Senate Approves Kolker Bill to Strengthen Access to PERA

SB26-151 would ensure teachers who move in or out of the DSST network have consistent access to retirement savings

DENVER, CO – The Senate today passed SB26-151, sponsored by Senator Chris Kolker, D-Centennial, and Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, to provide continuity for teachers by allowing DSST Public Schools to join PERA (the Public Employee's Retirement Association). 

“Teachers who move schools should be able to seamlessly continue saving up for retirement and accruing benefits,” said Kolker. “This bill closes a gap to ensure consistent access to PERA benefits inside and outside the DSST network. The bill works in tandem with other legislation I’ve passed this year to strengthen PERA and deliver meaningful benefits to the teachers, educators, and staff who are educating Colorado’s future.”

“Despite representing a large share of PERA beneficiaries, Denver Public Schools currently lacks voting authority on the PERA board,” Gonzales said. “In addition to bridging gaps for educators who rely on PERA for retirement planning and benefits, this bill would ensure that DPS gets a proportional say in the future of PERA on the board of trustees.”

DSST Public Schools, formerly known as Denver School of Science and Technology, is comprised of 16 schools in Denver and Aurora. Under current law, DSST schools in Denver are excluded from PERA while newer DSST-affiliated schools in Aurora must participate. The bill resolves that inconsistency by allowing DSST schools to join PERA, providing better continuity for teachers moving in or out of the network. 

The bill would also allow DSST employees to purchase more than 10 years of service credit within a specified window for their years at DSST to allow long-term employees to transfer over to PERA without negative impacts to their retirement plans. Additionally, the bill would add one voting member to the PERA Board of Trustees, which would be elected from the Denver Public Schools division, which represents about 45,000 PERA members.

SB26-151 joins several other pieces of legislation sponsored by Senator Kolker to strengthen PERA, expand access to benefits, and support schools. 

HB26-1146, also sponsored by Senator Cathy Kipp, D-Fort Collins, expands PERA benefits to educators and staff at facility schools, which serve students with behavioral or special education needs. This bill was signed into law on April 2. 

HB26-1027 adds a retired Board of Cooperative Services (BOCES) executive director to a list of specific education-related positions, including teachers, paraprofessionals, food service professionals, and bus drivers, who can fill vacant positions in local schools without the risk of losing their PERA benefits. This bill was signed into law on March 12.

Finally, HB26-1026 would increase flexibility and expand savings opportunities for PERA employees. It passed the Senate Finance Committee and is awaiting its hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee. 

SB26-151 now heads to the House for further consideration. Track its progress HERE.