What's FAMLI?
Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 in November of 2020, creating a state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. The FAMLI program provides all Colorado workers access to paid leave in order to take care of themselves or their families during life circumstances that pull them away from their jobs. FAMLI will be available starting on January 1, 2024, and contributions to the program are paid by the employee and the employer. Contributions begin January 1, 2023.
Why opt-out?
Larimer County currently provides a greater benefit to employees at no cost to the employee, and significantly less cost to the County. Opting out is not permanent, and can be reviewed annually in case circumstances change. At this time it is in the best interest of our employees to opt-out.
Larimer County provides employees with sick leave (accrues per pay period and has no cap) and disability benefits (short and long-term) all at no cost to the employee.
Here is a table summarizing FAMLI and Larimer County Disability benefits:
| FAMLI | Larimer County | |
| General Description | The Colorado Family Care Act program provides Colorado employees with up to 12 weeks of partial pay and job security for various family and medical related absences from work, plus an additional four (4) weeks of paid leave if workers have serious health condition related to pregnancy or childbirth complications. | Employee Disability Leave Benefit/Group Disability Income Insurance provides employees with benefits to replace part of their paycheck when they can't work because of a sickness or injury. Depending on the nature of the illness/injury, benefits may be payable up until social security normal retirement age. |
| Eligibility |
Employees who've earned at least $2,500 in wages within the State within the last four (4) calendar quarters. Self-Employed Workers (1099 or Contract Workers) may also be eligible if they have opted into coverage, and live and work in Colorado. |
All regular and limited-term, benefited employees working at least 20 hours per week. |
| Weekly Benefit |
90% of the state average weekly wage for the portion of wages equal to or less than 50% of the state average weekly wage; and 50% of the portion of the wages that exceeds the state average weekly wage; with a weekly maximum cap of $1,100. |
60% of pre-disability earnings with a weekly maximum cap of $1,250. |
| Duration |
Depending on the reason and need for leave, the benefit leave period may be up to 12 weeks. For people experiencing pregnancy and childbirth complications, this may be extended an additional four (4) weeks, for a total of 16 weeks. The FAMLI benefit can only be taken once a year across a rolling annual calendar year. |
Depending on the reason and need for leave, the STD benefit leave period may be up to 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, if medically necessary, LTD benefits would begin. No limit on the number of STD claims per year, if medically necessary. |
| Premium |
0.9% of employee's wages. Split 50/50 between employee and employer. Estimated annual amount: $1,392,576 ($696,288 ER) |
Flat premium amount per $100 of employees wages; paid 100% by employer. Estimated annual amount: $220,659 |
Employees have the option to individually opt in to FAMLI directly with the state FAMLI Agency if they feel it would be of benefit to them. By opting in you committ to three years. To participate, an employee must notify the agency, and pay the employee portion of the premium directly to them (.45% of the employee’s wages in 2023).
Because Larimer County has opted out of FAMLI, if an individual employee opts into FAMLI, it is their responsibility to provide any required information directly to FAMLI. The County allows employees to supplement FAMLI benefits with sick and vacation leave. If FAMLI requires any documentation of the use of sick or vacation leave, it is the employee's sole responsibility to provide that information.
If you choose to voluntarily opt in for three years of coverage, you will need to register in My FAMLI+ Employer as an employee of an opted-out local government employer in order to submit your wage reports and pay your FAMLI premiums.
- Your premiums will be 0.45% of your wages.
- When you self-elect FAMLI coverage, you must commit to paying premiums for three years.
- While there is no open enrollment period, you will need one-quarter of coverage before you can collect FAMLI benefit payments. When registering in My FAMLI+ Employer, you may elect a retroactive coverage period to apply for FAMLI leave that will become available as early as January 2024. If you elect a retroactive coverage period, your first premium payment will be due on the next quarterly reporting deadline for employers (the last day of the month following the end of the quarter: January 31, April 30, July 31, and October 31).
