Colorado Bill SB26-087: Legislative Leave Job Protection

Detected March 7th, 2026

Summary

Colorado Bill SB26-087 proposes to create legislative leave job protection for members of the General Assembly. The bill would prohibit employers from terminating qualified members who request or take leave during legislative sessions and require restoration to the same or equivalent position upon return.

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What changed

Colorado Bill SB26-087, introduced for the 2026 Regular Session, aims to establish job protection for members of the General Assembly who are also employed outside of their legislative duties. The bill, if passed, would allow qualified members to take a leave of absence from their outside employment during legislative sessions without fear of termination. Employers would be prohibited from ending employment based on a request for or use of legislative leave, and employees would be entitled to return to their same or an equivalent position.

This legislation directly impacts employers in Colorado who have employees serving in the General Assembly. Employers will need to update their leave policies to accommodate legislative leave requests, ensuring compliance with the non-termination and job restoration provisions. While the bill allows employers discretion on whether the leave is paid, unpaid, or partially paid, the core protections against termination and for reinstatement are mandatory. The bill is currently under consideration, with a scheduled Senate General Orders meeting on March 9, 2026.

What to do next

Review Colorado Bill SB26-087 for potential impact on employment policies.
Update leave policies to include provisions for legislative leave and job protection if the bill is enacted.
Ensure compliance with non-termination and job restoration requirements for employees serving in the General Assembly.

Source document (simplified)

SB26-087

Create Legislative Leave Job Protection for General Assembly Members

| Type | Bill |
| --- | --- |
| Session | 2026 Regular Session |
| Subjects | Labor & Employment |
Concerning authorizing legislative leave from employment during a legislative session for certain members of the general assembly.

Recent Bill (PDF) Recent Fiscal Note (PDF) Bill Summary:

The bill authorizes legislative leave and job protection for qualified members of the general assembly (qualified members) who are engaged in employment outside of their duties related to the general assembly. More specifically, the bill states that:

A qualified member can take a leave of absence from their outside employment during regular and special legislative sessions;
A qualified member's outside employer has discretion to grant legislative leave as paid, unpaid, or partially paid;
A qualified member's outside employer cannot terminate the qualified member's outside employment on the basis that the qualified member requests or takes legislative leave; and
When a qualified member returns to their outside employment following legislative leave, the qualified member is entitled to be restored to the same or an equivalent employment position. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)