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State Employees Honored at PSRW Luncheon
Gov. Jared Polis and executive leadership from across State government recognized 22 employees for their superior service to the people of Colorado during 2023.
The lunch at the Governor’s Residence on May 9 was part of the State's Public Service Recognition Week.
Each year since 1985, the U.S. Congress designates the first full week of May as Public Service Recognition Week – time set aside to honor public employees and to educate the public about the many ways government workers make life better for all Americans.
To celebrate the important contributions of our State employees, the Governor’s Office and the Department of Personnel & Administration asked each executive branch agency to select one employee for 2023 who most exemplifies the significant and invaluable contributions public servants make to the quality of life in our State.
Department and Honoree:
Colorado Energy Office, Crystal Egelkamp
Department of Agriculture, Rakel Sanchez
Department of Corrections, Ed Caley
Department of Early Childhood, Valerie Limes
Department of Education, Marie Sanchez
Department of Health Care Policy & Financing, Nancy Dolson
Department of Higher Education, Heather Delange
Department of Human Services, Abigail Oneill
Department of Labor & Employment, Chris McGill
Department of Local Affairs, Alex Diaz
Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Angela Ingalls
Department of Natural Resources, Shalana Gray
Department of Personnel & Administration, Jolina Lewis
Department of Public Health & Environment, Curtis Burns
Department of Public Safety, Micki Trost
Department of Regulatory Agencies, Larry Smith
Department of Revenue, Sonya Thordsen
Department of Transportation, Herman Stockinger
Governor’s Office, Brandon Davis
Office of State Planning & Budgeting, Megan Davisson
Office of Economic Development & International Trade, Sonya Guram
Governor’s Office of Information Technology, Megan Gernert
For more information, you can read a full narrative for each employee who was recognized for their contribution to State government and the citizens of Colorado.
Identity Manager Now Available
State employees now have the option to supplement their name in Identity Manager with their desired pronouns.
This new feature will help ensure that everyone is addressed in the manner with which each individual authentically identifies.
Allowing our employees to identify themselves with pronouns makes people feel more welcome, builds stronger teams, and creates an inclusive environment.
This information will be displayed in your Google Workspace (e.g. Google Meet, Calendar, Gmail) once the update is made.
Learn how to supplement your name with your pronouns by using the Identity Manager Updating Pronouns User Guide, and consult What and Why of Personal Pronouns.
The State's Universal Policy on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion asks all State employees to co-create a welcoming, supporting, safe, affirming, and respectful work environment with colleagues. Executive Order 2020 175 outlines that Colorado is committed to working together to lead the nation in equity, diversity, and inclusion efforts.
If you need assistance supplementing your name with your pronouns in Identity Manager, submit a ticket to the OIT Service Desk through the OIT Customer Service Portal, or by calling 303-239-4357.
Note: This new feature is available for individuals should they choose to use it. Individuals should not be forced to share pronouns.
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Take Control of Your Health and Save $$$
Our no-cost employee wellness program, STATE OF HEALTH, is designed to help you reach your optimal state of health. Not only is this program proven to help, but participants can earn a $20 discount every month, totaling $240 off annual medical costs for each year of participation.
Through an almost entirely virtual platform, STATE OF HEALTH offers:
- Three levels of support
- Personalized health coaching
- On-demand and live fitness classes
- Skill groups that cover topics like nutrition, exercise, stress management, and getting better sleep
- And more!
To learn more, register for one of the webinars below.
American Sign Language interpretation will be provided. To request additional accommodation, please don't hesitate to contact Sarah Rothberg at sarah.rothberg@state.co.us.
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Technology Accessibility Cleanup Bill
Signed by Gov. Polis
Senate Bill 23-244 clarifies statutory language adopted in HB21-1110 to ensure the provision of reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. This bill requires the Office of Information Technology (OIT) to undertake rulemaking to promulgate rules for accessibility standards for information technology systems employed by State agencies.
SB23-244 also clarifies language regarding sanctions for an agency’s failure to comply with IT accessibility standards.
Additionally, this bill extends the length of time available for certain State agencies to spend funds appropriated for compliance with IT accessibility standards from FY 2023-24 to FY 2025-26.
For more information, please review the Cleanup Bill Fact Sheet.
Important Information
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REMINDER:
Fiscal Year End Pay Date Shift in June
This is a reminder to employees who are paid
monthly that, due to the end-of-fiscal-year pay date shift, you will be paid on Monday, July 3, 2023, instead of Friday, June 30.
Employees that are paid biweekly are not impacted by the pay date shift.
Once we pass the transition to the new fiscal year, monthly-paid staff will return to the regular pay date cadence in July.
Please remember to make plans with creditors and financial institutions should you have automatic payments or withdrawals scheduled in conjunction with the first of the month.
Please contact your department's payroll specialist with any questions.
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FAMLI Deductions Start July 3
As a reminder, with the passage of Senate Bill 23-234 on April 12, employees must now pay their share of the FAMLI premium at 0.45% as a payroll deduction beginning July 1, 2023.
The full premium is 0.90% of wages, split evenly between the State and employees. Employees paid monthly will see the first deduction on their July 31, 2023, paycheck, and deductions will start for employees paid biweekly on their July 28, 2023, paycheck.
The FAMLI program premiums began on Jan. 1, 2023. The State covered the full premium for employees for the first half of this calendar year.
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Governor Grants July 3 Holiday
State offices will be closed, and all permanent State employees will receive a Governor's holiday on Monday, July 3, 2023.
"In the past, I have granted Christmas Eve as a Governor’s Holiday," Gov. Polis said. "This year, however, Christmas falls on a Monday, so I wanted to find a different special time for a day off and concluded that July 3 would be the most meaningful for members of our team."
Employees who are required to work on July 3 to provide critical services to Coloradans will receive eight hours of administrative leave to be used within the fiscal year.
Any questions regarding the Governor’s Holidays should be directed to your agency’s HR or payroll office.
Don't forget to also celebrate Juneteenth on Monday, June 19, 2023!
Follow CSEAP on Social Media
The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP) has new social media accounts!
CSEAP is a free resource to all State employees for mental health counseling, leader consultation, critical incident response, mediation, or webinar and facilitation services.
Please follow CSEAP for upcoming mental health & wellbeing content on their CSEAP Facebook and CSEAP Instagram accounts.
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Qualifying Life Events: What are They?
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After you make your elections during your first 31 days of eligibility or during open enrollment, you cannot change your medical, dental, vision, or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) elections outside of our annual open enrollment unless you have a Qualifying Life Event (QLE).
These events include (but are not limited to):
- Newborns
- Adoptions
- Marriages
- Divorce
- Spouse changing jobs
When you experience a QLE, you have 31 days to change your benefit elections in benefitsolver.
For more information, please contact your agency benefits administrator or HR office.
PLEASE NOTE: You should start the change in benefitsolver even if you don’t have the required documents. If you wait for the documents and try to start the change after the 31-day deadline, the change cannot be made.
Special Offer for State Employees to See Cirque de Soleil KOOZA
Cirque du Soleil KOOZA – Under the Big Top – Ball Arena 4Runner West Lot, July 5 – Aug. 13
KOOZA is a return to the origins of Cirque du Soleil: It combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility, presented in a colorful mélange that emphasizes bold slapstick humor.
State of Colorado Employees Offer: Use this link or code SG20SOC to save up to 20% off select seats/dates. Groups of 10+, save 25% + reduced handling fees, contact Michael.Ciaccia@cirquedusoleil.com for details.
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Labor Relations Training for Supervisors and Employees
DPA's Division of Human Resources has partnered with the Center for Organizational Effectiveness (COE) to develop new curricula that will further support the development and success of State employees and facilitate understanding of the Partnership Agreement with Colorado WINS and its impact.
Labor Relations for Leaders
This course helps supervisors gain an understanding of the Partnership Agreement. PLEASE NOTE: This training is for non-covered State employees only. Verification will be needed for registration.
Introduction to Collective Bargaining
As collective bargaining is now an integral part of State employment, it is essential to understand the key elements of negotiation.
Log in to COTRAIN for more details about these and other valuable classes.
For more tips and training information, read the most recent COE Newsletter.
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PERA-Focused Bills Pass in Legislature
The General Assembly considered multiple PERA-related bills in the recent legislative session, ultimately passing three.
One allocates additional funding to make up the State's missed 2020 direct distribution to PERA.
Another requires PERA to include a description of climate-related investment risks, impacts, and strategies in its annual Investment Stewardship Report.
The third reclassifies wildlife, and parks and recreation officers as safety officers for determining their PERA benefits.
Visit peraontheissues.com for the latest legislative updates, and other news about public employee retirement.
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