In its first ten days of operation, Colorado’s new paid family leave program disbursed more than $2.7 million to workers for serious life events. The Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Division of the state said that since eligible claims started being accepted on Jan. 1, it has approved 3,208 claims. Workers were initially allowed to submit their claims in November when FAMLI introduced a statewide online portal, to start receiving aid instantly from the start of 2024. Covered workers in Colorado will be eligible to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year to bond with a new child, including those adopted or fostered. This leave can also be utilized for addressing a serious health condition of the worker or a family member, planning for a family member’s military deployment, or managing immediate safety concerns due to domestic violence or sexual assault.