Four PERA Board seats are up for election in 2021.

At the PERA Board meeting on March 19, the following details of the races were shared:

• Three candidates are running for one open seat representing the State Division
• Five candidates are running for two open seats representing the School Division
• Four candidates are running for one open seat representing retirees in in the School Division

Election Timeline

• May 3: Candidate responses to questions posted on copera.org
• May 3-7: Ballots mailed to PERA members and retirees whose representative(s) are up for election
• May 21: Deadline for members and retirees requesting a duplicate or special ballot
• May 31: Deadline for ballots to be postmarked; Internet and phone voting closes at midnight (Mountain Time)
• Mid-June: PERA notifies winning candidates of preliminary election results
• June 18: Presentation of certified election results to Board for approval. PERA will notify all candidates of certified results after Board approval.
• July 1: Deadline for ballot recount requests

PERA Board – Duties and Organization

Oversight and management of PERA is divided among a number of entities. The Colorado General Assembly sets contribution rates and benefit levels. State statute creates and empowers PERA’s Board of Trustees to set PERA policy and oversee PERA programs and operations. PERA staff implements the Board’s policies.

The 16-member Board includes: 12 Trustees elected by PERA members and retirees (including one non-voting member), three Trustees appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate, and the State Treasurer.

Board members are fiduciaries, which means they are required to act in the best interest of members. In addition to attending Board meetings, Trustees serve on various PERA subcommittees and are required to spend a certain number of hours attending educational sessions.