(1) A private employee who is a duly qualified member of the Colorado National Guard who leaves or who is absent from his or her employment, regardless of the length of such absence, in order to engage in active service for state purposes pursuant to section 28-3-104:
(a) Is entitled to the reemployment rights for members described in section 28-3-609, so long as such member otherwise meets the requirements of section 28-3-609; and
(b) Retains his or her right to the employee benefits described in section 28-3-610.