Colorado vs Minnesota: paid leave cost compared, 2026
On 25 employees and $2,000,000 of annual payroll, Colorado costs $17,600 in total premium and Minnesota costs $13,200 — a difference of $4,400 a year. The employer’s own exposure differs by more, because the two states split the premium differently.
Colorado
$17,600
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $8,800
- Employees pay
- $8,800
- Rate applied
- 0.88%
Minnesota
$13,200
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $4,400
- Employees pay
- $8,800
- Rate applied
- 0.66%
At 25 employees this employer qualifies for Minnesota’s small-employer rate.
Full Minnesota rate card →Estimates only. Confirm current rates with your state agency before filing or budgeting.
Rules side by side
| Colorado | Minnesota | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Family and Medical Leave Insurance | Minnesota Paid Leave |
| Total contribution rate | 0.88% | 0.88% |
| Employer share | 50% | 50% |
| Employee share | 50% | 50% |
| Wage cap per employee | $184,500 | $184,500 |
| Small-employer relief | Under 10 staff → 0.44% | Under 31 staff → 0.66% |
| Private plan allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,448 | $1,423 |
What actually differs
- Who funds it. Colorado splits it 50% employer to 50% employee. Minnesota splits it 50% employer to 50% employee. Comparing the headline rates alone will mislead you whenever the splits differ this much.
- Where the cost stops. Both cap subject wages at $184,500 per employee — the federal Social Security base — so the rate difference is the whole story here.
- Small-employer treatment. Colorado reduces the rate to 0.44% below 10 employees, counted nationwide. Minnesota reduces the rate to 0.66% below 31 employees, counted nationwide. If you are near either threshold, check which headcount basis applies before assuming you qualify.
Last verified August 18, 2026Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Last verified August 18, 2026Source: Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development
Employing in both?
Add Colorado and Minnesota to the multi-state calculator and see the combined figure, with each state’s cap and small-employer rule applied separately.
Calculate both together