Colorado expands FAMLI to include 12 weeks of neonatal care leave

On January 1, 2026, parents of newborns receiving inpatient care in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) will be eligible for up to 12 weeks of leave while their newborns are in the NICU. The leave is in addition to the 12 weeks of parental bonding leave already available under Colorado’s Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Act. Colorado is the first state to offer special neonatal care leave.

The FAMLI Division is currently engaging in the rulemaking process and has posted proposed amendments on its website, so the specifics of neonatal care leave are still coming into focus.

New for newborns

Neonatal care leave will be available to the parents of infants born before January 1, 2026, who are still receiving inpatient treatment in the NICU as of the new year. The leave benefit is only available, however, for qualifying absences from work on or after January 1, 2026.