Staff Publications Subject(s): State Government Published: October 30, 2024 Agency: Legislative Council Staff The state legislature established the Colorado Public Employee's Retirement Association (PERA) in 1931 to provide a pension benefit to state and local government employees, predating the federal Social Security Act of 1935 by four years. PERA is administered under Article 51 of Title 24 of the Colorado Revised Statutes. Download Document