MEMBERSHIP ORGANIZATIONS

Public education professionals in Colorado, unlike many other states, are free to join or not to join an employee organization. There are various unions and professional associations from which teachers can choose, including the following:

Professional Association of Colorado Educators
Christian Educators
American Federation of Teachers, Local 858
Colorado Education Association
Homeowners Insurance Plans and School District Employee Coverage

Teachers also may consider pursuing one or more variations of the local-only union option.

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COLORADO EDUCATORS

The Professional Association of Colorado Educators (PACE) is a state-based affiliate of the Association of American Educators (AAE) as of July 2007. AAE is the largest national non-union professional association, offering many of the same benefits that other teacher organizations provide—but at a fraction of the cost. AAE provides professional liability insurance, legal protection and professional development resources but without getting involved in partisan politics and controversial issues. In fact, AAE will never support or endorse any political advocacy, candidacy or cause.

PACE is the premier professional teachers’ association that advances the profession through personal growth, professional development, teacher advocacy and protection, as well as promoting educational excellence, so that its members receive the respect, recognition and reward they deserve. Professional membership is available for students, retired educators, and associate members. Contact PACE for more information on costs and membership benefits.

Professional Association of Colorado Educators
9800 Mount Pyramid Court, Suite 400
Englewood, CO 80112
Telephone: 720-895-1980
Toll Free: 877-640-7223 (PACE)
E-Mail: info@coloradoteachers.org
Website: www.coloradoteachers.org

CHRISTIAN EDUCATORS

Christian Educators, formerly CEAI, is a leader in promoting the rights of religious persons in public education and in providing benefits for educators (including professional liability insurance). Their mission is to serve the educational community by encouraging, equipping and empowering Christian educators in public and private education.

There is no Colorado Christian Educators chapter, but teachers can join the national organization. Contact Christian Educators for more information on membership costs and benefits.

Christian Educators
Website: www.ChristianEducators.org

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS COLORADO

The American Federation of Teachers was founded in 1916 to represent the economic, social and professional interests of classroom teachers. It is an affiliated international union of the AFL-CIO. AFT Colorado was organized as the Colorado Federation of Teachers, and was chartered October 26, 1946.

The vision of AFT Colorado is a federation of locals in which all members join together to pursue professional, political, and social issues that benefit their personal lives, their communities, and the institutions in which they work. Through political action and the bargaining process AFT Colorado promotes the issues of secure employment, a living wage, dignity in the workplace, equality of opportunity for advancement and improvement of standard of living.

Contact AFT Colorado for more information on membership costs and benefits.

AFT Colorado
925 S. Niagara Street
Denver, CO 80224-1681
Telephone: 303-947-6709
Email: info@aftcolorado.org
Website: http://www.aftcolorado.org

COLORADO EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

The Colorado Education Association (CEA), stands for reducing class sizes, making schools safer, securing technology resources, and increasing school funding. Local associations advocate at the local school board, while full-time lobbyists work at the Legislature and in Congress, along with member lobbyists from local affiliates. Full-time professional members pay combined dues to CEA and the National Education Association (NEA), with additional dues costs varying for local associations.

The CEA funds and supports campaigns to elect lawmakers and school board members, to fund 527 political committees, and to pass local (mill levy and bond) and state ballot issues. Each member’s refundable Every Member Option contributes to the CEA’s political activities. No political contributions to the NEA are refundable.

Contact CEA directly for more information on membership costs and benefits.

Colorado Education Association
1500 Grant Street
Denver, CO 80203
Telephone: 303-837-1500
Website: http://www.coloradoea.org

HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE PLANS
Check with your insurance agent about adding liability coverage to your homeowners’ policy.

SCHOOL DISTRICT EMPLOYEE COVERAGE
Check with your school district about liability coverage that your employer may have already purchased.

This information made available as a service of the Independence Institute’s Education Policy Center. If we have omitted any membership options available to Colorado educators or have posted any inaccurate or outdated information, please let us know so we can take care to update our pages.