Colorado has introduced the first paid Neonatal Care Leave and it will begin on January 1, 2026. This is a new FAMLI benefit designed for parents whose newborn(s) needs intensive medical care immediately after birth. The Neonatal Care Leave is available for the days that the child is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in 2026 and beyond. The new law does not provide additional leave for time the child was in the NICU prior to 2026.
Additional 12 Weeks of Leave
Neonatal Care Leave provides up to 12 additional weeks of Colorado FAMLI benefits for parents whose newborn(s) requires care in a NICU or a higher level of care immediately after birth.
Different from Parental Bonding
Neonatal Care Leave is different from Parental Bonding Leave. Parental Bonding Leave is available for time with a newborn or new child while at home. Neonatal Care Leave will provide up to an additional 12 weeks of paid leave from the time an infant enters intensive care to the time that infant leaves intensive care. Parents may be able to take both Neonatal Care Leave and Parental Bonding Leave, one following the other, by filing separate claims in the My FAMLI+ portal.
You should discuss your circumstances with the FAMLI Division and they will advise on the specific claim applications that should be filed. For individual FAMLI specific questions, please call 1-866-CO-FAMLI (1-866-263-2654), Monday – Friday where Customer Care representatives can assist you from 7:30am - 4:30pm (MT).
A Few Points to Consider
If you are on a separate FAMLI claim for Medical Leave to Care for Yourself for your own pregnancy or recovery from childbirth, you may be able to cancel that claim and apply for Neonatal Care Leave if your newborn is receiving care in a NICU or a higher level of care immediately after birth. Neonatal Care Leave will provide up to an additional 12 weeks of paid leave for a newborn that needs intensive medical care immediately after their birth. This is in addition to the normal 12 weeks of FAMLI leave allowed per benefit year that you could use for both pregnancy/childbirth disability and new child bonding.
If you have already applied for or are receiving Parental Bonding Leave and your newborn is receiving care in a NICU, you may want to cancel the Parental Bonding Leave claim and file a separate claim for Neonatal Care Leave once your admission documentation is approved by the FAMLI Division.
Please review the Neonatal Care Leave on famili.colorado.gov for the certification documents that are required and the frequently asked questions, which include more detailed information.
Again, you should discuss your circumstances with the FAMLI Division and they will advise on the specific claim applications that should be filed. For individual FAMLI specific questions, please call 1-866-CO-FAMLI (1-866-263-2654), Monday – Friday where Customer Care representatives can assist you from 7:30am - 4:30pm (MT).
How to Apply
Visit the My FAMLI+ portal.
You will need to file a separate claim for Neonatal Care Leave if your newborn is receiving medical care in the NICU, and include the required certification documents. Each week, you’ll certify the hours you worked, even if that number is zero.
Once your baby is discharged from the NICU and your Neonatal Care Leave ends, you can file a separate claim for additional paid leave to bond with your new child (Parental Bonding Leave) to receive the regular FAMLI benefits.