Committee advances bill to let DSST staff join PERA and give DPS trustee a vote on board

Senate Finance moved Senate Bill 26-151 to the Appropriations Committee after testimony from DSST leaders, Colorado PERA and Denver Public Schools that the change would let DSST chartered by Denver Public Schools join PERA and would convert the DPS ex‑officio trustee into a voting trustee on the PERA board.

Senator Gonzales, a sponsor, said the proposal responded to educator concerns and would allow Denver School of Science and Technology staff to participate in PERA alongside other educators. "This policy would allow DSST... to join PERA... and ensures that all educators are able to utilize and participate in this grama," the sponsor said.

Nick Planton, DSST chief operating officer, told the committee the affiliation would add roughly 1,000 new PERA members and — based on projected payroll — contribute more than $15 million in annual contributions to PERA. Tamara Ghandour (DSST chief people officer) said staff surveys show more than 70% of DSST employees view PERA as an important factor in retention and career mobility.

Andrew Roth, executive director of Colorado PERA, said the change is not expected to materially affect the Denver Public Schools Division Trust Fund’s funding status and that making the DPS trustee a voting member corrects a long‑standing governance mismatch dating to the 2009 merger of the DPS retirement system and PERA.

Committee members pressed sponsors and witnesses on mechanics: whether adding voting membership would create an even-numbered board and how tie votes would be resolved; how DSST employees’ prior service would be recognized; and what the employer contribution obligations would be. PERA staff explained a five‑year vesting horizon for new members, confirmed actuarial pricing governs service‑credit purchases, and said contributions paid by employers are designed to fund future liabilities.

Sponsors closed in support, and Senator Kolker moved SB 26-151 to Appropriations with a favorable recommendation. The committee recorded the motion and referred the bill to Appropriations.