Colo. Rev. Stat. § 24-1-132
Effective July 1, 1968, such officers and employees who were engaged prior to said date in the performance of powers, duties, and functions of any department, institution, or other agency transferred to a principal department under the provisions of this article and who, in the opinion of the head of the principal department and the governor, are necessary to perform the powers, duties, and functions of the principal department or of any division, section, or unit thereof shall become officers and employees of such principal department and shall retain all rights to state personnel system and retirement benefits under the laws of the state, and their services shall be deemed to be continuous. All transfers and any abolishment of positions of personnel in the state personnel system shall be made and processed in accordance with state personnel system laws and rules and regulations.
C.R.S. § 24-1-132