employees, and graduate assistants.

Employees are eligible for FAMLI payments on day one of employment provided they have at least $2,500 from another employer in the State of Colorado. Employees may receive job protection through FAMLI after 180 days of employment.
Can I opt out?

No. Individual employees in Colorado may not opt out of participating in FAMLI.
I live and work outside of Colorado. Can I use FAMLI leave?

FAMLI leave only applies to in-state employees. Out-of-state employees do not pay the premium deduction and must use their state’s family medical leave policies, if available.
When can I use FAMLI leave?

FAMLI will begin providing benefits on January 1, 2024.

You can apply for FAMLI leave prior to January 1, 2024 if you are expecting a qualified leave of absence in 2024.

Application processes and procedures to follow.
Who qualifies as a family member for FAMLI leave purposes?

Understanding that families are not always traditional, family members include a covered individual’s child, parent, spouse, domestic partner, grandparent, grandchild, sibling or someone with whom they have a significant personal bond.
How often can I use FAMLI?

Employees are allowed 12 weeks of partial wage replacement through FAMLI every rolling 12-month period.
How does FAMLI work with other leave programs?
FAMLI may either run concurrently or in conjunction with other leave programs:
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA): FMLA is a federal program that provides job protection for 12 weeks per rolling 12 months. FMLA will run concurrently with FAMLI when the need for leave meets the FMLA requirements.
- Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave runs concurrently with FAMLI and FMLA.
- Short-Term Disability: Provides up to 60% of pre-disability pay for up to 13 weeks – with 2 weeks elimination period. If enrolled in short-term disability, it will run concurrently with FAMLI and FMLA.
- Vacation and Sick Leave: Accrued through benefited employment, this leave can be used in conjunction with FAMLI, FMLA, STD and Parental Leave.
What is the difference between FAMLI vs. FMLA?
How will the FAMLI Program be funded?

The FAMLI Program will be funded by both the University and the employee. Employee premiums are set 0.45% of the employee’s wage. Premiums will be deducted post-tax (will not reduce an employee’s taxable income).