Colorado is showing what it looks like when a state truly does better for families. As a NICU mom, this one hit close to home for me. When your baby is in the NICU, time feels suspended. Days blur together between monitors beeping, whispered conversations with nurses, and the constant weight of worry that never really leaves your chest. What shouldn’t be added to that experience is the fear of losing your job or your income simply because your child needs critical medical care.

Starting January 1, 2026, Colorado will become the first state to offer paid family leave specifically designed for NICU parents. Through changes to its Family and Medical Leave Insurance program, parents with babies in the NICU will be eligible for up to 24 weeks of paid leave. That time can be used while a baby is hospitalized and still allow parents the opportunity to take bonding leave afterward. For birthing parents who experience complications, additional time is also available. This law recognizes something that too many policies ignore: NICU stays are not brief or predictable, and families need both time and financial stability to get through them.

During my own NICU experience, I remember trying to be in two places at once. I wanted to be beside my baby, learning their cues, celebrating tiny wins, and advocating for their care. At the same time, I was painfully aware of work obligations, limited leave, and the reality that bills do not stop just because your world has turned upside down. Luckily, I worked for an extremely supportive manager and company, and that made a world of difference during one of the hardest moments of my life. But I also know how rare that level of support can be, and no family’s ability to show up for their child should depend on the luck of where they work.

Colorado’s approach sends a powerful message that parental presence is not optional when a baby is critically ill. It matters for bonding, for recovery, and for the mental health of parents who are already stretched to their limits. This law also acknowledges that supporting families during crisis moments is not just compassionate, it is smart public policy.

My hope is that other states take notice. Colorado is setting a precedent that prioritizes families, recognizes medical realities, and treats NICU parents with the dignity they deserve. This is what progress looks like, and it’s long overdue.