Paid Time Off

Annual (Vacation) Leave

The number of years of service an employee has worked within the State of Colorado classified employee system determines the amount of annual leave that may be earned each month.  Annual leave is earned according to the following schedule.  These leave amounts are pro-rated for permanent part-time employees.

Leave may be used the month after it is earned.  Any hours accrued over the respective maximum carry-over amount  must be used before fiscal year end (i.e., June 30) or they will be lost.  

Sick Leave  

Employees earn a set number of sick leave hours per month, irrespective of years of service.  This amount is pro-rated for permanent part-time employees.

Leave may be used the month after it is earned.  Any hours accrued above 360 and not used at fiscal year end (i.e., June 30) are converted to annual leave on a five-to-one sick-to-annual leave basis.  For example, an employee with 400 accrued sick leave hours at fiscal year end will carry-over into the new fiscal year 360 hours of sick leave and 8 hours of additional annual leave.  Amount of additional annual leave hours to carry-over is calculated by dividing the difference between accrued sick leave hours and the maximum carry-over amount by five (e.g., 40 sick leave hours divided by 5 equals 8 annual leave hours).

Holidays

All permanent employees are eligible to take 10 days paid holiday leave per year, as established by the Governor.

Insurance Benefits 

Medical

Medical benefits are elective and require employees to share the cost of premiums.  State of Colorado makes the following contributions during the plan year toward health insurance premiums.

State of Colorado currently offers several health plans to choose from.   A comprehensive description of the State's medical plans, the respective employee contribution to monthly premiums (through June 30, 2009), and plan coverage areas are available in the Medical section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Dental

Dental insurance may be purchased by the employee. Visit the Dental section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website to review the State's dental plan description and to check the rates. This site will open in a new window. You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Life

Employees are covered by a $40,000 policy paid by the State.  Employees may elect to purchase additional coverage up to $300,000.  Spouse and dependent coverage may also be purchased by the employee.

Specific information on life insurance is accessible in the Life section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (This site will open in a new window.  To return to this page, you may close or minimize the window).

Retirement Benefits  

Retirement Program

Effective January 1, 2006 new employees who have not been covered by the Public Employees’ Retirement Association of Colorado (PERA) plan within the past 12 months, have a choice of Retirement Plans. State of Colorado employees do not contribute to Social Security.  Instead, employees contribute eight percent of their monthly salary to their choice of Retirement plans.  For information on what Retirement plans are available, vist the Retirement Choice section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.

State Matching Deferred Compensation Plans

In addition to matching employees' contributions to their PERA retirement accounts, employees can also contribute to a Deferred Compensation Plan.

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• 401K Plan (administered by PERA and only available to employees enrolled in one of PERA's Retirement plans)

Additional information on both plans is available in the Retirement Choice & Supplemental Tax Deferred Savings Plans section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Disability Benefits

Short-Term Disability (STD)

State of Colorado provides employees STD coverage free of charge.  PERA provides supplemental STD coverage to vested employees (employees with a minimum of five years of State service), also at no cost to the employee.

Long-Term Disability (LTD)

State of Colorado offers LTD coverage to employees who wish to purchase it.  Vested employees are eligible for PERA disability retirement coverage at no cost to the employee.

Additional information on the State's and PERA's disability programs is available in the Disability section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)

Health Care

Employees may contribute up to $3,000 annually, pre-tax, to a Health Care FSA.  Contributions are made in monthly installments, and are reimbursed for qualifying medical expenses such as deductibles or co-payments for medical and dental exams, prescription drugs, medical aids, etc.  

Dependent Care

Employees may contribute up to $2,500 annually, pre-tax, to a Dependent Day Care FSA.  Contributions are made in monthly installments, and are reimbursed for qualifying work-related dependent care expenses.

To learn more about these accounts (e.g., expenses that are and are not reimbursable, etc.), visit the Flexible Spending Accounts section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Health SAVINGS Accounts (HSA)

Health Savings Account

Employee may contribute up to 1/12 of the annual deductible of the State's PPO-H health plan into an HSA. Federal rules stipulate that an HSA must be in conjunction with an HSA-qualified helath plan. The only State plan that qualifies is the PPO-H. The contributions are deducted post-tax and are made in monthly installments. The contributions can be a deduction on income taxes without itemizing.

To learn more about these accounts, visit the Health Saving Accounts section of the State of Colorado Employee Benefits website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Employee Assistance Program

Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (C-SEAP)

C-SEAP provides confidential short-term counseling to all state employees and their immediate family members (age 15 and older).  Other services offered include supervisor consultation and conflict resolution assistance. 

For additional information, visit the C-SEAP website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

WORK-LIFE Program

Colorado State Employee Work-Life Program

Offers work-life options including alternative work arrangements, resource and referral information and employee discounts. 

For additional information, visit the DPA Work-Life website.  (The site will open in a new window.  You may close or minimize the window when you are ready to return to this page).

Credit Union Membership  

Credit Union of Colorado (formerly Colorado State Employees Credit Union, or CSECU)

Colorado State employees and their family members are eligible for membership with the Credit Union of Colorado.  For information on Credit Union of Colorado products and services, visit their website.  https://www.cuofco.org/.

If you have any benefit questions, please contact CDOT's Benefit Coordinator