COVID-19 Leave: It’s Still Not Over!

Brooke A. Colaizzi

The federal government has once again extended the public health emergency declaration related to COVID-19. As a result, Colorado employers must continue to provide paid leave for the COVID-19-related circumstances identified in Colorado’s Healthy Families and Workplaces Act (HFWA). The Health and Human Services Department will revisit the public health declaration in January 2023.

HFWA requires employers provide two weeks (up to 80 hours for a full-time employee) total paid sick leave for COVID-related reasons. The leave must be available for four weeks after expiration of any public health emergency declaration related to COVID-19.

Many employees have used some or all of their available public health emergency leave. If you have questions about the status of public health emergency leave in your organization or would like to discuss specific situations, contact your Sherman & Howard Labor & Employment attorney.