Our union is a member-led organization with over 39,000 members across Colorado. We are organized into 200 CEA and NEA-affiliated locals, governed by elected officers and Association Representatives elected by membership.

Locals are grouped into 18 geographic areas called UniServ Units. Funding for UniServ Units to employ staff, maintain an office and conduct programs is provided by members’ dues, with CEA and NEA returning a portion of state and national dues to each UniServ Unit. These units are governed by UniServ Councils. CEA employs staff who work in the headquarters office in Denver and in regional field offices across the state.

Strategic Plan

Over the next two years, educators will come together to build a union-led movement to design and drive the future of public education, including advancing campaigns to increase racial and social justice in our schools. We will build the capacity of local affiliates with a focus on leadership development of educators to ensure that educators are at the table for education-related decisions and leading in public spaces. This strategy will increase educator voice and influence in policy decisions that impact students, educators and public schools, ultimately positioning CEA to achieve its strategic imperatives.

Our union’s 2023-2026 Strategic Plan focuses on four main areas:

• School Funding. We will develop a long term strategy to increase and stabilize school funding.
• Testing and Accountability. We will advance policies that reduce the influence of high stakes testing in defining educator and student success.
• Collective Bargaining. We will expand access to collective bargaining for educators.
• Organizational Excellence. We will develop and invest in continuous improvement strategies and best organizational practices.

Delegate Assembly, Representative Assembly, and Elections

Delegate Assembly is the top policy-making body of the Colorado Education Association, composed of several hundred members across the state elected by their fellow members.

CEA is a state affiliate of the National Education Association. NEA’s top policy-making body is the Representative Assembly, composed of several thousand delegates elected by fellow state members across the nation. These delegates also use a democratic process to set policy and provide direction to leadership at NEA’s largest meeting every July.

The NEA Board of Directors sets policy between Representative Assemblies. CEA elects two members at Delegate Assembly to serve as NEA Directors on the NEA Board for three-year terms.

The CEA Governance Handbook is the central resource for understanding how our union functions throughout the year. It includes key timelines, rules, and procedures related to the Delegate Assembly, elections, bylaw amendments, resolutions, New Business Items, and compliance requirements.

This document outlines the process, requirements, and deadlines for submitting proposed amendments to the CEA Bylaws for consideration by the Delegate Assembly. It includes eligibility guidelines and instructions for completing the official submission forms.

This guide explains the difference between resolutions and New Business Items and details how members may propose each for Delegate Assembly consideration. It includes submission procedures, timelines, committee processes, and sample forms.

This document provides information for members interested in running for CEA or NEA leadership positions. It includes election timelines, filing requirements, campaign rules, and details for officer, board, and delegate races.

The CEA 3-1(g) Plan outlines our association’s commitment to equitable representation in governance and at the NEA Representative Assembly. It includes guidance for local affiliates on recruitment, compliance, and reporting requirements under NEA Bylaw 3-1(g).