Colorado Adds Paid Leave for Parents of Newborns in the NICU

Thanks to Senate Bill 144, signed by Governor Jared Polis, Colorado will become the first state in the nation to offer paid leave specifically for parents of newborns in neonatal intensive care (NICU), beginning January 1, 2026.

According to the National Institutes of Health, babies born at 24–25 weeks gestation spend over 100 days on average in the hospital. Under this new law, eligible employees may receive up to 12 additional weeks of paid leave—or up to 16 weeks if the birthing parent experiences pregnancy or childbirth complications.

This benefit expands the existing Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, launched in 2024. Additionally, the law lowers premiums for workers and employers from 0.9% to 0.88% of wages, also effective in 2026.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Earn at least $2,500 in wages during the last five completed calendar quarters.
• Employed for at least 180 days.

To learn more about Colorado’s FAMLI program, visit here.
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