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.

Beginning January 1, 2026, CSU will transition to Sunlife for administering FAMLI, FMLA, and Parental Leave. Employees will apply directly through Sunlife, which will collect the required documentation and determine eligibility. FMLA and FAMLI documentation will be required for the Parental Leave application, and they can be submitted online through their portal. Additional instructions will be shared as the transition date approaches. Because of this change, any leave beginning on or after January 1, 2026, must be submitted through Sunlife; CSU will not accept applications for 2026 leave directly.

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.

Reimbursement

  • In Colorado: An application for Parental Leave is needed to request reimbursement, even though it runs concurrently with FAMLI.
  • Outside of Colorado: A application for Parental Leave is required for reimbursement.

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.

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.

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.

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 will apply for CSU FAMLI, then meet with their department HR Professional to notify them of thier intent to take leave. Parental leave will be applied by the HR Professional when it runs concurrently with FAMLI. The department will also complete the online Parental Leave application for reimbursement of the hours utilized.

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.

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.
  • Confirm the hours of Parental Leave requested for reimbursement on the form, match the hours sent by the HR Leave team and have been entered into TimeClockPlus.
  • Submit the parental leave application (request for reimbursement) within 30 days of the employee’s return from leave. Requests received after the end of the fiscal year will not be processed.
  • Attach completed FML paperwork to the parental leave form.

Parental leave provides for the transfer of funds from the fringe pool to the employee’s home department for the amount of parental leave used for up to 18 weeks. 12 weeks of FAMLI “top off” for those who live in Colorado, plus an additional 6 weeks of parental leave used based on the eligibility rules indicated above.