Colorado FAMLI Tax Paycheck Calculator 2026 — See Your Exact Deduction + Weekly Benefits

What Is the Colorado FAMLI Tax?

Colorado FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) is a state program that provides paid leave for eligible workers. The program is funded by a 0.88% payroll premium split equally between employees and employers.

For 2026, employees pay 0.44% of their wages up to the Social Security wage cap of $184,500. Employers pay the other 0.44%. If you earn $75,000 per year, your FAMLI deduction is $330 annually — about $12.69 per biweekly paycheck.

FAMLI covers leaves for: welcoming a new child (birth, adoption, foster placement), caring for a family member with a serious health condition, your own serious health condition, safe leave (domestic violence), or military family caregiving needs. Birthing parents with pregnancy or childbirth complications may receive up to 4 additional weeks of medical leave (16 weeks total). The program also includes up to 12 additional weeks of Neonatal Care Leave (effective January 1, 2026) for parents of infants in neonatal intensive care, for a combined total of up to 24 weeks when stacked with the standard 12-week bonding entitlement. Birthing parents with pregnancy or childbirth complications may receive up to 4 additional weeks of medical leave, for a potential total of up to 28 weeks.

Most Colorado workers are covered. Employers with 10 or more employees (based on employees who were on payroll for 20 or more calendar workweeks in the previous calendar year) must pay the employer share. Employers with 1–9 qualifying employees are exempt from the employer share, but employees in those companies still pay the 0.44% employee share. Self-employed workers can opt in to coverage.

Learn more about FAMLI eligibility and covered events on famli.colorado.gov.

2026 Colorado FAMLI Rate: What Changed from 2025?

The Colorado FAMLI total rate dropped from 0.90% in 2025 to 0.88% in 2026. The employee share decreased from 0.45% to 0.44%.

The Social Security wage cap increased from $176,100 in 2025 to $184,500 in 2026. The maximum annual employee contribution increased slightly from $792.45 to $811.80 despite the lower rate, because the wage cap rose by $8,400.

The rate adjustment follows Senate Bill 25-144, which set the 2026 rate at 0.88% and established a process for the FAMLI director to set annual rates from 2027 onward (published by September 1 of the preceding year). The statutory maximum rate is capped at 1.2% by state law, but the current 0.88% rate reflects the program's actual funding needs.

For most Colorado workers, the rate change means a small decrease in the FAMLI deduction compared to 2025. On a $75,000 salary, the deduction went from $337.50 (2025) to $330.00 (2026) — a $7.50 annual reduction. The higher wage cap means high earners may pay slightly more overall if their salary exceeds the previous cap.

Separately, Colorado's State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW) updated on July 1, 2026 from $1,534.94 to $1,608.91. This increased the maximum weekly FAMLI benefit from $1,381.45 to $1,448.02 and shifted the sliding-scale threshold from $767.47 to $804.46 (50% of the new SAWW). All benefit estimates in this calculator reflect the current July 1, 2026 figures.

All rates listed here are verified from the official Colorado FAMLI website (famli.colorado.gov) and reflect the 2026 premium rates effective January 1, 2026, and the benefit figures effective July 1, 2026.

See the full FAMLI rate history on famli.colorado.gov.

How to Calculate FAMLI on Your Paycheck

FAMLI is calculated as 0.44% of your gross wages, capped at the Social Security wage base of $184,500 for 2026. The calculation is: Gross Pay × 0.0044 = your FAMLI deduction per pay period, until your annual wages hit the cap.

1. Find your gross pay before any deductions.
2. Multiply by 0.0044 (0.44%).
3. The result is your FAMLI deduction for that pay period.
4. If your annual wages exceed $184,500, stop deducting for the rest of the year.

Example: You earn $75,000 per year and get paid biweekly. Your gross biweekly pay is $2,884.62 ($75,000 ÷ 26). Multiply $2,884.62 × 0.0044 = $12.69. That's your FAMLI deduction per paycheck.

FAMLI appears as a separate line item on your pay stub, typically labeled "CO FAMLI" or "Colorado FAMLI." The deduction should match the calculation above. If you see a different amount, check whether you've hit the annual wage cap or if your employer has made an error.

For high earners: if you earn $200,000 per year, FAMLI applies only to the first $184,500. Your annual FAMLI deduction is $811.80 ($184,500 × 0.0044). Any wages above $184,500 are not subject to FAMLI in 2026.

Verify your FAMLI deduction on your pay stub by multiplying gross pay by 0.0044.

How Much Will You Pay? 2026 FAMLI Deduction Examples

Your FAMLI deduction depends on your gross pay and pay frequency. The table below shows exactly how much comes out of your paycheck at common salary levels for 2026.

For a $75,000 annual salary, you'll pay $12.69 per biweekly paycheck or $6.35 per week. The maximum annual contribution for 2026 is $811.80, which applies once your income reaches the $184,500 wage cap.

Your pay frequency determines how much FAMLI is withheld each check. More frequent pay periods mean smaller per-check deductions. Total annual FAMLI is the same regardless of pay frequency.

If your employer pays your 0.44% FAMLI share as a benefit, that amount becomes taxable income. Use the calculator above to toggle this scenario and see the impact on your net pay.

If your employer pays your FAMLI share, the amount becomes taxable income reported on your W-2.

How Much Would You Receive? FAMLI Benefits Explained

If you take FAMLI leave, your weekly benefit is based on your average weekly wage (AWW). The benefit uses a sliding scale tied to 50% of Colorado's State Average Weekly Wage (SAWW). As of July 1, 2026, the SAWW is $1,608.91, so the sliding threshold is $804.46 (50% of $1,608.91). The formula: 90% of the first $804.46 of your AWW, plus 50% of any amount above that, capped at $1,448.02 per week.

Example: You earn $75,000 per year. Your average weekly wage is $1,442.31 ($75,000 ÷ 52). Your FAMLI benefit would be: (90% × $804.46) + (50% × $637.85) = $724.01 + $318.93 = $1,042.94 per week.

The maximum weekly benefit as of July 1, 2026 is $1,448.02. This applies to workers with an average weekly wage of approximately $2,252 per week or higher (annual income of approximately $117,000 or more).

FAMLI provides up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year. Parents with a baby in neonatal intensive care (NICU) can receive up to an additional 12 weeks, for a combined maximum of up to 24 weeks when NICU leave is stacked with other qualifying leave. Benefits are not taxable for Colorado state income tax purposes.

The SAWW updates each July 1 and sets the benefit threshold and maximum for claims filed on or after that date. The figures shown reflect the current July 1, 2026 update.

Use the calculator above to estimate your exact FAMLI benefit amount.

FAMLI Benefit Sliding Scale (2026, effective July 1)

The FAMLI sliding scale is designed to replace a higher percentage of lower-wage workers' earnings. The threshold ($804.46) equals 50% of the current SAWW ($1,608.91) and updates each July 1. Here's how the benefit calculation works at different income levels.

At $804.46 per week (50% of the SAWW), you receive 90% replacement ($724.01). At $1,000 per week, you receive 82% replacement ($821.78). The replacement rate decreases as income increases, but the dollar amount continues to rise until hitting the $1,448.02 cap.

The sliding scale structure is intended to help lower-wage workers more fully replace their income while on leave. Higher-wage workers receive a smaller percentage replacement but still receive meaningful support.

The formula applied to all claims: Benefit = (min(AWW, $804.46) × 0.90) + (max(AWW − $804.46, 0) × 0.50), capped at $1,448.02. The threshold of $804.46 equals 50% of the current SAWW of $1,608.91 and will update again on July 1, 2027.

FAMLI is Colorado's paid leave program, distinct from federal FMLA (unpaid, job-protected leave).

Employers: What You Need to Know About FAMLI

Employers with 10 or more employees must pay the 0.44% employer share of FAMLI. Employer size is determined by the number of employees who were on payroll for 20 or more calendar workweeks in the previous calendar year — not simply current headcount. Employers with 1–9 qualifying employees are exempt from the employer share, but their employees still pay 0.44%. All employers must withhold the employee share from paychecks.

Part-time and remote workers based in Colorado count toward the headcount threshold if they meet the 20-workweek requirement. If your business crossed the 10-employee threshold during 2025, you may owe the employer share beginning in 2026.

Employers must register with the My FAMLI+ Employer portal, withhold employee premiums, remit premiums quarterly, and report wages electronically. The employer share is tax-deductible as a business expense.

Some employers choose to pay the employee's 0.44% share as a benefit. When this happens, the amount paid becomes taxable income to the employee and must be reported on Form W-2.

Employers who fail to withhold or remit FAMLI premiums face penalties under C.R.S. 8-13.3-507. Interest and fines can accrue on late payments.

Visit famli.colorado.gov for the complete FAMLI employer compliance guide.

FAMLI vs Other Colorado Paycheck Taxes

FAMLI is one of several deductions from a Colorado paycheck. It is separate from federal income tax, FICA (Social Security and Medicare), and Colorado state income tax.

FAMLI is a state program, while FICA is federal. FAMLI funds paid leave when you need time off for a qualifying event, while FICA funds Social Security retirement and Medicare health coverage.

FAMLI is one of the smaller deductions on a paycheck. On a $75,000 salary, it's about $12.69 per biweekly paycheck — a modest amount relative to other withholdings.

The Denver Occupational Privilege Tax (OPT) is $5.75 per month for employees who earn $500 or more in that calendar month from work performed in Denver. It applies only when the monthly earnings threshold is met and appears as a separate line item on pay stubs. FAMLI and OPT are separate deductions.

FAMLI is one of several deductions from a Colorado paycheck, alongside federal income tax, FICA, and Colorado state income tax.

How This Calculator Is Different

This calculator shows both your FAMLI deduction and your estimated weekly benefit if you take leave — most tools only show the deduction. It also accounts for pre-tax deductions (401(k), health insurance, HSA/FSA) and lets you toggle employer vs. employee perspective.

All rates reflect the July 1, 2026 SAWW update ($1,608.91). Many competing calculators still show pre-July figures. Sources: famli.colorado.gov, SSA.gov, Colorado Department of Revenue, IRS Rev. Proc. 2025-32.

Colorado Paycheck Breakdown: Where Does Your Money Go?

On a typical Colorado paycheck, FAMLI is one of several deductions. Here's what a $75,000 annual salary (single, biweekly, no pre-tax deductions) looks like:

FAMLI at $12.69 per biweekly paycheck is the smallest deduction — about 1.6% of total withholdings. The largest is federal income tax. Use the calculator above to see your exact breakdown based on your salary, filing status, and pre-tax deductions.

Colorado FAMLI vs. Other States' Paid Leave Programs

Colorado's FAMLI program is one of several state paid leave programs. Here's how it compares to other major states.

Rates and benefits shown are for 2026 where available. Each state program has different eligibility rules, benefit formulas, and wage caps. Colorado's FAMLI is unique in offering dedicated Neonatal Care Leave (12 additional weeks) starting in 2026.