Updated Resources for Employers

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Our Commitment to Transparency

PERA On The Issues

Careers

Legislation

News

Board and Leadership


<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Who We Are</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Colorado Public Employees&#8217; Retirement Association (PERA)&nbsp;provides retirement and other benefits to the employees of more than 500 government agencies and public entities in the state of Colorado. Established by state law in 1931, PERA operates by authority of the Colorado General Assembly and is administered under Title 24, Article 51 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. In accordance with its duty to administer PERA, the Board of Trustees has the authority to adopt and revise Rules in accordance with state statutes.</p>


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									<p><a class="doc_block" href="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/pera-law-2025.pdf" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/themes/planeteria-plane/img/PDF.svg" class="img_icon" alt="download this document" width="17px"><span>PERA Law</span></a></p>
												<p><a class="doc_block" href="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/colorado-pera-rules-2025.pdf" target="_blank"><img decoding="async" src="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/themes/planeteria-plane/img/PDF.svg" class="img_icon" alt="download this document" width="17px"><span>PERA Rules</span></a></p>
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</div>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Members of PERA include employees of the Colorado state government, public school teachers in the state, many university and college employees, judges, many employees of cities and towns, State Troopers, and the employees of many other public entities.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">PERA is a substitute for Social Security for most of these public employees. Benefits are pre-funded, which means while a member is working, he or she is required to contribute a fixed percentage of their salary to the retirement trust funds. Employers also&nbsp;<a href="/employer-contribution-rates">contribute a percentage of pay</a>&nbsp;to the trust fund.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The trust funds are then invested by PERA under the direction of the Board of Trustees. PERA&#8217;s investment strategy uses actuarially established investment objectives with long-term goals and policies.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PERA Mission and Vision Statements</h2>



<h3 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color">Mission</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To provide retirement security for our members while ensuring the sustainability of the fund.</p>



<h3 style="color:#000000;" class="wp-block-heading has-black-color has-text-color">Vision</h3>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">To innovate and build on a tradition of service by being a trusted partner in order to meet the changing needs of our diverse membership.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="anchortest1">Core Values</h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>Be good stewards</strong>&nbsp;by emphasizing sustainability in all operations.</li>



<li><strong>Serve member needs</strong>&nbsp;by delivering quality service and performance amid changing environments and expectations.</li>



<li><strong>Build strong relationships and deepen trust among all stakeholders</strong>&nbsp;by exercising good governance, valuing transparency, upholding ethical conduct, enhancing communications, and providing excellent customer service.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Our Commitment to Transparency</h2>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Colorado PERA is committed to conducting business in an open and transparent manner. To further public understanding of our operations and finances, we provide documents and links to information on PERA’s financial statements and investments, Board of Trustees activities and expenditures, legislative oversight, and staff compensation.</p>



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<div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://www.copera.org/our-commitment-to-transparency">Find More Information</a></div>
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About


<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The STARS Employer Portal saw a major update in November 2025.  With the update of the system, PERA has updated many of their publications and resources to reflect the changes.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Check out the newly updated Publications:</p>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><a href="https://content.copera.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/employer-manual.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Employer Manual</a></li>



<li><a href="https://copera.org/employers/employer-resources/stars#:~:text=Learn%20how%20to%20request%20STARS%20access%2C%20activate%20your%20account%2C%20report%20contributions%20and%20more%20within%20the%20new%20STARS%20Employer%20Portal%20with%20our%20helpful%20guide." target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">STARS Guide</a></li>



<li><a href="https://copera.org/employers/employer-resources/stars#:~:text=Using%20STARS%20for%20SSN%20Verification" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Using STARS For SSN Verification</a></li>



<li><a href="https://copera.org/employers/employer-resources/stars#:~:text=Using%20STARS%20to%20Submit%20W%2D2%20and%201099%20Files" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Using STARS to submit W-2 and 1099 Files</a></li>



<li><a href="https://copera.org/employers/training/contribution-reporting#:~:text=PERA%20Employer%20Contribution%20Reporting%20and%20Adjustments" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener" class="broken_link">Contribution Reporting and Adjustments</a></li>
</ul>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">We have also created <a href="https://vimeo.com/1135417273/9a80869cda?share=copy" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a companion video for the STARS Update</a>.</p>



<p class="wp-block-paragraph">As always, the Employer Relations team is here to answer any of your questions and help you locate anything in the STARS portal. Keep your eye out for new content to come in 2026!</p>
