C.R.S. § 28-3-1204

The department may award a medal, designated as the “active service medal”, to any person who is not a member of the military and who has served in or with any division or office of the department, including in the Colorado National Guard in state or federal service, for a period of ten years. The ten years of service do not need to be consecutive. For each subsequent period of ten years of service, the department may award the individual a bronze knot to be worn on the ribbon of the medal.