In this April 27, 2018, photograph, a teacher carries a placard in support of funding the teacher and other public sector workers' pension fund during a rally in Denver. Rising pension costs are eating away at teacher pay in Colorado and other states. The pension issue has played a role in a teacher uprising sweeping the U.S. Thousands of Colorado teachers walked off the job and closed down schools last week. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

DENVER  |  The Colorado House of Representatives has passed a bill that makes deep cuts to retiree benefits in order to shore up the public pension.

Unlike a version that passed the Republican-led state Senate, the Democratic measure spares employees from higher contributions.

Senate Bill 200 now heads to conference committee where the chambers will hash out significant differences.

The House version requires the state to chip in $225 million annually to the pension. The Senate version shifts those costs to public sector workers.

Republicans also want to allow all public workers to join a 401(k)-like defined contribution plan.

The pension faces a $32 billion to $50 billion funding gap. A credit rating agency has threatened the state with a downgrade if the debt to retirees isn’t paid off in 30 years.

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