Preliminary Steps Start on Implementation of Household and Medical Depart Program – Colorado Chamber of Commerce

Released: August 20, 2021

Begin the first steps to implement the family and sick leave program

This week, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment held a stakeholder meeting to discuss the next steps in the regulatory and enforcement process of the Family & Medical Leave Insurance Program (FAMLI). The FAMLI voting initiative, known as Proposition 118, was passed during the November 2020 election due to a failure of legislation in the previous six years in which it was put in place.

The Department has published the first set of proposed rules addressing employer / employee bonuses and how these bonuses are based based on wage definitions, interpreting the “location” of the CO employee and clarifying exceptions to the size of the employer be determined to pay the premiums.

The Colorado Chamber has submitted comments to the department based on feedback received from its members. The feedback includes concerns and needs for clarification on expanded definitions of qualifying wages, localization of employees for determining the premiums to be paid, employer size for exemptions from premium payment and determination of the employer / employee share of the premiums through “employer” definitions.

Schedule for the proposed rule:

• September 2nd: Public comments are due
• September 30th: Deadline for submission of regulatory proposals by the department to the Foreign Minister
• October 10: Rules notice posted on the Colorado Register
• November 10: Deadline for formal hearing on rules
• January 1, 2022: The final premium regulation comes into force

Senator Winter and Rep. Gray, sponsors of previous FAMLI legislative attempts, assured stakeholders during the meeting that NO substantive legislation on Prop 118 will be introduced in the 2022 legislature. The only exception to this would be if a federal paid family and sick leave bill were passed in Colorado prior to the end of the 2022 legislature requiring adjustment to all federal requirements, primarily regarding waivers to use federal funds to support the rewards to obtain. The department also stated that it does not intend to legislate in 2022 and will mainly focus on drafting regulations, which is likely to take place over the course of the next year.

Next Steps:

The next set of draft rules that will be open to stakeholder involvement concerns the local government opt-in and exemption from private plans.

Please contact Loren Furman at [email protected] or Larry Hudson at [email protected] with any questions / concerns regarding this matter.

Colorado Chamber & NW Douglas Cty Chamber & EDC work together for the future!

Loren Furman in conversation with the board of directors

This week, Loren Furman, Senior VP of Governmental Affairs of the Colorado Chamber, spoke with board members of the NW Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation about the guidelines and ways in which organizations can work together in economic development and cooperation by state and local politicians in recent years other national policy issues. Furman shared the impact of these guidelines on Colorado new business acquisition efforts and the economic impact on Colorado-based employers and their employees. The discussion included strategies for how the organizations can work together to improve Colorado’s business climate, attract new businesses and talented workers, and protect employers and employees from onerous state and local mandates.

Loren Furman

Background: The NW Douglas County Chamber & Economic Development Corporation was established in November 2011 and comprises Roxborough, Sterling Ranch, Santa Fe Corridor and Highlands Ranch. The organization focuses on infrastructure improvement, public order and marketing the region as a prime location for establishing or expanding a business.

Amy Sherman, President & CEO, NW Douglas Cty Chamber & EDC;
Erin Jones, FirstBank, Chair of the NW Douglas Cty Chamber & EDC

Update: Program to reduce the employer’s travel expenses

The Air Quality Control Commission (AQCC) met this week, August 17th and 18th, for a hearing to regulate various issues, including the Employer Trip Reduction Program or ETRP. In an 8-1 vote, the AQCC voted to accept the Air Pollution Control Division (APCD) proposal to reject the proposed rules entirely. The chamber has been involved in the rulemaking process since the beginning of June and testified publicly during the hearing on the evening of August 17th. The AQCC, along with the APCD and state elected officials, have promised to continue working on the proposal. The Chamber will continue to engage and provide relevant updates on behalf of all of our members. Here you can see the latest statements of the Chamber.