I’ve worked most of my career in public service, and like most teachers, road workers, State Troopers and other public servants, during the time I was working I paid into the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association.
PERA provides a secure retirement to more than half a million Coloradans, and in Southwest Colorado, PERA pays out $66 million in benefits every year. That number represents 5 percent of total payroll in the region, so it’s clear the economic impact is felt by everyone in La Plata County and the rest of the state as well.
In 2010, major reforms were passed by the Legislature that called for shared sacrifice among retirees, active workers and public employers. Thanks to those reforms, PERA was made solvent. Seven years later, due to economic and demographic changes, PERA is once again proactively looking at potential reforms to ensure its long-term sustainability.
At 6 p.m. June 7 (today), PERA staff will hold a community meeting in Durango at the Holiday Inn & Suites (at 21636 Highway 160 West). This event is free and open to the public, and I hope everyone in the community – whether a PERA members or not – will attend to learn more.
Come and weigh in on potential changes.
Roy Horvath
Hesperus
