Below you’ll find summaries of proposed legislation affecting Colorado PERA. The status of each bill will be updated regularly.

Last updated: June 8, 2022

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HB22-1029

Compensatory Direct Distribution to Public Employees’ Retirement Association

Bill summary: Lawmakers enacted legislation in 2020 to forego the annual $225 million payment to PERA during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the General Assembly cut billions of dollars from the state budget. The state resumed payments in July 2021 but did not make up 2020’s payment. HB22-1029 calls for the state to make a payment of $380 million, which includes the $225 million plus prepayment of future direct distributions to PERA.

Sponsors: Rep. Shannon Bird, Rep. Shane Sandridge, Sen. Chris Kolker, Sen. Kevin Priola

Bill status: Signed into law.

Position: As fiduciaries, the PERA Board supports restoring the missed direct distribution.

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HB22-1057

Public Employees’ Retirement Association Employment After Teacher Retirement

Bill summary: Under current law, PERA retirees are limited in how many days they can work after retirement without reducing their benefit. This bill would temporarily waive those limits for qualified service retirees working as substitute teachers in any school district while there are critical substitute teacher shortages.

Sponsors: Rep. Mary Bradfield, Rep. Barbara McLachlan, Sen. Rob Woodward

Bill status: Signed into law.

Position: Expanding working after retirement provisions to allow retirees to work without a reduction will increase PERA’s liabilities. As fiduciaries, pursuant to its funding policy, the PERA Board opposes legislation that increases liabilities or reduces contributions until PERA is fully funded.

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HB22-1087

Special District Director Retirement Benefits

Bill summary: Special district board members are considered employees of the special district, and under current law their compensation is subject to PERA contributions as PERA members (if the special district is an employer affiliated with PERA). This bill would exclude special district board members who begin their service on or after July 1, 2022 from being eligible for membership in PERA for the service as directors.

Sponsor: Rep. Edie Hooton, Rep. Andres Pico

Bill status: Signed into law.

Position: The PERA Board does not have a position on this bill as it has no actuarial impact on the fund.

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HB22-1101

Public Employees’ Retirement Association Service Retiree Employment in Rural Schools

Bill summary: This bill would expand provisions, currently scheduled to repeal on July 1, 2023, that allow PERA service retirees to work full-time as a teacher, school bus driver, or school food services cook, without a reduction in benefits, for a rural school district that has determined there is a critical shortage of qualified individuals for these positions. The bill eliminates the scheduled repeal date and adds school nurses and paraprofessionals to the list of eligible employees.

Sponsors: Rep. Barbara MacLachlan, Rep. Marc Catlin, Sen. Jerry Sonnenberg, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger

Bill status: Signed into law.

Position: Expanding working after retirement provisions to allow retirees to work without a reduction will increase PERA’s liabilities. As fiduciaries, pursuant to its funding policy, the PERA Board opposes legislation that increases liabilities or reduces contributions until PERA is fully funded.