Employee Benefits & Perks

Being a Golden employee is more than just a job…it’s a lifestyle.

Our wide array of benefits enhances the work and wellness experience that our employees enjoy now and helps as they plan for the future.

City employees visit and mingle during the annual employee picnic.
Explore the Golden Employee Benefits Guide

Full Time Employee Benefits

Regular full-time (RFT) employees receive the benefits listed below as part of their total compensation package. These benefits are in addition to mandated benefits such as workers’ compensation, unemployment insurance, and social security. Some benefits are provided at no cost to the employee while others require employee cost sharing or contributions. Employees are eligible to enroll in most benefits upon hire. Read or download the full Employee Benefits Brochure.

Medical Coverage

The employees and the City of Golden are “owners” of their medical plan. As a self-funded program, we can continue to offer quality care and options to our employees. The City offers three options through CIGNA: Open Access Plus PPO, LocalPlus and High Deductible Health Plan with Health Savings Account. The majority of premium costs are covered by the City.

*CIGNA Machine Readable Files:  This link leads to the machine-readable files that are made available in response to the federal Transparency in Coverage Rule and includes negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and healthcare providers. The machine readable files are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data.

Dental Coverage

The City offers two options through Delta Dental: Delta Exclusive Panel Option (EPO) or the Delta Dental PPO.

Vision Coverage

EyeMed vision provides in-network coverage. Participants receive an annual exam for a minimal co-pay along with coverage for frames, lenses and other discounts.

Term Life Insurance

Employees are automatically enrolled for two times their annual base salary.

Supplemental Life Insurance

Additional term life insurance may be purchased in $10,000 increments up to 5 times annual earnings to $300,000 maximum where eligible. Dependent coverage can also be purchased upon eligibility.

Short Term Disability

Provides up to 60% of weekly salary to a maximum of $2,500 per week for a period of up to 26 weeks.

Long Term Disability

The plan provides up to 60% of monthly salary to a maximum limit of $10,000 per month upon eligibility.

Pre-Tax – Health/Dependent Care Spending Accounts

Eligible employees can have payroll dollars withheld on a pre-tax basis to pay for certain out-of-pocket medical expenses and dependent care expenses. This results in a tax savings that can save hundreds of tax dollars each year.

  • Medical Flexible Spending Account

Employees may choose to set aside pre-tax, up to $3,200 per year to pay for expected out-of-pocket medical, dental, vision and prescription drug expenses.

  • Dependent Care Account

Employees may set aside up to $5,000 of pre-tax income for eligible dependent care expenses each year depending on requirements.

Paid Time Off

  • 128 hours of Annual Leave– accrues the first two pay periods of each month
  • 96 Sick Leave hours annually- accrues the first two pay periods of each month
  • 12 paid holidays

401(a) Defined Contribution Plan

General employees are enrolled upon hire in the City’s 401(a) defined contribution plan. The plan requires employees to contribute 2% of gross salary to the plan on a pre-tax basis. The City will contribute 5% of gross salary into the employee’s account. Sworn Police and Fire personnel contribute 10% and the City contributes 13%. Sworn Police and Fire do not contribute to Social Security.

457 Deferred Compensation Plan

Employees are eligible to participate in the City’s 457 deferred compensation plan and may enroll at anytime. Employees who participate in the 457 plan may be eligible for a City match of up to 3% to their 401(a).

Academic Tuition Assistance Program

Ongoing education is important to everyone. To assist our employees in their efforts toward continuing education, the City offers reimbursement up to $5,250 per year per eligible employee.

Employee Assistance Fund (EAF)

The EAF is a self-supported account funded solely by employee’s contributions. The fund is designated to help full-time employees during times of emergency that cause financial stress or crisis to the employee or his or her immediate family.

Wellness Program

Employees who participate in the wellness program receive a cash award. There is also the opportunity to receive a membership to the Golden Community Center.

Additional benefits listed below.

Part-Time Level 2 Employee Benefits

Level 2 employees are defined as: part-time employees working 20 or more hours per week in a single position.

Annual Leave

96 hours of annual leave accrued annually on a prorated basis.

Wellness Program

Level 2 part-time employees, volunteer firefighters and reserve police officers are eligible to participate in the City’s Wellness Program. Participants receive membership to the Golden Community Center at no cost.

Mission Square 457 Retirement Plan

Employees are eligible to deposit pre-tax funds with tax-deferred growth into a mutual fund.  Funds are voluntary and portable and changes or transfers can be made with no penalties/fees.

Perks Available to All Employees

Employee Recognition Program

Employees are recognized year-round through quarterly employee lunches, City picnic, Holiday Party, employee recognition week, years of service awards, and monthly events!

Employee Assistance Program

Golden’s EAP program offers confidential short-term counseling for employees and their dependents for a wide variety of issues. Individual counseling for your family is available for three sessions per incident per year at no cost.

Golden Community Center Memberships

Annual GCC memberships and punch passes are available to employees at a reduced rate.

Fossil Trace Golf Club

Enjoy discounts on greens and cart fees, merchandise at the Pro Shop and at Schnepf’s restaurant.

Credit Union Memberships/Banking Institutions

City of Golden employees are eligible for memberships at a variety of credit union and Wells Fargo locations.

Group Cell Phone Rates

City employees and volunteers may receive discounted cellular service through Verizon Wireless and AT&T. Those eligible include active full-time, retired, volunteer firefighters, and police reserves.

COG Mesa

 Golden has 402 acres of open space
and maintains 253 acres of parks right within the city itself.

Additional Resources

City of Golden, Colorado
COG Mesa
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