Colorado Labor Laws

Colorado Sick Leave Law: Accrual, Caps and Who Is Covered — Best Proven Guide (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated October 8, 2026
✓ Verified October 2026

The Colorado sick leave law gives you 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, capped at 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave, for all employers. This guide gives the exact colorado sick leave law rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next.

Rules verified against Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics or an attorney before you rely on it.

Colorado Sick Leave Law at a Glance

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Law Yes — paid sick leave
Accrual 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Annual cap 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave
Who is covered All employers
Statute C.R.S. 8-13.3-401 to 8-13.3-418 (Healthy Families and Workplaces Act)
In effect since January 1, 2021 (all employers January 1, 2022)

Colorado Sick Leave Law: The Rule

1 hour for every 30 hours worked. 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave. Covered: all employers. The statute is C.R.S. 8-13.3-401 to 8-13.3-418 (Healthy Families and Workplaces Act), in effect since January 1, 2021 (all employers January 1, 2022).

⚠ Colorado sick leave law: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave. In effect since January 1, 2021 (all employers January 1, 2022).

What Colorado Sick Leave Law Lets You Use Leave For

Under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, workers generally may use paid sick leave for their own mental or physical illness, injury, or medical care, or to care for a family member who needs the same. It also covers “safe leave” for needs related to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or criminal harassment.

Later amendments generally added bereavement after a family member’s death and certain closures, such as a child’s school closing for bad weather or an evacuation. Confirm the current list with the state agency.

Colorado Sick Leave Law at a Glance

Rules verified against Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.

Law Yes — paid sick leave
Accrual 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
Annual cap 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave
Who is covered All employers
Statute C.R.S. 8-13.3-401 to 8-13.3-418 (Healthy Families and Workplaces Act)
In effect since January 1, 2021 (all employers January 1, 2022)

Accrual, Caps and Carryover Under Colorado Sick Leave Law

1 hour for every 30 hours worked; 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave. A Colorado employer may generally require reasonable notice when the need for leave is foreseeable, but cannot deny leave just because notice was short or missing when the need was unexpected.

Documentation is generally allowed only after a set number of consecutive workdays of leave, and the employer cannot require details about the worker’s health condition or the nature of the abuse.

The leave is paid at your regular rate for the covered employers above; smaller employers in some states must give the time unpaid.

Colorado Sick Leave Law and Retaliation

The state generally prohibits employers from retaliating against, interfering with, or disciplining a worker for using or asking for protected paid sick leave. Employers also may not count protected leave as an absence that could lead to discipline, discharge, or other adverse action.

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Local Rules and Colorado Sick Leave Law

Denver has its own paid sick leave ordinance, enforced by Denver Labor, that generally tracks the state law. Workers in Denver may want to confirm local rights with that office.

Other Colorado Sick Leave Law Rules to Know

Colorado requires employers to provide extra paid leave during a declared public health emergency, on top of regular accrued sick leave. Documentation generally cannot be required for this emergency leave.

Denied the leave you earned? The labor department enforces the sick-leave law for free.

Contact Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Division of Labor Standards and Statistics

Colorado — the bottom line

  • The colorado sick leave law gives 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.
  • Under the colorado sick leave law the cap is 48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave.
  • The colorado sick leave law protects you from retaliation for using the leave.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is paid sick leave required in Colorado?

Yes. 1 hour for every 30 hours worked.

How much sick leave do I get under Colorado sick leave law?

48 hours a year, with carryover; plus up to 80 hours of public-health-emergency leave.

Which employers are covered by the Colorado sick leave law?

All employers.

Can I be fired for using sick leave in Colorado?

The state generally prohibits employers from retaliating against, interfering with, or disciplining a worker for using or asking for protected paid sick leave.

When did the Colorado sick leave law take effect?

January 1, 2021 (all employers January 1, 2022).

Official Colorado Sources & Resources

This colorado sick leave law guide was last verified against official Colorado sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Colorado Workplace Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.

Hurt at work before you lost the job? See whether workers comp or unemployment applies at Workers Comp Explained. Denied unemployment because you cannot work? Social Security disability may be the right program - start at Disability Claim Info. Lost income and worried about rent? Know your rights before an eviction notice arrives at Tenant Rights Info.