Having a baby in Colorado

Program

Health First Colorado

Agency

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing

Medicaid limit

195% of the poverty level

CHIP for pregnant people

Up to 260%

CHIP unborn-child option

Up to 265%

12-month postpartum coverage since

July 1, 2022

Presumptive eligibility

Yes. A qualified clinic or hospital can enroll you right away.

Above 260%, coverage comes only through CHIP's From Conception to End of Pregnancy option. It covers the pregnancy regardless of the parent's immigration status, but benefits and postpartum coverage can be narrower than full Medicaid.

Colorado pays up to 12 weeks for pregnancy and bonding combined (16 with a pregnancy or childbirth complication), at up to 90% of wages, max $1,448.02 a week from July 1, 2026.

Program

Colorado Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI)

Pregnancy and recovery

FAMLI says most birthing parents file a Pregnancy Leave claim first (once a health care provider certifies the need), then a separate Bonding Leave claim after the birth. Both come out of the same 12-week balance, unless your provider certifies a pregnancy or childbirth complication, which uses a separate 4-week balance (up to 16 weeks) and can continue after the baby is born.

Legal maximum, your own health

16 weeks

Paying since

January 1, 2024

Pay

90% of your average weekly wage up to half the state average weekly wage, plus 50% of wages above that. Max $1,448.02/week from July 1, 2026 ($1,381.45 earlier in 2026).

Job protection

Yes, in the FAMLI Act itself: if you have worked for your employer at least 180 days before leave, you have the right to return to your job or an equivalent one with equivalent pay and benefits. Health insurance continues during leave, and retaliation is banned for everyone. If your local government employer opted out of FAMLI and you opted in yourself, your job is not protected by FAMLI, though federal FMLA may apply.

Who qualifies

Most Colorado employees qualify after earning $2,500 in Colorado wages subject to FAMLI premiums in the last 5 completed calendar quarters; there is no minimum time with your current employer. Private employers and state government are covered; local governments can opt out. Self-employed and gig workers (and employees of opted-out local governments) can opt in for at least 3 years.

Notes

Weekly max changed mid-2026: $1,381.45 through June 30, 2026 and $1,448.02 from July 1, 2026 (based on the 2026-2027 Colorado average weekly wage of $1,608.91). FAMLI does not say whether claims that began before July 1 move to the new cap. A birthing parent with a certified pregnancy or childbirth complication can get 16 weeks in total (12 otherwise). Since Jan. 1, 2026 (SB 25-144), parents whose baby is in a NICU can also get up to 12 additional weeks of Neonatal Care Leave from a separate balance, so the total can reach 28 weeks in rare cases. Standard pregnancy leave reduces the 12 weeks left for bonding; complication and NICU leave do not. Bonding must be taken within 12 months of birth, both parents can file for bonding, and you cannot file a bonding claim before the baby is born (you can start the application up to 30 days early as a draft). Your benefit year runs 12 months from your first day of FAMLI leave. Give your employer 30 days' notice when possible. 2026 premium: 0.88% of wages up to $184,500, split 50/50 (employers with fewer than 10 employees don't pay the employer half). Employers may use an approved private plan instead.

The weekly maximum is a ceiling, not a typical benefit. Checked October 2026. Amounts usually change January 1 and July 1, so confirm with the state before you plan.

In Colorado, Medicaid pays for lactation support visits with no visit limits, and IBCLCs can enroll and bill directly.

Who can bill

IBCLC; certified lactation counselor; certified lactation educator; physician; certified nurse-midwife; certified midwife; advanced practice nurse

Where

outpatient; home; telehealth; clinic; FQHC/RHC

Visit limits

No amount, duration or scope limitations; no prior authorization

IBCLCs can enroll on their own

Yes

Since

December 1, 2024

Notes

Lactation Support Services (HCPCS S9443 with time modifiers) began December 1, 2024 under HB22-1289 and are billed fee-for-service to the state even for managed care members. IBCLCs enroll as provider type 70 and may bill directly; CLCs and CLEs must work under supervision and bill through an enrolled group. A recommendation from a licensed practitioner is required, and services during the delivery inpatient stay are part of the hospital payment.

Colorado Medicaid member information

Full-time provider prices before any subsidy, in 2022 dollars. The national median for center infant care was $12,647 a year. Prices cover 62 of 64 counties.