Definitions.
Denver Revised Municipal Code § 18-171
in effectSec. 18-171. - Definitions.
The following words and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meaning given to them in this section and be observed in the interpretation of this article:
(1) "Child" shall mean a primary insured's natural child, adopted child, or the natural child or adopted child of either a primary insured's spouse, or primary insured's partner in a civil union.
(2) "Eligible dependent" shall mean the primary insured's child or spouse.
a. An eligible dependent may not also be a primary insured on the same insurance plan.
b. If spouses are each eligible employees, each may enroll in medical or dental coverage as either a primary insured or eligible dependent, but not both.
c. An eligible dependent shall not include any form of grandchild of a primary insured or spouse, unless the primary insured or spouse has a court order of adoption.
d. An eligible dependent may be covered by one (1) primary insured only for each insurance plan.
(3) "Eligible employee" shall mean both: officers (elected and appointed) and employees of the city. The definition of eligible employee shall not include:
a. Part-time employees who are regularly scheduled to work less than twenty (20) hours per week;
b. Members of the classified service of the police and fire departments; and,
c. Persons occupying or employed in on-call or contract positions, or positions in which the incumbent is paid according to the community rate schedule.
(4) "Employee only" coverage shall mean insurance coverage for an eligible employee only.
(5) "Employee plus children" coverage shall mean insurance coverage for an eligible employee and one (1) or more eligible dependents other than a spouse.
(6) "Employee plus spouse" coverage shall mean insurance coverage for an eligible employee and a spouse.
(7) "Employer contribution" shall mean funds paid by the city for insurance programs approved by the employee health insurance committee.
(8) "Family" coverage shall mean insurance coverage for an eligible employee and a spouse or spousal equivalent and one (1) or more other eligible dependent.
(9) "Primary insured" shall mean an eligible employee who enrolls for insurance coverage.
a. A primary insured may not also be an eligible dependent on the same insurance
(10) "Spouse" shall mean an eligible employee's lawful spouse, a lawful partner in a civil union in accordance with the Colorado Civil Union Act or spousal equivalent.
(11) "Spousal equivalent" shall mean an adult of the same gender with whom the employee is in an exclusive committed relationship, who is not related to the employee and who shares basic living expenses with the intent for the relationship to last indefinitely. A spousal equivalent cannot be related by blood to a degree which would prevent marriage in Colorado and cannot be married to another person. An employee claiming a spousal equivalent as an eligible dependent shall file with the Office of Human Resources employee benefits section, an affidavit of spousal equivalency or may register as a committed partnership with the clerk's office.
(Ord. No. 959-05, § 1, 12-19-05; Ord. No. 661-12, § 3, 12-26-12; Ord. No. 489-14, § 1, 9-8-14; Ord. No. 763-17, § 1, 8-7-17; Ord. No. 188-18, § 1, 3-12-18; Ord. No. 732-18, §§ 1, 2, 7-30-18)
Source: City and County of Denver, Revised Municipal Code and Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/co/denver/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TITIIREMUCO_CH18EMOFPABE_ARTVIINPR_DIV1GEPR_S18-171DEFetched: 10/27/2026