Bringing home a new baby rarely goes exactly as planned. For parents whose newborn lands in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), days can quickly turn into weeks filled with medical updates, sleepless nights, and impossible work decisions. Colorado is now trying to ease part of that burden with a groundbreaking expansion to its paid leave program. Starting in 2026, eligible parents can receive up to 12 extra weeks of leave when their newborn is hospitalized, giving families more time to focus on care instead of rushing back to work.
