About Friends of PERA
Friends of PERA (FOP) is a grassroots organization of PERA members, retirees, and other persons who support retaining Colorado PERA as a defined benefit plan. FOP educates PERA constituents, Colorado legislators, and the general public about the value of this 75-year-old investment and benefits program.
Why was FOP organized?
A group of PERA members and retirees began Friends of PERA in February 2006 to oppose a ballot initiative that was being considered by some legislators and a group known as the Americans for Prosperity.
Many active or retired PERA members did not realize that it would have profoundly affected them by, in effect, forcing a cut in the level of benefits they receive from PERA. The initiative basically called for a dismantling of PERA as we know it by closing the defined benefit plan to all new public employees and changing the Board of Trustees into one primarily appointed by the Governor. Eventually, the cost to provide the PERA benefits would have increased substantially.
FOP was first registered with the Secretary of State as an "issues committee".
Legislative action in the May 2006 made a number of tolerable changes to PERA and the ballot initiative was withdrawn. FOP was encouraged by many people to continue operating as an advocate of PERA since PERA itself is very limited in what it can do regarding ballot initiatives.
Consequently, FOP became a 501(c)4 non-profit educational group to advocate for or oppose legislation. While the organization is tax exempt, donations to FOP are not tax-deductible.
Financial Support Needed
To continue operating, FOP needs your financial support. You may send a donation to Friends of PERA, Box 27896, Denver, CO 80227.
Please include your name, home address, e-mail, and name of employer if employed when sending a donation.