CSPERA, Colorado School and Public Employees Retirement Association is a non-profit organization supported by the dues and contributions of active employed and retired PERA participants. The organization represents over 5500 school and public employees in the state of Colorado.
CSPERA’s purpose is to promote and protect the economic well-being and quality of life for both active employed and those already retired
PERA participants.
We fulfill our purpose by offering pension representation, pension education, and personal fitness/healthy lifestyles education. It is our goal to connect generations of workers in order to make the dream of a secure retirement for all come true.
Your support will help our services to you grow bigger and stronger.
CSPERA History
Our organization was first known as the Colorado Retired Teachers Association, which was established January 1, 1979. CRTA originated with a local club in Pueblo District 20 in 1943 and in Pueblo District 6 in 1947. In 1948, educators in Colorado Springs met to organize a club similar to the ones started in Pueblo. The named their group Colorado Springs Retired Teachers Association. During the 1950's, three more units were formed: Boulder, Denver and Weld County.
In December 1950, these units, with the help of the Colorado Education Association, held their first meeting and organized as the Colorado Retired Teachers Association. Dues were set at $1.25, with CEA retaining $1.00 for clerical work and publication of a CRTA newsletter. From the beginning, financial stability was of great importance of the newly formed group. Retirees were receiving from $100.00 to $120.00 a month. Things did not improve significantly
when in 1974 it was reported that there were 1700 teachers who were receiving not more that $1000.00 per year. For those teachers who retired before the pension plan was established, there was great concern. They were receiving $50.00 per month and this was later raised to $200.00 per month.
During the seventies, 13 more units were admitted to CRTA. During these years CRTA was very influential in obtaining cost of living raises. The three percent "across the board" raises granted by the legislature in May of each year from the general fund became effective in 1970. With 1700 PERA retirees receiving not more than $1000.00 per year, the organization felt that it was of the utmost importance that this situation be corrected.
The Colorado Retired School Employees Association exists only because of you. It was the founder's objective to try to maintain a positive quality of life for education retirees of this state. Back in 1950, our benefits were dependent on the whims of the Colorado Legislature. And to some extent they remain so.
