As our local business community continues to navigate the rollout of numerous programs including the Colorado FAMLI program, the Colorado SecureSavings Program, and the Plastic Pollution Reduction Act, we at the Grand Junction Chamber are committed to being a resource for upcoming deadlines and requirements you need to know about. With the start of January upon us, here is a brief summary of the different programs and information you need to be aware of.
Don’t forget – we are here to help!
If you have questions regarding this or any other business challenge, just give us a call. We are here to be your advocate and guide along the way.
Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI) Program:
The FAMLI program was created to provide access to paid leave for employees in order to take care of themselves or their family during life events that pull them away from their jobs. Both employers and employees will contribute premiums to the program. Employers and their employees are both responsible for funding the program and may split the cost 50/50.
The premiums are set to 0.9% of the employee’s wage, with 0.45% paid by the employer and 0.45% paid by the employee. Businesses with nine or fewer employees do not have to contribute to the program but do need to remit their employees’ share (0.45%) of the premium on behalf of employees each quarter. Premium payments begin in 2023, so employees may start to see a FAMLI premium deduction on their pay stubs beginning January 1, 2023. FAMLI will start providing benefits to employees beginning January 1, 2024. Most eligible employees will receive up to twelve weeks of leave.
The portal is now open to all Colorado employers at: www.famli.colorado.gov/employers/.
Unsure where to start? Brush up on what you need to know with these resources:
Be prepared with the FAMLI Program Toolkit for Employers: www.famli.colorado.gov/employers/famli-toolkit-for-employers
Dive in with informational webinars: www.famli.colorado.gov/employers/employer-webinars
Get your questions answered with the Employer FAQs: www.famli.colorado.gov/employers/employer-faqs
Colorado SecureSavings:
In 2019, the Colorado Legislature enacted SB20-200, which authorized the Colorado SecureSavings Board, the authority responsible for creating Colorado SecureSavings. As of January 1, 2023, Colorado employers will be required to offer their employees some sort of retirement savings. This can be a traditional pension, a 401(k) plan, a 403(b) plan, a SEP Plan, a SIMPLE IRA plan, a governmental deferred compensation plan — or an account from Colorado SecureSavings.
The Colorado Secure Savings Program is a new retirement savings program for private sector workers who currently do not have access to workplace retirement savings plans. All eligible employers will need to register and facilitate Colorado SecureSavings if you do not already offer a retirement plan for your employees. Every Colorado employer will be notified by Colorado SecureSavings when it’s time for your business to register.
More information can be found here: www.coloradosecuresavings.com/employers
Plastic Pollution Reduction Act:
The act prohibits stores and retail food establishments, on and after January 1, 2024, from providing single-use plastic carryout bags to customers; except that retail food establishments that are restaurants and small stores that operate solely in Colorado and have 3 or fewer locations may provide single-use plastic carryout bags. Although the full act doesn’t take effect until 2024, you will see some changes immediately in 2023.
Between January 1, 2023, and January 1, 2024, a store may furnish a recycled paper carryout bag or a single-use plastic carryout bag to a customer at the point of sale if the customer pays a fee of 10 cents per bag. On and after January 1, 2024, a store may furnish only a recycled paper carryout bag to a customer at the point of sale at a fee of 10 cents per bag. This act also prohibits a retail food establishment, on and after January 1, 2024, from distributing an expanded polystyrene product for use as a container for ready-to-eat food in this state. Retail food establishments that purchase expanded polystyrene products before January 1, 2024, may continue to use the products until their supply is depleted.
The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce is working closely with the City of Grand Junction to support the business community through this transition.
A complimentary webinar for any interested business will be held on January 11th at 10am. Registration is required here.
More information about the act can be found here: www.leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1162
Don’t know where to start with all of these changes? Give us a call.
We are here to help you navigate these challenging changes impacting you in the New Year.
info@gjchamber.org | 970-242-3214