Senate Passes Bipartisan Zenzinger Bills to Address Teacher Shortage, Set Students Up For Success

Legislation would help retirees return to their school districts without fear of losing any PERA benefits

DENVER, CO – Today, the Senate approved two bipartisan bills sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) to address the state’s teacher workforce shortage and prepare Colorado students for success.

Colorado is facing a significant teacher shortage, and rural school districts are suffering from an extreme labor shortage that extends beyond the classroom. During the 2020-2021 school year nearly 13% of teacher positions were filled through a shortage mechanism and more than 200 positions went unfilled statewide. 

“Colorado's teacher shortage has reached a critical level in recent years, and it is up to the legislature to provide support,” said Sen. Zenzinger. “If we can entice retirees to return to the classroom by preserving their PERA benefits, then our solution is simple and obvious. For the sake of our students, we need to tap into those resources. This strategy will be particularly beneficial to underserved and rural communities.”

HB22-1057, co-sponsored by Senator Rob Woodward (R-Loveland), would waive limitations on the number of days retired teachers can work as substitute teachers when there is a critical substitute teacher shortage. This bill aims to incentivize retired teachers to help with shortages by making it possible for them to substitute teach without the fear of losing their retirement benefits.

If passed, HB22-1057 would temporarily waive rules set by the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA) limiting the number of days qualified service retirees can substitute teach. Under current limitations, if retired teachers work over the number of allotted days, their PERA benefits are reduced. The bill temporarily lifts the waiver until July 1st, 2025.

The Senate also passed HB22-1101, co-sponsored by Senator Jerry Sonnenberg (R-Sterling), which would extend an existing successful program allowing retirees to return to rural school districts experiencing a critical shortage of staff without a reduction to their PERA benefits.

The bill would make permanent a program currently set to expire next year that allows retired rural teachers, school bus drivers, and food service workers to return to work without a reduction in their PERA benefits. 

Both bills now move to the Governor’s desk. Track the progress of HB22-1057 here, and HB22-1101 here.