Full Time Benefit Summary
Updated December 2025
Gilpin County is proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees. The County covers 92.5% of the cost of medical benefit plans, with employees responsible for only 7.5%.
All full time employees working 30 or more hours per week are offered medical, vision, dental, life, and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, along with employer paid short term and long term disability coverage. Benefits begin on the first of the month following 30 days of employment. Employees who regularly work above 30 hours but below 40 hours per week on a regular basis pay a higher prorated portion toward their benefits.
Coverage is available to employees, their spouses, civil union partners, and dependent children of either member of such unions. Children remain eligible through the end of the month in which they turn 26. Employees working fewer than 30 hours per week are considered part time and are not eligible for benefits.
We value our employees and are committed to supporting their health, security, and well being.
Health Benefits
Employees may select one of two health care plans: Kaiser Permanente or United Healthcare. Gilpin County pays 92.5% of the premium costs. In addition, the County provides a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with $3,000 available per individual or $6,000 per family to offset out of pocket medical expenses. This means that most co pays, lab work, or similar medical costs typically paid by employees may be covered by the County.
| United Healthcare | Full Cost | Monthly Employer Contribution | Employee Pays (monthly) | Percent of Medical Plan Cost Employee Pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $1,078 | $997.15 | $80.85 | 7.5% |
| Employee + Spouse | $2,263 | $2,093.28 | $169.72 | 7.5% |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $1,992 | $1,842.60 | $149.40 | 7.5% |
| Family | $3,124 | $2,889.70 | $234.30 | 7.5% |
| Kaiser Permanente | Full Cost | Monthly Employer Contribution | Employee Pays (monthly) | Percent of Medical Plan Cost Employee Pays |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $968 | $895.40 | $72.60 | 7.5% |
| Employee + Spouse | $2,035 | $1,882.38 | $152.62 | 7.5% |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $1,793 | $1,658.53 | $134.47 | 7.5% |
| Family | $2,812 | $2,601.10 | $210.90 | 7.5% |
Dental Benefits
| Delta Dental | Full Cost | Monthly Employer Contribution | Employee Pays (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $43 | $43.00 | $0 |
| Employee + Spouse | $87 | $58.29 | $28.71 |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $108 | $54.00 | $54.00 |
| Family | $145 | $72.50 | $72.50 |
$2000 annual max. Preventative services covered at 100%. Basic services at 80%. Major services at 50%.
Vision Benefits
| VSP | Full Cost | Monthly Employer Contribution | Employee Pays (monthly) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Employee Only | $8 | $8.00 | $0 |
| Employee + Spouse | $16 | $12.80 | $3.20 |
| Employee + Child(ren) | $17 | $13.60 | $3.40 |
| Family | $28 | $22.40 | $5.60 |
Routine exam $10 copay. Lenses, per pair $10 copay. Frames $175 allowance. Contacts $175 allowance.
Time Off Benefits
Gilpin County provides generous time off benefits to support employee wellness, balance, and long term service recognition.
Vacation Leave
Full time employees receive a lump sum of 40 hours of vacation at the time of hire, with additional accrual beginning immediately.
- 0–12 months of service: 40 hours on hire; accrues at 3 hours per bi-weekly pay period (up to 118 hours annually)
- 13–60 months of service: accrues at 5 hours per pay period (130 hours annually)
- 61–120 months of service: accrues at 7 hours per pay period (182 hours annually)
- 121+ months of service: accrues at 8 hours per pay period (208 hours annually)
Employees are expected to use their earned vacation leave each year to promote wellness and prevent burnout. Vacation accrual is capped at the following maximums based on total months of service:
- 0–60 months: 248 hours
- 61–131 months: 268 hours
- 132–192 months: 288 hours
- 193–239 months: 308 hours
- 240+ months: 328 hours
Holidays
Employees receive 130 hours of holiday time annually (equivalent to 13 paid holidays, calculated as 10 hour days). Employees have flexibility in how holiday hours are used: they may work on a designated holiday within the same pay period, use designated holidays as floating holidays, or divide holiday hours among different days, with supervisor approval.
Sick Leave
Employees accrue 104 hours of sick leave annually, at a rate of 4 hours per bi-weekly pay period.
(Note: Sick leave is not included in the total annual time off calculation below.)
Total Annual Time Off (First Year Employees)
- Vacation: 118 hours
- Holidays: 130 hours
Total: 248 hours
Equivalent Days:
- Based on 8 hour days: 31 days
- Based on 10 hour days: 24.8 days
Note: Vacation accrual increases after the first year, and total time off grows with years of service.
Gilpin County Community Center
As part of our commitment to employee wellness, Gilpin County provides free membership to the Gilpin County Community Center for all employees. Contract classes are excluded.
Employee Assistance Plan - Allone Health
Gilpin County provides employees and their household members with free, confidential assistance for a variety of needs, including personal and family concerns. Services are available around the clock, 24/7.
Financial Security
Retirement Plans
Gilpin County offers two retirement savings plans through the Colorado Retirement Association:
- 401(a) Plan – Includes a 5% mandatory contribution with 5% County match with a 4-year vesting schedule. After four years of service, this plan may also include an increased county match (details below).
- 457 Deferred Compensation Plan – Optional, with both Pre tax and Roth options.
Social Security – As required by law, the County provides a 6.2% full match.
401(a) Vesting Schedule (Effective July 8, 2025 for new hires):
| Years of Service | Vesting Amount |
|---|---|
| 0 to less than 1 year | 0% |
| 1 year to less than 2 years | 25% |
| 2 years to less than 3 years | 50% |
| 3 years to less than 4 years | 75% |
| 4 years or more | 100% |
Voluntary Retirement Plan Matches (Effective January 1, 2026)
Employees who make voluntary contributions into a 457 account at the minimum years of service are eligible for additional County matches into their 401(a).
POST (Law Enforcement Officers) - 1:1 match
| Years of Service | POST Employee Contribution to 457 | County Match to 401(a) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 years | 1% | 1% |
| 9 to 12 years | 2% | 2% |
| 13 or more years | 3% | 3% |
All other 401(a) eligible positions - 1:2 match
| Years of Service | Employee Contribution to 457 | County Match to 401(a) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 to 8 years | 1% | 0.5% |
| 9 to 12 years | 2% | 1% |
| 13 or more years | 4% | 2% |
Life and AD&D Insurance
Provided by The Standard at no cost to employees:
- $50,000 in Basic Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) coverage
Voluntary Life Insurance
Employees may purchase additional voluntary life insurance coverage:
- Employee Coverage: Available in $10,000 increments up to $500,000 (guaranteed issue amount: $150,000 for all new employees)
- Spouse Coverage: Available in $5,000 increments up to $250,000 (guaranteed issue amount: $30,000)
- Dependent Children Coverage: $20,000
Short and Long-Term Disability Coverage
Also provided by The Standard at no cost to employees:
- Benefit: 60% of pre disability earnings, up to $1,000 per week
- Waiting Periods:
- Short term disability: 14 days
- Long term disability: 90 days
Education
Member governments’ elected officials and staff are eligible for tuition discounts and other benefits at eight institutions of higher education. All DRCOG and member government employees are assigned a local university development counselor and a graduation team. To learn more, request a complimentary advising session, or learn about programs, contact local university development counselor Jean Manning-Clark at 602-247-4971 or 720-415-7087.
Learn more about higher education opportunities through DRCOG
Additional Life, AD&D, Short-term disability, and Long-Term Disability coverage available for purchase.
Contact Human Resources for details regarding anything covered in this summary, including terms, limits and conditions. Benefits are subject to change.