Colorado state employees will have access to a Paid Family Medical Leave program starting January 2021, Gov. Jared Polis office announced Monday.
The new program will be the first time state employees have access to pay if they need to care for a loved one, recover from a serious illness or be at home with a new child. I am proud to say that Paid Leave will now be a reality for State Employees, many of whom have worked day and night during this past year to ensure that we can save the lives of Coloradans and come out stronger from this public health crisis,” Polis said in a news release.
Kevin J. Beaty/Denverite
Gov. Jared Polis holds a press conference at the Governor s Mansion in Capitol Hill, Nov. 17, 2020.
Beginning Jan. 1, state employees will receive two weeks of paid family and medical leave under a new rule from the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration. Gov. Jared Polis notified state employees of the benefit in a letter sent on Dec. 21. The rule applies to people who have worked for the state for a minimum of 12 months.
“The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the need for this type of program as many state employees are juggling the challenges of providing services to Coloradans, dealing with a life-altering event, and taking care of themselves and their families,” Polis wrote.
Polis announces paid family medical leave for state employees Eli Kirshbaum | Dec 21, 2020
Share this:
Gov. Jared Polis announced a new paid family medical leave program for state employees in a press release on Monday. A first of its kind for the state, Colorado’s Paid Family Medical Leave program was created in partnership with Colorado WINS and will be implemented in January 2021. It will make state employees eligible for paid leave to care for loved ones, new children, or recover from a serious illness.
“One of the core values of my administration is supporting families,” Polis said. “That is why I have championed lowering the cost of healthcare with programs like reinsurance, free full day kindergarten and expanding access to preschool. It is also why many of my senior and cabinet level positions are held by women, many of whom are parenting young children. I am proud to say that Paid Leave will now be a reality for State Employees, many of whom ha