The Colorado Education Association is a voluntary membership organization of 38,000 K-12 teachers and education support professionals; higher education faculty and support professionals; retired educators; and students preparing to become teachers.

CEA is a state affiliate of the National Education Association (NEA), America's oldest and largest organization dedicated to advancing the cause of public education. Founded in 1857, NEA proudly claims 3.2 million members who work at every level of education, from pre-schools to universities. NEA has affiliates in all states, as well as in 13,000 towns and cities across the U.S.

Our organization has three levels. Members in Colorado communities are organized as 190 local affiliates of CEA-NEA. Local affiliates are grouped into 17 regional areas called UniServ Units. Each UniServ unit has a professional staff member called a UniServ Director and an associate staff member who manages the UniServ office. Both staff members support the local affiliates by working directly with local leaders and members. Funding for UniServ units to employ staff, have an office, and conduct programs is provided by CEA and NEA and by members' dues. Your local is governed by people you elect: officers and Association Representatives.

CEA policy is determined democratically by the Delegate Assembly, CEA's top policy-making body. Delegate Assembly is composed of 650 members elected by members through their local associations and meets every April. The CEA Board of Directors also sets policy and provides direction for CEA.

NEA's top policy-making body is the Representative Assembly, nearly 10,000 delegates who meet every July, elected by members in their locals. The NEA Board of Directors also sets policy. Colorado has two members who serve as NEA Directors on the NEA Board.

CEA employs staff who work in the headquarters office in Denver and in UniServ units.

Only public education employees can be members, through these categories:

Active Members