Allow Approved Facility Schools Participate in Public Employees' Retirement Association

Public retirement access for facility school staff

The law lets Colorado schools meeting the legal definition of an approved facility school apply to join the Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA). PERA board approval is required, and approved schools join its local government division. Employer and employee retirement benefits, rights, and duties begin on the school’s affiliation date. To leave, a school needs a governing-body ordinance or resolution approved by at least 65% of its PERA-member employees. Those employees must receive written notice of their termination-related rights before voting. A school that closes or stops participating is treated as leaving and must follow PERA’s termination requirements. Existing Denver school rules remain, including Denver school board approval for employers joining PERA’s Denver public schools division. The law takes effect at 12:01 a.m. the day after the 90-day period following final legislative adjournment expires. That date is August 12, 2026, if final adjournment is May 13, 2026. If a referendum petition is filed, the law takes effect only after voter approval in November 2026 and the governor’s official declaration of the vote.