Weekly max gap
$266
Washington higher
2026Washington vs Colorado Paid Leave
Washington lists a higher modeled weekly maximum. Compare PFML status, weekly caps, family weeks, payroll premiums, and sick-leave rules.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Family weeks gap
0
Same modeled family weeks
Premium gap at $80k
$294
Colorado lower rate
Side-by-side paid leave scoreboard
Washington
$1,647
Max weekly · rank #2
- PFML status
- Active PFML program
- Family weeks
- 12
- Employee premium
- 0.81%
Paid sick leave mandate
Colorado
$1,381
Max weekly · rank #5
- PFML status
- Active PFML program
- Family weeks
- 12
- Employee premium
- 0.44%
Paid sick leave mandate
Benefit metric comparison
| Metric | Washington | Colorado | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max weekly | $1,647 | $1,381 | $266 |
| Family weeks | 12 | 12 | 0 |
| Employee premium | 0.81% | 0.44% | 0.37% |
| Est. annual premium ($80k) | $646 | $352 | $294 |
Max weekly
Washington$1,647
Colorado$1,381
Family weeks
Washington12
Colorado12
Premium at $80k
Washington$646
Colorado$352
Key takeaways — Washington vs Colorado paid leave
- Washington has an active PFML program (Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave); Colorado has an active PFML program (Colorado FAMLI).
- Washington lists the higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,647 vs $1,381, gap $266).
- Both model 12 family/bonding weeks in this 2026 snapshot.
- Colorado has the lower employee PFML premium (~0.44%), saving about $294/year on a $80,000 wage example before wage-base caps.
- Washington: Paid sick leave mandate. Colorado: Paid sick leave mandate.
- Federal FMLA remains unpaid job protection—it does not replace a PFML paycheck in either state.
Washington vs Colorado leave scorecard
PFML status, weeks, premiums, and sick-leave mandates side by side.
| Metric | Washington | Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| PFML status | Active PFML program | Active PFML program |
| Program | Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave | Colorado FAMLI |
| Max weekly benefitWashington higher by $266 | $1,647 | $1,381 |
| Family / bonding weeksSame modeled weeks | 12 | 12 |
| Medical weeks (modeled) | 12 | 12 |
| Wage replacement (typical) | 9% | 9% |
| Employee premiumColorado lower (~$294/yr at $80,000) | 0.81% | 0.44% |
| Paid sick / any-reason | Paid sick leave mandate | Paid sick leave mandate |
PFML at weekly max — claim length scenarios
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Caps stop at each state’s family weeks when shorter. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
| Scenario | Washington | Colorado | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 weeks at weekly max | $6,588 | $5,524 | $1,064 |
| 8 weeks at weekly max | $13,176 | $11,048 | $2,128 |
| 12 weeks at weekly max | $19,764 | $16,572 | $3,192 |
How to read this page
Washington vs Colorado paid leave in 2026
Comparing paid leave between Washington and Colorado means stacking three layers: mandatory PFML cash benefits (where they exist), statewide paid sick or any-reason leave mandates, and unpaid federal FMLA job protection. This page uses the same 2026 planning snapshot as the paid-leave hub.
Washington shows active pfml program with a modeled weekly maximum of $1,647 and about 12 family weeks. Colorado shows active pfml program at $1,381/week and 12 family weeks.
If you optimize for cash benefits, Washington leads on weekly maximum and neither state leads on family weeks—premiums and sick-leave rules can still flip the “better” package for a given worker.
Benefits and premiums: Washington vs Colorado
At the weekly maximum for a full family-leave allotment, Washington could approach $19,764 (12 weeks) and Colorado $16,572 (12 weeks)—only if every week pays the published maximum.
Employee payroll shares model at 0.81% in Washington (~$646/year on $80,000) versus 0.44% in Colorado (~$352/year). The gap is about 0.37% / $294 annually on that wage example.
Wage replacement midpoints are about 9% in Washington and 9% in Colorado before caps. Waiting periods, claim type, and private plans can change cash paid.
PFML vs sick leave vs FMLA in this pair
Washington: Statewide paid sick leave. Colorado: Statewide Healthy Families and Workplaces Act paid sick leave.
Short sick or any-reason leave banks are not a substitute for multi-week PFML bonding benefits. A state can lead on sick leave and still lack mandatory PFML—or the reverse.
FMLA can run alongside state PFML for eligible employees of covered employers, but it does not pay wages. Job restoration rules depend on employer size, tenure, and which statute applies—not on which state has the higher weekly max.
When Washington or Colorado looks better for leave
Choose the higher weekly max if your wages would hit the cap and you need maximum cash replacement during bonding or family care.
Choose more family weeks if bonding length matters more than the weekly dollar cap—especially when medical and family weeks share a combined annual ceiling.
Weigh employee premiums and sick-leave mandates for everyday short absences. Relocating for leave benefits alone is rarely enough without checking cost of living, wages, and employer policies.
Who this Washington vs Colorado comparison helps
Useful if…
- •Candidates comparing job offers or remote bases in Washington vs Colorado.
- •Parents estimating bonding leave wage replacement and payroll deductions.
- •HR teams mapping multi-state PFML and sick-leave compliance.
- •Workers weighing whether sick-leave mandates offset a missing PFML program.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an official claim determination, waiting period, or private-plan approval.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •City ordinances exceed the statewide sick-leave rules modeled here.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
Washington vs Colorado checklist
Before treating rankings as a relocation or offer decision.
- 1Confirm PFML status: Washington (Active PFML program) vs Colorado (Active PFML program).
- 2Compare weekly max ($1,647 vs $1,381) and family weeks (12 vs 12).
- 3Estimate employee premiums on your wage (example gap ~$294 at $80,000).
- 4Review sick/any-reason leave separately from PFML week counts.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility if you need job protection alongside cash benefits.
- 6Open each state profile and confirm agency rules before relocating for leave alone.
Washington vs Colorado paid leave FAQs
Washington: Active PFML program (Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave). Colorado: Active PFML program (Colorado FAMLI).
Washington lists a higher modeled weekly maximum ($1,647 vs $1,381).
Washington models 12 family/bonding weeks; Colorado models 12. Medical-leave weeks and combined caps can differ — check each profile.
Washington employee rate ~0.81%; Colorado ~0.44%. On $80,000 wages that is about $646 vs $352 per year (before wage-base caps).
Washington: Paid sick leave mandate. Colorado: Paid sick leave mandate. Statewide paid sick leave. Statewide Healthy Families and Workplaces Act paid sick leave.
No. FMLA is unpaid job-protected leave for eligible employees of covered employers. State PFML programs (where active) can provide partial wage replacement during qualifying leave.
It depends whether you optimize for weekly maximum (Washington), weeks (tied), premiums (Colorado), or sick-leave mandates. Read both profiles and confirm eligibility with the state agency.
At each state’s modeled weekly maximum for its family allotment, Washington approaches $19,764 and Colorado $16,572 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
Colorado models the lower employee rate (0.44%). On $80,000 wages the annual gap is about $294 before wage-base caps.
Usually only for short illness- or appointment-related absences—not full bonding leave. Washington: Statewide paid sick leave. Colorado: Statewide Healthy Families and Workplaces Act paid sick leave. Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Not always. Weeks, premiums, sick-leave mandates, waiting periods, and employer PTO coordination matter. Washington leads on weekly max in this table, but check family weeks, combined caps, and claim rules before deciding.
Open Washington (/paid-leave-by-state/washington) and Colorado (/paid-leave-by-state/colorado) for program details, neighbor tables, and checklists.
Compare another pair
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PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
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Chart-based estimates. Confirm claims and premiums with state agencies.