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Clear Creek commissioners approve resolution to begin vote on sheriff's office switch from CRA 401(a) to FPPA pension
Summary
The Board of County Commissioners voted to initiate a statutory process enabling sworn peace officers in the sheriff's office to choose switching from the Colorado Retirement Association 401(a) plan to the Fire & Police Pension Association defined-benefit plan; staff said the change aims to aid recruitment but commissioners pressed for clarity on family survivor benefits and fiscal impact.
Clear Creek County commissioners on Jan. 6 approved a resolution starting the statutory process that would allow sworn peace officers in the sheriff's office to vote on moving from the Colorado Retirement Association (CRA) 401(a) plan to the Fire & Police Pension Association (FPPA) defined-benefit plan.
Peter Lichtman, who led staff presentations, told the board the resolution triggers a 90-day period under state law and would be followed by internal presentations to affected officers and an election overseen by CRA. "This is the first step," Lichtman said, explaining that if a majority of affected peace officers vote to change plans the county would then return to the board with a binding resolution to implement the change.
Sheriff Ron Thornton and his staff urged the board that the change could improve recruitment and staffing for patrol and I-70 duties. Thornton described recruitment interest after the department signaled possible enrollment in FPPA and said the department's staffing levels are improving.
Several commissioners expressed concern about trade-offs. One commissioner noted that under FPPA an employee's employer contributions may be retained by the pension system if an officer leaves early, whereas CRA participants retain their own contributions. Another commissioner asked whether FPPA allows survivors to receive benefits and was told by presenters that members can elect beneficiary options (100%, 75%, 50% or 25% survivorship), but the choice reduces monthly retirement payments accordingly.
Lichtman also told the board that the statute requires multiple presentations to the affected staff and that the election would permit officers individually to decide in writing whether to enroll in FPPA if the overall vote passes. The resolution does not itself move employees; it only initiates the withdrawal process and the required election.
The board recorded a motion to approve the resolution initiating a partial withdrawal and moved it forward by voice vote. Supporters cited recruitment and retention gains; critics cautioned the county could assume higher long-term costs and said the board should monitor fiscal impacts closely.
Next steps: staff will transmit the resolution to CRA to begin the 90-day statutory timeline, arrange additional in-house presentations from CRA and FPPA for sworn personnel, and return to the board with a final resolution if the election favors the change.
