Colorado FPPA Occupationally Disabled Retirees for Fair COLAs

Our Mission

We are a growing group of retired public safety professionals living with occupational disabilities—firefighters, law enforcement officers, and their supporters—united in advocating for fair, consistent cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for those who were medically retired due to duty-related injuries.

This initiative brings together injured retirees and their allies to raise awareness, share accurate information, and demand meaningful policy reform. The cost of living in Colorado has surged—rising approximately 36.5% between 2015 and 2025 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Inflation Calculator, 2025; Colorado Inflation Data – in2013dollars.com, 2025). Yet some occupationally disabled retirees have received only one COLA of less than $7 (0.22%) since 2017. Meanwhile, the costs of housing, healthcare, and daily essentials continue to rise.

Our mission is to unite and empower members, educate the public, and urge Colorado lawmakers and FPPA leadership to revise outdated policies that have left many behind. Together, our voices are stronger—and more necessary than ever.

Understanding FPPA’s Position

Like many FPPA retirees, we are increasingly disheartened as the years pass without receiving cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs). Despite repeated outreach by retirees, FPPA staff and board members have consistently offered the same explanation—a position that has remained largely unchanged.

In its 2025 response to renewed inquiries, FPPA leadership reaffirmed its long-standing policy of excluding occupationally disabled members from COLA eligibility.

The Statewide Death & Disability (D&D) Plan, established in the 1970s, provides 50% of pre-disability earnings to members classified as occupationally disabled. FPPA assumes these individuals can still work in some capacity and thus excludes them from COLA eligibility.

Only those deemed totally disabled—unable to work in any capacity—qualify for fixed COLA increases.

In 2025, the FPPA reaffirmed this stance, citing:

  • A reported $58.5 million shortfall in the D&D Plan.

  • Concerns that expanding COLAs would increase financial strain.

However, this policy ignores the reality: being classified as occupationally disabled—regardless of one’s capacity to pursue alternative employment—should not disqualify a retiree from fair cost-of-living adjustments. Inflation continues to erode the value of these fixed benefits, placing all occupationally disabled members at long-term financial risk.

Why This Policy Must Change

The current COLA policy falls short of the values it claims to uphold. 

  • Fails to reflect the long-term consequences of duty-related injuries—whether physical, psychological, or financial.

  • Creates avoidable financial instability for those who can no longer serve due to line-of-duty disability.

  • Applies outdated assumptions about earning capacity that do not align with today’s medical, economic, or public safety realities.

  • Undermines the FPPA’s own principles of serving first responders who serve our community by proving basic financial security in retirement and administering benefits impartially.

Colorado’s public safety retirees deserve a system that evolves with the times. It is time for FPPA leadership and state lawmakers to modernize this policy—ensuring that all occupationally disabled members receive equitable, inflation-protected benefits that honor their service and sacrifice.

Why This Affects All First Responders—Now and in the Future

Every active-duty firefighter and police officer lives one call away from a career-ending injury. If current policies don’t protect today’s injured retirees, tomorrow’s injured heroes will face the same neglect.

Fair cost-of-living adjustments are not a gesture—they’re a necessity. They ensure that those injured while serving their communities are not left behind as costs rise. This is not just about retirement security—it’s about honoring commitments, preserving dignity, and ensuring financial stability for the decades that follow service.

By advocating for COLA reform today, we are not only defending the dignity of those already injured—we are protecting the next generation of public safety professionals.

Who Is Receiving COLAs—and Who Is Being Left Out?

As of 2025, significant disparities remain in how cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are distributed among FPPA benefit recipients.

Occupationally disabled retirees under the Statewide Death & Disability (SWDD) Plan are not eligible for compounding COLAs unless they have received benefits for at least 15 years. Even then, the increase is limited. The FPPA Board approved a 1.0% ad hoc benefit adjustment, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026, for occupational disability retirees, their beneficiaries, and survivors of active-duty members who meet the 15-year threshold. Those with fewer than 15 years on benefit will receive no adjustment. The decision was based on several factors, including the plan’s funded status, which was 91.4% as of January 1, 2025 (Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado, 2025).

In contrast, members classified as totally disabled receive a guaranteed 3.0% COLA annually, regardless of years on benefit. Additionally, in 2025, retirees in the Statewide Retirement Plan (SRP) were granted a 0.27% compounding COLA and a 2.63% one-time lump sum payment (Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado, 2025).

 

Financial Priorities and Transparency

Despite FPPA’s claims of financial stress, recent financial and policy decisions raise questions about the organization’s stated limitations in providing cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to occupationally disabled retirees.

 

At the same time:

 

  • For several years, COLAs have remained frozen for occupationally disabled retirees with fewer than 15 years of credited benefits.

  • In 2024, one FPPA executive compensation position increased to $403,000 (FPPA Board Minutes - February 15, 2024), with a $161,200 incentive bonus (39.99%) (CORA Request – July 14, 2025). The base salary was further increased to $455,000 in 2025, with a full (100%) performance incentive payout awarded for three non-investment performance areas measured (FPPA Board Minutes - February 27, 2025).

  • In 2024, FPPA distributed $556,539.50 in incentive bonuses among 15 executive employees—representing just over 20% of total FPPA personnel (CORA request July 14, 2025).

  • The FPPA Board approved retention bonuses equal to 20% of base salary per year for executive leadership, including:

  • In 2025, the FPPA personnel budget totaled $9.68 million, with an additional $232,570 allocated for staff education to support 68 full-time employees, 3 contractors, and 2 vacant positions (FPPA Directors Meeting Report– June 11-13, 2025, p. 721; CORA request July 14, 2025).

 

These facts suggest a need to re-evaluate policy priorities in light of current financial capacity. This contrast highlights an opportunity to reassess how FPPA’s financial flexibility might be used to enhance support for injured retirees.

This position has not changed in several years, despite rising inflation and increasing financial hardship for occupationally disabled retirees who are often unable—or limited in their ability—to return to the workforce due to injury, illness, or service-related trauma.

 

For full transparency, FPPA Board of Directors meeting minutes are publicly available and document discussions on executive compensation, investment performance, and benefit-related policies.

 

*All compensation figures are cited solely to provide context in the discussion of policy priorities, not to reflect on any individual’s character or performance. These figures are not intended as criticism of compensation practices, but rather to underscore FPPA’s discretionary spending power and its capacity to revisit outdated policies affecting occupationally disabled retirees.

 

Get Involved — Your Voice and Insights Matter

Have relevant information, documents, or updates that could support this initiative?

Whether you’ve contacted a legislator, received a response from FPPA, or have documentation to share, your insight strengthens our collective efforts. This campaign depends on transparency and collaboration among retirees, families, and supporters statewide.

We are a volunteer-led effort working to secure fair cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Colorado’s occupationally retired FPPA members. To keep overhead low and impact high, we rely on people—not paid lobbyists.

Whether you can help with:

  • Outreach to legislators
  • Policy research
  • Submitting public records requests
  • Sharing information with others

—your time and skills matter.

No politics. No payroll. Just people helping people.

Join us and be part of a focused, results-driven movement for real policy change.

Ready to Volunteer or Share Information?

Click below or email us at  cola4retirees@gmail.com to get involved and support COLA reform for current and future Colorado occupationally retired FPPA members.

How You Can Help

  • Write a short letter or email describing your experience and your concerns. (See the sample email guide below.)
  • Email or mail your letter to the contacts below.
  • Share this message with other occupationally disabled retirees, as well as their family members and supporters.
  • Encourage coordinated outreach—legislators are more likely to act when they hear from multiple constituents on the same issue.

Your Voice Makes a Difference

Whether you’re a retiree, family member, or concerned citizen, your voice matters. By taking a few minutes to reach out, you help drive progress toward fairness and long-overdue COLA reform.

Help Restore COLAs for Occupationally Disabled FPPA Retirees

Below is the contact information for state legislators, the Governor’s office, and FPPA Board members who influence policy decisions regarding COLA eligibility.

Sample Email Guide

When writing to a legislator, FPPA leader, or public official, your personal story carries weight. A clear and respectful message—including your background, how the lack of COLAs has impacted you, and your specific policy request—can make a powerful difference.

Your email should include:

  • Who you are and your connection to FPPA

  • The year you retired due to an occupational disability and a summary of your cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) history

  • Impact of inflation on your daily life

  • A brief description of your injury or health limitations

  • A request to support COLA reform for occupationally disabled retirees

Be sincere, respectful, and specific. Your individual story helps humanize this issue and shows the real-world impact of current policy.

Contact the Colorado House Finance Committee

The House Finance Committee oversees legislation related to state pensions and public finance, including policies governing the Fire & Police Pension Association (FPPA).

Ways the Committee Can Help:

  • Make COLA reform for occupationally disabled retirees a legislative priority

  • Hold hearings to examine the long-term financial impact of the COLA freeze on FPPA occupationally disabled retirees

  • Request testimony or reporting from FPPA leadership on the sustainability and fairness of current COLA policies

  • Support legislation that reinstates or mandates annual COLAs for occupationally disabled retirees

  • Explore funding strategies or cost-sharing models to support COLA restoration

  • Promote greater transparency and legislative oversight of FPPA’s COLA decision-making process

 

Contact Governor Jared Polis

The Governor plays a vital role in shaping the legislative agenda, approving the state budget, and promoting transparency in state-managed retirement systems.

Ways the Governor Can Help:

  • Publicly endorse COLA reform for FPPA occupationally disabled retirees

  • Request an independent financial review or audit of FPPA’s COLA policy and fund management

  • Support legislative and budgetary initiatives to restore COLAs for occupationally disabled public safety retirees

Contact Your State Legislators

our lawmakers need to hear from you. Legislators respond to constituents—your voice matters.

Ways Your Senator and Representative Can Help:

  • Support legislation or oversight efforts to reinstate fair and consistent cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for occupationally disabled retirees under the FPPA Statewide Death & Disability Plan

  • Introduce or co-sponsor legislation to restore annual COLAs for these retirees

  • Initiate a legislative review or oversight hearing on the sustainability and equity of current COLA policies

  • Champion funding solutions to make COLA restoration financially viable

  • Promote greater transparency and accountability in how FPPA determines and administers COLAs

 

Contact the FPPA Board of Directors

The FPPA Board oversees the management of disability and retirement benefits. Share how the absence of COLAs has impacted you or your family.

Ways the FPPA Board Members Can Help:

  • Commission a dedicated actuarial and financial analysis focused on COLAs for occupationally disabled retirees

  • Establish a clear, public timeline and strategy for restoring annual COLAs

  • Acknowledge the unique long-term financial challenges faced by occupationally disabled retirees

  • Increase transparency around COLA decisions and fund performance

  • Host a public forum to hear directly from occupationally disabled retirees affected by COLA freezes

 

Contact FPPA Executive Director Kevin Lindahl

As Executive Director, Mr. Lindahl plays a key role in policy development and communication with the FPPA Board.

Ways the Executive Director Can Help:

  • Recommend that the FPPA Board commission a targeted actuarial and financial analysis on reinstating COLAs for occupationally disabled retirees

  • Advise the Board to establish a clear, transparent roadmap for restoring COLAs

  • Ensure that data and policy recommendations reflect the financial challenges facing injured, early retirees

  • Support public engagement efforts, including listening sessions with affected members

To help ensure your message reaches the appropriate person, include a note in your email indicating it is intended for Executive Director Kevin Lindahl.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the mission of Colorado FPPA Retirees for Fair COLAs?

The Colorado FPPA Retirees for Fair COLAs Initiative exists to advocate for equitable, inflation-adjusted retirement benefits for occupationally disabled public safety retirees. We are committed to promoting policy reform that reflects the dignity of service, the reality of disability, and the need for financial sustainability in retirement. Our mission is to unite and empower Colorado’s occupationally disabled FPPA retirees to ensure their voices are heard by legislators, FPPA leadership, and the public.

How can I get involved in advocacy efforts for fair COLAs?

Getting involved starts with using your voice—and your story matters. The more retirees who speak up, the harder it becomes for policymakers to ignore this issue.

You can help by:

  1. Contacting Colorado legislators – Reach out to members of the House Finance Committee and your local representatives. We’ve provided email templates and contact information to make it easy.

  2. Sharing your story – Your experience adds power to this movement. Personal accounts help legislators understand the real impact of stagnant benefits.

  3. Spreading the word – Talk to fellow retirees, post on social media, and encourage others to visit this site and take action.

  4. Staying connected – Subscribe to updates so you can be informed about upcoming hearings, meetings, or public comment opportunities.

When we speak together, we become a force for change. Join us in calling on Colorado leaders to provide fair, inflation-adjusted COLAs for all FPPA retirees who gave so much in service.

How can I get access to the 2024 and 2025 FPPA Board Minutes?

You can access the official FPPA Board of Directors meeting minutes by visiting the FPPA’s Board of Directors archive pages:

šŸ”¹ 2024 Board Meeting Minutes

šŸ”¹ 2025 Board Meeting Minutes

These pages include downloadable PDFs of meeting records that detail executive compensation decisions, financial updates, and other actions taken by the FPPA Board.

 

How can I help if Iā€™m not an FPPA retiree?

Even if you’re not an occupationally disabled FPPA retiree, your voice still matters. Family members, active-duty firefighters and law enforcement officers, and concerned community members can all play a vital role in advocating for fair cost-of-living adjustments. Here's how you can help:

  • Contact legislators and express your support for equitable, inflation-adjusted retirement benefits for occupationally disabled public safety retirees.

  • Share the campaign on social media to raise awareness and increase visibility.

  • Encourage others—especially those with personal connections to first responders—to learn more and get involved.

  • Write a letter of support as a family member or community ally, highlighting the impact these policy gaps have on people you care about.

Public pressure and broad community support can make a real difference in helping restore justice to those who gave their service and continue to live with its consequences.

What is the campaign asking for specifically?

We are calling on the Colorado General Assembly and the FPPA Board of Directors to work collaboratively to restore fair and consistent cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for occupationally disabled retirees. Achieving this will likely require both legislative action to update existing statutes and internal policy changes within FPPA to ensure these retirees are no longer excluded from inflation protection.

This initiative is intended to be a collaborative effort—driven by the voices, experiences, and concerns of FPPA retirees across Colorado. We are committed to providing accurate and up-to-date information to the best of our ability. However, if you find any information on this website that is incorrect, outdated, or missing, we welcome your input.

Please send an email to cola4retirees@gmail.com to share corrections, suggestions, or resources you’d like to see included. Together, we can strengthen this platform and make it a more informative and impactful tool for all occupationally disabled retirees advocating for fair treatment and cost-of-living equity.

Disclaimer

This website is an independent, volunteer-led advocacy project created retired FPPA members. All content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the views of individual contributors. It is not affiliated with the Fire & Police Pension Association of Colorado (FPPA), the State of Colorado, or any governmental agency. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, users are encouraged to verify key facts through official sources.

This site does not provide legal, financial, or retirement planning advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals for guidance related to individual circumstances.

Use of this site is for informational purposes only. The initiative and its contributors are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided.