SB 23-163

Senate Bill 23-163 changes the classification of wildlife and parks officers employed by Colorado’s Parks and Wildlife division since January 1, 2011, to state trooper status. This change affects their retirement benefits under the Public Employees' Retirement Association. The bill also allocates funds from specific cash reserves for wildlife and park operations. Governor Jared Polis signed this bill into law on June 6, 2023, making it effective immediately on that date.

Official Summary

Beginning July 1, 2023, the act classifies a wildlife officer and a parks and recreation officer employed by the division of parks and wildlife (division) in the department of natural resources (department) and hired on or after January 1, 2011, as a state trooper for the purpose of determining the officer's public employees' retirement association service retirement eligibility and benefit. For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, $236,364 is appropriated from the wildlife cash fund to the department for use by the division for wildlife operations and $168,070 is appropriated from the parks and outdoor recreation cash fund to the department for use by the division for state park operations. APPROVED by Governor June 6, 2023 EFFECTIVE June 6, 2023 (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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