Colorado Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program

  • In 2020, Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 for a state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. This FAMLI programs ensure all Colorado workers have access to paid leave in order to care for themselves or their family during life circumstances. FAMLI will start providing benefits to employees beginning January 1, 2024.

    **If you decide to take the FAMLI leave option, you will not receive pay from Denver Public Schools. You will be place on a UNPAID leave in our True Pay system.  If you are paid through DPS, you would owe any days paid back to DPS.

    DPS has OPTED out completley for the taxes for employee and employer portions. 

     

     FAMLI offers paid leave benefits to eligible employees to support and protect loved ones during challenging life events. This coverage is available for most DPS employees beginning Jan 1, 2024. DPS is proud to offer access to this additional benefit to our team members to covered circumstances such as: 

    • Caring for a new child (adoption and foster care included);
    • Caring for yourself during serious health conditions;
    • Caring for a family member with a serious health condition;
    • Making arrangements for a family member’s military deployment;
    • Addressing safety and other needs during family crisis’ such as domestic violence or assault


    Visit https://famli.colorado.gov/individuals-and-families to learn more about situations covered under FAMLI.

    FAMLI Loco

  • What is FAMLI? 

    In 2020, Colorado voters approved Proposition 118 for a state-run Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program. This FAMLI programs ensure all Colorado workers have access to paid leave in order to care for themselves or their family during life circumstances. FAMLI will start providing benefits to employees beginning January 1, 2024.

  • Where can I learn more about FAMLI? 

    Learn more about FAMLi by visiting https://famli.colorado.gov/.

  • Should I enroll in FAMLI? 

    DPS cannot advise you on which benefits to enroll in. To learn more about all your available benefit packages visit thecommons.dpsk12.org/benefits. To learn more about FAMLI, visit https://famli.colorado.gov/.

  • How much does FAMLI cost? 

    Once you enroll, you must stay enrolled in FAMLI for a minimum of three-years. Your premium will be calculated as 0.45% of your wages. Use the State’s Premium and Benefits Calculator to determine how much your premium will cost.

  • Does DPS contribute to your FAMLI premium? 

    No, DPS does not contribute to your premium for FAMLI coverage. As a local government public school district, DPS had the option to opt-out of the FAMLI program. This allows DPS more flexibility to contribute to other benefit programs, offering you a comprehensive and competitive benefits package. You can learn more about DPS’s ability to opt-out by visiting https://famli.colorado.gov/employers/local-governments. 


    DPS offers a number of other benefit options, including Sick Leave Bank, that supplements your pay for eligible leave types. Learn more about Sick Leave Back at http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/slb.

  • How is FAMLI different from DPS’s Sick Leave Bank (SLB)?

    Sick Leave Bank (SLB) coverage through Denver Public Schools

    FAMLI coverage through the State of Colorado

    Cost

    FREE

    0.45% of your wages

    Eligibility to Enroll

    All benefits-eligible employees working at least 20 hours (0.5 FTE) will be automatically enrolled 

    On your first day of employment with DPS

    Eligibility to Take a Leave

    One month after your start date

    After 180 days and earning at least $2,500 in wages

    Maximum Leave Length

    1.0 FTE = 40 additional days (320 hours)

    0.5 FTE = 20 additional days (160 hours) 

    12 weeks (pregnancy or childbirth complications may be eligible for an additional 4 weeks - 16 weeks total)

    Covered Wage Amount

    Your regular wages

    37 - 90% of your normal weekly wages. Maximum weekly amount is $1,100  

    Use for family members

    No - SLB covers your own personal illness or injury. If someone else needs medical care besides you, please refer to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

    Yes

  • Is FAMLI replacing FMLA? 

    No, FAMLI is not replacing FMLA. In most cases, FAMLI and FMLA leaves will run concurrently. FAMLI is a paid leave type, whereas FMLA is an unpaid, job-protected leave. For more information, please visit https://famli.colorado.gov/individuals-and-families/famli-and-fmla.

  • Can I use FAMLI and SLB at the same time? 

    No, you may only use one leave type for your approved leave. Leaves that extend beyond the covered period will be transferred to unpaid leave status. For more information regarding your specific leave of absence needs, please contact leaveofabsence@dpsk12.org.

  • How do I enroll in FAMLI? 

    FAMLI enrollment opened in November 2023. Enrollment is on-going - allowing you the flexibility to enroll anytime. Simply complete the Enrollment Form. For coverage beginning Jan 1, you must enroll by Dec 31. Enrolling after Dec 31 will result in coverage beginning the first of the month following your completed Enrollment Form. For example, if you enroll on Feb 15, your FAMLI coverage will begin March 1.

  • How do I take a FAMLI leave of absence? 

    Submitting a FAMLI leave of absence will require you to file with the State of Colorado and Denver Public Schools. Visit to http://thecommons.dpsk12.org/Page/3237 or reach out to leaveofabsence@dpsk12.org to discuss your steps when submitting a FAMLI leave request.