Parental Leave

Faculty, Administrative Professional and Other Non-Classified Staff

Two sets of Baby Feet with Parents

The Parental leave policy can be found on the CSU Policy Library.

Mid-Year Qualifying Event

Add your new child to your benefit plans within 30 days of the date of birth or adoption. More information can be found on the HR website.

As of January 1, 2026, CSU transitions to Sun Life for administering FAMLI, FMLA, and Parental Leave. Employees will apply directly through Sun Life. 

CSU FAMLI is inclusive of parental leave for employees who live and work in the state of Colorado. Parental Leave may not be used separately from CSU FAMLI, and should be applied for all twelve weeks. Parental Leave should be taken immediately following the birth or adoption of the child.

Apply for FAMLI through Sun Life:

While Sun Life manages the claim, it is the employee’s responsibility to keep their department informed about their leave plans and timeline.

See Reimbursement of Parental Leave under Department Processing

Enhanced Parental Leave

Starting in calendar year 2025, CSU expanded its parental leave program to offer new parents up to 18 weeks of paid leave. This enhancement follows a semester-based approach to time off. Our coordinated leave programs, beginning with CSU FAMLI for Colorado employees, works seamlessly to support families during this time.

It is the intention that Faculty arrange Parental Leave, when possible, to coincide with the semester calendar. Applicable for 9-month faculty only, the 6 weeks of parental leave that typically occurs after the 12 weeks of FAMLI can be used flexibly, either immediately before or after the child’s arrival, and is required to be used concurrently with FAMLI. The FAMLI leave must begin once the child arrives. If there is any remaining time from the flexible 6-week period, it can be used after FAMLI, but the total Parental Leave may not exceed 18 weeks. This flexibility is particularly helpful in cases where a 9-month faculty member is not actively teaching prior to the child’s arrival. Parental Leave is intended to minimize the disruption of students’ education that occurs when Faculty must be replaced by another instructor. Academic Faculty are to discuss proactively with their department head/chair an appropriate arrangement to minimize the disruption to students and research.

This parental leave program update is designed to support the whole you—ensuring you have the time to care for, and bond with, your growing family. Parental leave is intended to begin immediately following the child’s arrival and runs at the same time as Family Medical Leave and CSU FAMLI. However, in limited circumstances, leave can be arranged with your department to be taken anytime within 12 months of birth or adoption placement.

Parental Leave must be taken along with FAMLI in one continuous block.

9-Month Faculty and Non-Classified Staff

Eligible for up to 18 weeks of leave. For academic appointments, this is intended to provide a full semester of leave, plus one week before and one week after the semester, giving parents needed time to bond and care for the newest member of their family while providing continuity for students.

  • The first 12 weeks of parental leave run concurrently as “top off” with FAMLI and FML.

  • For weeks 13 to 18, 9-month faculty and non-classified staff will receive parental leave pay. These weeks can be used either before or after FAMLI depending on the needs of the department and due date.

12-Month Faculty and Non-Classified Staff

  • The first 12 weeks of parental leave run concurrently as “top off” with FAMLI and FML.

  • For weeks 13 to 18, 12-month faculty and non-classified staff will use accrued annual or sick leave and receive parental leave pay once those balances are depleted.

See below for more information on employees who work and live outside of Colorado.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does a 12-month employee receive pay while on parental leave?

A 12-month employee must take parental leave as a continuous block.

  • An employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave.
    • The first 12 weeks of parental leave run concurrently as “top off” with FAMLI, and FML.
    • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will use accrued annual or sick leave and receive any remaining parental leave pay once those balances are depleted.

If I am a 9-month employee, how do I receive pay while on parental leave?

A 9-month employee must take parental leave as a continuous block. For academic appointments, this is intended to provide a full semester of leave, plus one week before and one week after the semester, giving parents needed time to bond and care for the newest member of their family while providing continuity for students.

  • An employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave.
    • The first 12 weeks of parental leave run concurrently as “top off” with FAMLI, and FML.
    • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will receive parental leave pay.

How does parental leave work if I welcome a child in between or during a semester?

Parental leave is designed to provide “semester relief” for 9-month academic appointments.

  • If a 9-month employee becomes a new parent in between semesters, they will use accrued sick leave until one week before the semester begins.
  • If a child arrives during a semester and the semester ends before the full 18 weeks of parental leave is used, the remaining balance can be carried over to the next semester. Parental leave cannot be taken during the summer months.
  • If you welcome a new child during the semester, you should create a plan with your department, in advance, when possible, that ensures a smooth transition.

What if I do not reside in Colorado?

Employees must take parental leave as a continuous block.

  • A 9-month employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of paid parental leave.
    • The employee’s first 12 weeks of parental leave will run concurrently with FML.
    • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will receive parental leave pay.
  • A 12-month employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave.
    • The employee’s first 12 weeks of parental leave will run concurrently with FML.
    • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will use accrued annual or sick leave and receive any remaining parental leave pay once those balances are depleted.

Employee Eligibility

Eligibility: Faculty, administrative professional, post-doctoral fellows, veterinary interns and clinical psychology interns with an appointment of at least half-time or greater who are eligible for benefits.

Who is a Parent: A birth parent, non-birth parent or adoptive parent(s).

How to Apply: An eligible employee should meet with their department Absence Partner or Manager to notify them of thier intent to take leave. Then the employee should apply for CSU FAMLI through Sun Life.

Department Processing

Who is Eligible?

An eligible employee who is a birth parent or non-birth parent of a newborn or newly adopted child.

Employee must be eligible and active at the time the child is born or placed for adoption. An employee is not an eligible employee during any period in which the employee is not in regular, paid employment status (for example when on leave without pay for purposes other than the birth or adoption of a child).

Parental leave is intended to begin immediately following the child’s arrival and runs at the same time as Family Medical Leave and CSU FAMLI. However, in limited circumstances, leave can be arranged with your department to be taken anytime within 12 months of birth or adoption placement.

A 12-month employee must take parental leave as a continuous block.

  • An employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave.
  • The employee’s first 12 weeks of leave will run concurrently with FAMLI and FML.
  • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will use accrued annual or sick leave and receive any remaining parental leave pay once those balances are depleted.

A 9-month employee must take parental leave as a continuous block. For academic appointments, this is intended to provide a full semester of leave, plus one week before and one week after the semester, giving parents needed time to bond and care for the newest member of their family while providing continuity for students.

  • An employee is eligible for up to 18 weeks of parental leave.
  • The employee’s first 12 weeks of leave will run concurrently with FAMLI and FML.
  • For weeks 13 to 18, the employee will receive parental leave pay. These weeks are flexible and can be used before or after FAMLI, depending on the needs of the department and employee.

Leave must be taken in one continuous block, and not split into intermittent days.

For successful processing of Parental Leave, the department HR Professional will:

  • Ensure the employee applies for CSU FAMLI.
  • Continue communication with the employee and the manager.

Reimbursement of Parental Leave

Costs associated with the 18-week parental leave period are charged directly to the central parental leave account and do not impact departmental budgets; no reimbursement request is required. CSU Benefits team will make entries in Workday.

  • 9-Month Faculty:
    • Weeks 1–12: FAMLI top-off
    • Weeks 13–18: 100% parental leave
    • Employees residing outside of Colorado: 100% parental leave for weeks 1–18
  • 12-Month Faculty, Admin Professional and Post Doc Fellows: 
    • In Colorado:
      • Weeks 1–12: Used concurrently with FAMLI as top-off.
    • Outside Colorado:
      • Weeks 1–12: 100% Parental Leave
    • Both in and outside of Colorado:
      • Weeks 13–18:
        • Required sick and annual leave usage is recorded in Workday to reflect use of the employee’s accrued leave.
        • A corresponding adjustment is processed to deduct those accruals and replace them with parental leave for the same amounts, ensuring costs are charged to the central parental leave account.
        • Accrual balances are reduced to meet the requirement that accrued leave is used first.