[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6337231,"mediaKeyId","2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e","parentId",2273783,"title","Legislative Audit Committee approves 40‑hour research request on contracting goals for service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses","audioSeconds",305,"startMs",4184000,"endMs",4489000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e&start=4184&end=4489","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e/thumbnail_4184000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6337231/Colorado/Legislative-Audit-Committee-approves-40hour-research-request-on-contracting-goals-for-servicedisabled-veteranowned-businesses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337231-3c12185044d9d42ae1a4082bc0a4cde3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978112&Signature=Pt5BkRkC3ZOF6iX6FfrOBwoLr1E0m76ZfGdHayo0Ef2Q34CqqgsdPnXMmWx~ks8odSbuLS8w4Z8PzeZJiLOAxJ5Ub0IHePhM86DzIF120X4eN792avNdJ0~8sFlB9~lOvGs9DVqfZ~-FjSnvqLhyfS6Z5ztlwliyod1TKd9bbbplP5qV6JfLK3l28ykGNWwgi-GQ361oGdSeq1EAMNuzgWKFF93tIQrPL8XfQhCGGt~3FBtb8KXI4pIQwoBAZGOaLzoFX88zGscXhhZSnI-8UpQpgtgoiB3CjhZE~JcCqdJgw142czOdD7q6Sp~o46Q5iDCCRMdQBFv03bsCzpiFiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado State Legislature","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Legislative Audit Committee approved a scoping request for the Office of the State Auditor to research the state's performance in awarding contracts to service‑disabled veteran‑owned small businesses.

Auditor Hunter presented Attachment D, a request from Representative Marshall asking the Office of the State Auditor to research whether the Department of Personnel and Administration met statutorily established goals for awarding contracts to service‑disabled veteran‑owned small businesses. Hunter told the committee the scoping request would use up to 40 hours to determine potential audit scope and that the office would return to the committee with a memo describing proposed coverage for a full audit.

Representative and committee members discussed timing and next steps. Senator Weisman asked for clarification that the initial scoping would be limited to 40 hours; Auditor Hunter confirmed. Senator Weisman and others indicated support for taking the first step to scope the issue.

Vice Chair Frizzell moved to approve the research request and Senator Weisman seconded the motion. The committee approved the 40‑hour research authorization by voice; the auditor will return with a scoping memo and recommendation on whether to proceed to a full audit.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Legislative Audit Committee Hearing [Feb 12, 2025]","oneSentenceSummary","The Legislative Audit Committee approved a 40‑hour scoping request for the Office of the State Auditor to research whether the state met contracting goals for service‑disabled veteran‑owned small businesses.","taxTitle","Legislative Audit Committee, YEAR-ROUND COMMITTEES, Committees, Legislative, Colorado","taxId",25598,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6337235,"Health care agency reports progress on Medicaid correspondence; central team, monitoring tools planned",695,3242000,3937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e&start=3242&end=3937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e/thumbnail_3242000.jpg","/articles/6337235/Colorado/Health-care-agency-reports-progress-on-Medicaid-correspondence-central-team-monitoring-tools-planned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337235-d5405ff4b0664219000a1175455326a7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978112&Signature=BYULIELRdrYvxZPwZOOpl0CoTIgL2i7g~hWqEjS8Vk97uoaudZvFfAwhPO7-SrSJOC6hp8CSKAUaDmJGYox55otnD5VermBSFSzrLDtJSmMBxgjrKtbBi3RorRdgJL4NbmwBuk8ogySGZN8kX6scBmWa~ivIQrHGZmockifAs17v33X~6~CKTXC-LYtc69GrmxqOuiynpyhz8y-na0sSidBfu1F~8CYDw68GiQrQERCot~CU3tAaWh9n0f1auveMeb8FUjauW5Mb9geeeBjOk~QLCfU37ZgkOxBdGlF1ze5TA4qrhQlnto12rMc7QgwDpPFpkAdfJvSdXJ5nE5Sqkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Department of Health Care Policy and Financing officials told the Legislative Audit Committee they have made measurable progress addressing an Office of the State Auditor performance audit that found problems with the clarity, accuracy and completeness of Medicaid correspondence.

Rachel Bridal, who oversees policy, communications and administration at the department, and Natalie Coulter, who leads a new member correspondence team, described work to centralize review, reduce duplicate notices and establish a formal auditing process. Coulter said the department has reviewed 55 Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS) letters, removed 11, and updated 44 to meet audit recommendations; the office also reports a 95% reduction in duplicate notices.

The department said it has created a dashboard with Deloitte (which administers CBMS) to monitor CBMS‑generated member correspondence and is reviewing 100 live letters each week to find defects. The department has hired new staff including a correspondence quality improvement supervisor and a partner communications and compliance specialist to work with vendors and county partners.

Officials described timelines for completing remaining work: internal auditing tools are expected by summer and an ongoing auditing process by fall; full implementation of some training and vendor contract amendments is expected by November of the year cited by presenters; centralization of correspondence staff funded by recent appropriations began in July 2024 and additional hires are underway.

Committee members asked how the public health emergency (PHE) unwind affected the work. Deputy director Rachel Bridal said the PHE unwind and related backlogs delayed some improvements because the department lacked dedicated correspondence resources until July 2024; department officials said county caseworkers are caught up and additional training materials and a fact sheet for staff are planned.

Department officials said they implemented a department‑wide standard operating procedure in October 2023 that applies to staff and vendors creating or updating member correspondence and are piloting a document management system with the Office of Community Living that the department plans to expand across other divisions.","Department of Health Care Policy and Financing told the Legislative Audit Committee it has taken steps to reduce duplicate and unclear Medicaid correspondence, created a central member‑correspondence team, and set target dates for implementing monitoring tools and vendor contract changes.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6337240,"OEDIT reports $68 million in enterprise zone credits certified in FY24; officials highlight semiconductor and contribution projects",1063,2337000,3400000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e&start=2337&end=3400","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e/thumbnail_2337000.jpg","/articles/6337240/Colorado/OEDIT-reports-68-million-in-enterprise-zone-credits-certified-in-FY24-officials-highlight-semiconductor-and-contribution-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337240-fc4524e9d366a33b6ab2069e6a48329b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978112&Signature=HgpTgMPVA0c~0JDkzTXroQQIrSvGRdfQbP00xPcwb9BNaul6Ob6-IQWRVVYyxicmn-nMZvXq5yxFgJZvcga23GIQMWxSSvzNq8LErH4yd7WQCqu0lMPd1j4lN5u7mpMyIUPEs6tzHBmgY4c7TnIkXP5aHuY0VxaR1Nyy7Qfnms-M5Ylw50sA4gZbBGm8EbmZSJQvR-Wj9rcdH6n6cV731IWfSTTlkbRg~SFs5NuhRr~q0wb8cW3j8eCl6sGFOJVEiYn4r4-UrqavLRK1S~Ro~tLAQd1~A~EuRCKqf5v9A4-wSviOH4-eQECn4r36dWyjZ79b59QBrbfOV0xLTrt00Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Jeff Craft and Chase Sheehan of the Office of Economic Development and International Trade presented the fiscal year 2024 Enterprise Zone annual report and explained program mechanics, usage and recent highlights.

Chase Sheehan, the statewide enterprise zone program manager, told the committee that businesses certified nearly $68 million in enterprise zone business tax credits in fiscal year 2024. Sheehan said firms reported $1.52 billion invested in qualified business personal property eligible for a 3% investment tax credit and detailed other program activity, including job‑training credits, research and development credits and contribution projects for public‑private capital campaigns.

Officials told the committee that the program remains heavily administrator‑driven at the local level: 19 local or regional zone administrators propose zone boundaries, market the program and support implementation. Craft and Sheehan said enterprise zone tax credits are performance‑based and require pre‑certification to show the credits factored into a business’s decision to expand or locate in a zone.

Examples highlighted to the committee included contributions to a Children’s Hospital capital campaign in Adams County that drew multiple donors and earned state credits, and Mesa County Habitat for Humanity’s planned use of credits to help construct homes. Sheehan said businesses certified 6,659 net new jobs in fiscal year 2024 and that the program documents an ongoing “breakage” — a difference between certified credits and those actually claimed on tax returns — that tends to reduce final fiscal cost to the general fund.

Committee members had no substantive objections; the presenters continued with a summary of zone administrator annual reports, including activity in Adams County and Weld County. Sheehan closed by saying the office is in the second year of a decennial enterprise‑zone redesignation process required by statute and highlighted an online mapping tool to support local stakeholders.","The Office of Economic Development and International Trade told the Legislative Audit Committee that businesses certified nearly $68 million in enterprise zone tax credits in fiscal year 2024 and described program uses including semiconductor supply‑chain projects and large contribution projects such as a hospital capital campaign.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6337245,"Audit: Colorado Veterans Community Living Centers not fiscally sustainable, auditors tell Legislative Audit Committee",2231,49000,2280000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e&start=49&end=2280","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e/thumbnail_49000.jpg","/articles/6337245/Colorado/Audit-Colorado-Veterans-Community-Living-Centers-not-fiscally-sustainable-auditors-tell-Legislative-Audit-Committee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337245-24b1f83e47e0d8219f97f0b70f93c7fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978112&Signature=HAc-2gaBnPW09Gayb9J1Cmain2CZPOcI~YK5obmF5j~gHIWzPNj~gd~cHVEOjQET6kccPtSoX7RtkfvAy~~gnni-hEPTZfB1or~SszIy1SXCakJZeue6kE9J6Uet0XV3yYA5w5dhw7h9vlYfCAOgL6CoOom8RtfuGnrQV00u3oErG3qRu7iJxVdCgsfpw8zycXY4UEg4QX2lhk-0Q-A3V8edFrVpMG4Hz1p-B2hiQYgCVci7RiuXYiSBDAS2qb3oxPL0D4vYH8QIUD1dt5E~4FUggyb1x9pyvI7vthUJoBQOm19NH18b8qEgj5ZOVqwH998mrPVB4c7lL~NDAOFRPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Legislative Audit Committee voted to release a performance audit finding that four state-run Veterans Community Living Centers are not fiscally sustainable under current operating revenues, expenditures and resident census.

The audit, prepared by the Office of the State Auditor with contracted work by MGT Impact Solutions LLC, concluded “the living centers are not fiscally sustainable based on the existing operating revenues, expenditures, and patient census,” Marissa Edwards, deputy state auditor, told the committee. The committee moved and seconded a motion to release the audit and proceeded to hear the report and responses from the Department of Human Services.

The audit covered the four VCLCs operated by the Department of Human Services. Ricardo Seapin, a director with MGT, summarized the report’s structure and findings, saying the audit included an overview of the centers and a second chapter with findings and recommendations. The report identified four findings and corresponding recommendations aimed at improving financial operations.

The auditors told the committee the centers’ combined operating revenues dropped substantially: operating revenue fell about 18% between fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2023, the centers recorded a combined operating loss of more than $10.3 million in fiscal 2023, and a net loss of $388,000 in fiscal 2024. The audit said the primary driver of revenue is resident census and that census declined significantly beginning in fiscal 2020 during the COVID‑19 pandemic.

Auditors also flagged staffing and rate‑setting issues. The report noted personnel costs were about 77% of total operating expenses in fiscal year 2024 and personnel costs increased roughly 26% between fiscal years 2019 and 2024 while resident census fell by about 21% over the same period. The auditors found errors and omissions in the budgeting process, including use of incorrect or outdated reimbursement rates in the fiscal 2024 budget.

Department leaders at the table agreed with most findings and described steps underway. Executive Director Barnes of the Department of Human Services told the committee the department “fully agree[s] with 3 of the 4 audit findings and are partially agree[able] with the fourth,” and described work already under way on fiscal management and oversight. Erin Wester, office director for adult aging and disability services, said the division was improving marketing, outreach and community engagement and planned implementation of parts of its marketing and outreach plan by March 2026; she said an analysis of the feasibility of offering adult day health care as an additional revenue stream was scheduled for completion by January 2026.

On staffing, Ryan Bermude, director of the division that oversees the VCLCs, told the committee the centers rely on a mix of permanent state employees, temporary employees and agency staff to meet federal and state staffing requirements; he said agency staff are two to three times more expensive than state employees. Bermude and Wester said the division is developing written processes to forecast staffing needs and account for resident acuity; Wester said that work would be completed by April of the year specified in the presentation.

Committee members questioned timeframes and thresholds. Representative Brooks asked when the centers must demonstrate financial viability to retain enterprise status under the Taxpayer Bill of Rights; deputy state auditor Edwards replied that enterprise status is determined annually and that the centers must meet the TABOR enterprise test each fiscal year by June 30 as part of the financial audit. Senators and representatives on the committee also asked about occupancy comparisons with other long‑term care facilities and about the impact of union requirements on minimum staffing (PPD) that began in January 2023.

The audit recommended: develop and implement comprehensive marketing plans and partnerships to increase census; incorporate accurate payer rates into budgeting and document the review process; develop forecasting processes for staffing that reflect resident acuity and census; and evaluate the veteran population near centers when setting census goals and pursue partnerships to increase referrals. Department officials agreed with most recommendations and gave target dates for implementing specific items.

The committee released the audit for public distribution after the motion to release was moved by Senator Michaelson Janae and seconded by Senator Belton; the committee proceeded with the presentation and discussion following that vote.

The audit noted potential consequences if centers cannot regain financial sustainability, including potential loss of TABOR enterprise status and the possibility of center closures that would require residents to find other accommodations. Department officials said they are pursuing marketing, partnership and staffing changes intended to improve census and financial performance.

The committee asked auditors and department staff for follow‑up on implementation progress and timelines; department leaders cited several milestones (January 2026 and March/April target dates for specific actions) and said they have already rebranded marketing materials, increased outreach at veteran organizations and were developing standardized financial reporting tools for budgets.","State auditors found four state-run Veterans Community Living Centers (VCLCs) ran operating losses and are not fiscally sustainable under current revenues, expenditures and resident census; the Legislative Audit Committee voted to release the performance audit and asked department officials about implementation timelines for recommendations.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6337226,"Legislative Audit Committee approves OSA proposed FY2026 budget with authority to make executive adjustments",0,4551000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e&start=4551&end=4551","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2273783-56db4a8734ffa0aeeece6b3cfdde2f4e/thumbnail_4551000.jpg","/articles/6337226/Colorado/Legislative-Audit-Committee-approves-OSA-proposed-FY2026-budget-with-authority-to-make-executive-adjustments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6337226-1058cfa839e09c3730de678344e570d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770978112&Signature=G4y47WJbCaq-RCoofyM9I5~Ki6pWoQuoIqChtTl5cNqgKfGa481tlvVzbvEwQIEZLiwXVwS~nrkLLqOZ2X85MTpAyrh0ruMsXlLmtmGMFDydfH1bXeyTp7Kh~f-mxqckjDtDXa~TVpE26LOMHS1PMlIGs2ncaZCIPjzc5BLtWQaFYgRe4kzlu3F--5W48Iqa2rAnZ9VXb9ylqaO8GZI9h9GqM77tFwe1muDeM6YwliW8fKMZ36pEYJQAazj9HHn6qPISu3XJvHDkrFTg6sxXNosS3jrWR9TSH5-HFQdhSfsHoTYLDsOSKWYZqIF2wLmBLLO6oC4tRne~xXIPCydg4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Office of the State Auditor presented its proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and the Legislative Audit Committee approved the request with authorization to make any changes directed by the Executive Committee or the Joint Budget Committee.

Auditor Hunter summarized the budget request: a proposed total appropriation of $14,947,173 representing a 2.1% decrease from fiscal year 2025, with general fund held flat and adjustments for salaries and benefits aligned to common policy guidance (a placeholder 2.5% across‑the‑board increase plus a 0.6% step increase as recommended by JBC staff). The office said salary and benefits account for about 86% of its budget. It also noted reductions tied to two audits being completed in FY2025 and a modest inflationary increase in reappropriated audit contract payments.

Committee members discussed the context of statewide budget constraints. Senator Weissman noted the broader legislative branch direction to hold funding steady in a tight budget year. Auditor Hunter asked the committee to approve the proposed budget and to authorize any adjustments required by the Executive Committee or Joint Budget Committee; the committee approved the request by voice and recorded no opposition.

Auditor Hunter said the office would continue to coordinate with the Executive Committee and incorporate any common‑policy changes once JBC directions are final.","The Office of the State Auditor presented a FY2026 budget request with flat general fund, planned salary/benefit adjustments aligned to common policies, and a small net decrease overall; the Legislative Audit Committee approved the proposed budget and authorized minor changes directed by the Executive or Joint Budget Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislative Audit Committee approves 40‑hour research request on contracting goals for service‑disabled veteran‑owned businesses

Health care agency reports progress on Medicaid correspondence; central team, monitoring tools planned

OEDIT reports $68 million in enterprise zone credits certified in FY24; officials highlight semiconductor and contribution projects

Audit: Colorado Veterans Community Living Centers not fiscally sustainable, auditors tell Legislative Audit Committee

Legislative Audit Committee approves OSA proposed FY2026 budget with authority to make executive adjustments