Colorado Expands Employee Voting Leave Rights - HR ALERTS

Colorado Expands Employee Voting Leave Rights

Effective Date: August 6, 2026

Colorado has expanded its voting leave law to allow employees to take leave to vote on any day a voter service and polling center is open, rather than only on Election Day. The law also allows employees to use leave to register to vote, obtain a ballot or replacement ballot, and obtain documents necessary to vote or register.

Employers are not required to provide voting leave if the employee has three consecutive hours outside of work while polling locations are open.

Why This Matters

Colorado's mail-ballot and early voting system means employees may request voting leave over a broader period of time rather than on a single election day. Employers should be prepared for requests during early voting periods and ensure managers understand the expanded leave rights.

Recommended Next Steps

• Update manager training regarding voting leave requests

• Ensure scheduling practices account for leave requests during early voting periods

• Confirm employees are not denied leave when they do not have three consecutive non-working hours available while polling locations are open

Source: Colorado H.B. 18-1033 

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