Colorado Expands Paid Sick Leave

Colorado has enacted legislation (Senate Bill 23-017) that expands the reasons employees may use paid sick leave under state law. Senate Bill 23-017 takes effect August 7, 2023.

The Details

Existing law

Under current Colorado law, employees may use paid sick leave for the following purposes:

• The employee's or a family member's mental or physical illness, injury or health condition;
• The employee's or a family member's need for a medical diagnosis, care or treatment related to an illness, injury or condition;
• The employee or a family member needs to obtain preventive medical care;
• The employee or family member has been the victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault or harassment, and needs to:
• A public official has ordered the closure of the school or place of care of the employee's child or the employee's place of business due to a public health emergency.

Senate Bill 23-017

Effective August 7, 2023, employees will also be entitled to use paid sick leave to:

• Care for a family member whose school or place of care has been closed due to inclement weather, loss of power, loss of heating, loss of water, or other unexpected occurrence or event that results in the closure of the family member's school or place of care;
• Grieve, attend funeral services or a memorial, or deal with financial and legal matters that arise after the death of a family member ; or
• Evacuate the employee's place of residence due to inclement weather, loss of power, loss of heating, loss of water, or other unexpected occurrence or event that results in the need to evacuate the employee's residence.

Next Steps

Colorado employers should review policies and procedures to ensure compliance with Senate Bill 23-017 by August 7, 2023.

Please contact your dedicated service professional with any questions.