Denver employees are covered by Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA), earning one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year, plus the FAMLI paid family-leave program.
Colorado's Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (C.R.S. §8-13.3-401) requires every employer to provide one hour of paid sick leave per 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours per year. Denver does not layer a separate ordinance; HFWA applies in full to Denver workers. Sick leave can be used for the worker's or a family member's illness, mental-health needs, doctor visits, domestic-violence situations, or public-health emergencies. Separately, Colorado's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) program, funded by a 0.9% payroll contribution split between employer and worker, provides up to 12 weeks of partially paid leave for serious health conditions, bonding, and military exigencies. Denver Labor enforces wage components.
Failing to accrue or pay HFWA sick time, retaliating against users, or skipping FAMLI premiums triggers Colorado Department of Labor and Employment penalties, back pay with interest, and fines up to $500 per violation.
See how Denver's paid leave preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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