[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-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",[32,75,86,98],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6525382,"mediaKeyId","3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720","parentId",3517521,"title","Pitkin County human services directors report first-quarter spending on track; commissioners approve Q1 expenditures and payrolls","audioSeconds",1017,"startMs",631000,"endMs",1648000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720&start=631&end=1648","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720/thumbnail_631000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6525382/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-human-services-directors-report-first-quarter-spending-on-track-commissioners-approve-Q1-expenditures-and-payrolls","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525382-1e3bb918af8d0fcf643b3aa64ab5dc31/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174817&Signature=ZRzdqPVgwToMrQzL7cZWXXY6RJJ3LJzjYqpfD7M7K8w-HjKtsSNv-4g2UxDH1j1IlWkZikDYkIvkyqxFNsLgXRUGddZUbCpovRguoBeJ1gj1WJm4LrWe~kVK3UzlHVTECJPFN2vBg1FiiW6EI-7vgGX5EsSGWhrGki4mxFO~kBmqIE5-NNpY8x6vgWWEcC2MsMZmdjtBlbca40tE6azR-eeG41E4cnDeLJDVHEMX1LcUHdEL17sBj5c7WqSylLgH9n6nAjGnALHeHHiOLtSMF~ybYuF2X2siKiq7lIbHxjbFcwQGL1DFRKUk3eLksAaG5BWLJ3~hMuj7aaj652xW1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pitkin County","date","2025-05-27T18:09:08Z","article","Pitkin County human services leaders told the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that first-quarter 2025 revenues and spending are tracking more closely to the calendar quarter than in prior years, and commissioners approved both the department's first-quarter expenditures and the payroll summary.

Human services Director Lindsay Maich briefed the board that, because Colorado is a state-supervised, county-administered human services system, county commissioners serve as the statutory board of social services and must review program allocations and spending. Maich said Pitkin County’s first-quarter (January–March) revenues for administrative and economic assistance programs were higher than the same period in 2024 while expenditures were lower; overall allocations for the county were drawn down more steadily this year, she said.

“First-quarter 2025 expenditures as a percentage of budget are closer to the 25% of the year that has passed,” Maich said. “We’re getting much closer in terms of how we’re drawing down dollars and matching those to the actual programs and services.”

Nut graf: The presentation covered fund-by-fund performance across Colorado Works (TANF/Colorado Works), the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), child welfare, adult protection, child support and SNAP benefits, and it included staffing and contract changes designed to maintain services if federal or state funding changes.

Key points and program updates

- Colorado Works (TANF): Maich said first-quarter revenue for TANF was close to last year’s, but expenditures were lower. She and staff expect a expenditures increase in Q2 tied to contracted summer programs, including the Aspen Youth Center and Cottage Daycare, and said some households no longer qualify as they become self-sufficient.

- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP revenue and expenditures improved compared with the same period last year. Maich and Norma Avila, manager of the economic assistance division, said payments to providers were increased and the eligible federal poverty level for CCAP was raised to 300% in November 2024, resulting in higher use of services.

- Child welfare: Child welfare revenues and expenditures were more in line with the portion of the year completed. Maich credited improved, timely billing from outside counsel for part of the improvement.

- Adult protection and senior services: The department noted a Q1 increase in adult protection revenue and that adult protection expenditures are budgeted at a higher level than revenues. Maich said adult protection is effectively an “unfunded mandate,” with limited state allocation that the county has historically backfilled.

- Contracts and intergovernmental support: Maich told the board Pitkin County contracts with Garfield County Human Services for child support services and has short-term agreements with Eagle County to administer CCAP eligibility after a staff resignation. She said Eagle County agreed to handle CCAP duties while Pitkin County hires and retrains staff.

Commission action

Commissioner Kerancy moved to approve the first-quarter expenditures; Commissioner Jeffrey seconded the motion. The board voted in favor. Later in the meeting the board approved the department’s first-quarter payroll report after a separate motion and second. (Audio record: motion made and second recorded; the board responded with the verbal “Aye.”)

Discussion, contingency planning and staffing

Maich and her team described contingency planning tied to federal and state budget proposals. She identified healthcare/Medicaid, adult and aging programs and nutrition, immigration-related services, and early childhood programs as the areas with the highest risk from proposed state or federal changes. Maich said potential policy changes such as more frequent eligibility redeterminations or the addition of work requirements would increase workload without accompanying funding.

To address staffing gaps and program continuity, Maich said the department is reorganizing some program responsibilities. For example, CCAP is being moved administratively to the child welfare/family services team to strengthen connections to early-childhood providers, and adult protection functions are being moved to the senior services program because of closer alignment with gerontology expertise and local funding stability.

Norma Avila presented payroll and caseload details for specific benefits programs, noting low participation in Aid to the Needy Disabled and higher CCAP caseloads since the November payment and eligibility changes. Avila also described LEAP outreach results and an outreach buy funded in part by a LEAP outreach grant.

What the votes mean and next steps

The board’s approvals allow the department to continue processing payments, contracts and payroll on the schedule reflected in the Q1 reports. Maich told commissioners the department will return with Q2 data showing the effects of summer program contracts on TANF/Colorado Works expenditures and will provide more detailed quarterly breakdowns if the board prefers, including a proposed quarterly breakout for senior services.

Several commissioners asked for senior services to be reported separately in future quarterlies so the board can track potential funding risks and mid-cycle requests. Maich said the department will provide that detail going forward.

Clarifying details

- CCAP eligibility broadened to 300% of the federal poverty level beginning November 2024, which staff said increased enrollment.
- Pitkin County contracts with Garfield County Human Services for child support services; Eagle County is providing CCAP eligibility support temporarily after a staff resignation.
- Board motions recorded on the audio record: motion to approve first-quarter expenditures (mover: Kerancy; second: Jeffrey; outcome: approved) and motion to approve first-quarter payrolls (mover: not specified on the record; second: Jeffrey; outcome: approved).

Ending: The department said it will return with Q2 reports showing contract-driven spending increases and will bring added senior-services detail per the board’s request.

Speakers:
Lindsay Maich — Human services director (government)
Norma Avila — Manager, economic assistance division (government)
Sam Lander Casper — Deputy director, human services (government)
Adam Lazarow — Veteran service officer (government) [limited reference during the social services portion]
Jeffrey — Commissioner (government)
Kerancy — Commissioner (government)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","BOCC Work Session (1st and 3rd Tuesdays) - 05/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Pitkin County human services leaders told the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that first-quarter 2025 revenues and spending are tracking more closely to the calendar quarter than in prior years, and commissioners approved both the department's first-quarter expenditures and the payroll summary.","taxTitle","Pitkin County, Colorado","taxId",27807,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525368,"County staff flag Medicaid, SNAP and other state/federal changes that could affect local services",0,8197000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720&start=8197&end=8197","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720/thumbnail_8197000.jpg","/articles/6525368/Pitkin-County/Colorado/County-staff-flag-Medicaid-SNAP-and-other-statefederal-changes-that-could-affect-local-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525368-dac06ffd5c72e776d49778026de4d0ec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174817&Signature=JUnWm5P0-U8f5CQZ3AVFMdH5-0zk0-DM1FJvEi-OSlMAy9zv2VRlAanuIuDyvgx-I89yq5a-QXUOTTbXwF52Pa3p9Pbzt5RTC1WokxtgPOslzxhLlLjHDMBL6cnxs4~moluWMORko1j93e6aZ1pARHAWt2SEfnGIq0P7zVIeKjdIzsZrIaPJe-YkpPBaLfvdgalk5q6FurpqcjSt7ptvRHzkPclr3ff66Be9ywbWTvxQhn-Po~qDI840rSPzbY08Phg1JrkjCX9wmYv28H~IUE9VdwtV7BJrT~k66GYzkaFaxIzm3yLnwkwp7jycRSP84gxtrncSQt4EYEkzte7mmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County management analyst Levi Borscht briefed the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 about the end of the 2025 Colorado legislative session and related federal proposals, highlighting several items that county staff said could affect human services operations and local budgets.

Borscht noted that the state budget package was signed by the governor and that several bills of interest to the county either passed or died in the session. He said some bills that had been sent to the governor had not yet been signed as of the briefing, including a measure about insurers’ use of risk models in property insurance and a regional transportation authority sales-and-use tax exemption that is awaiting gubernatorial action.

Nut graf: County staff focused on policy changes that could affect local human services operations: a recently signed child-welfare-related bill will change planning requirements for foster placements, and federal proposals involving Medicaid changes and other funding uncertainties could increase local workloads or reduce grant funding for programs such as SNAP outreach and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) awards.

Legislative and federal items staff called out

- Child welfare legislation: Staff described House Bill 25 10 97 (as cited in the briefing), which requires more detailed transition plans for non-emergency child placements. County child-welfare staff said the law included last-minute amendments that reduced some burdens but still adds administrative requirements that will increase workload in emergency-placement scenarios.

- Medicaid and SNAP risks at the federal level: Maich and Borscht warned the board about federal proposals discussed in Congress that could increase redeterminations, add work requirements, or otherwise reduce enrollment. Staff cited an estimate discussed in the briefing that as many as about 10.3 million people nationally could lose coverage under some proposed changes; local staff said more frequent redeterminations or work reporting would increase county administrative workload without additional funding.

- Grants and targeted programs: Staff identified the Community Services Block Grant (CSBG), certain SNAP outreach grants and early-childhood/early-intervention funds as at-risk items in federal budget proposals. Staff said loss of these grants would complicate staffing and program delivery, particularly in areas such as senior nutrition and adult-protection services.

- Other bills and topics: Borscht listed enacted measures, bills awaiting the governor’s signature and items that had died in session, and flagged continued debate about TABOR reform, data-center incentives, clean-technology permitting, and other items that could return in subsequent sessions.

What staff recommended

Borscht and Maich recommended monitoring federal and state actions, participating in member organizations’ advocacy (for example CCI, CC4CA and local associations), and returning to the board with targeted requests if state or federal actions necessitate local adjustments.

Ending: The county will continue advocacy through member organizations, monitor federal and state processes closely and brief the board if legislative or appropriations developments require county action.

Speakers:
Levi Borscht — Management analyst (government)
Lindsay Maich — Human Services Director (government)
Sam Lander Casper — Deputy Director, Human Services (government)","Pitkin County management analyst Levi Borscht and human services staff reviewed state legislative outcomes, pending items at the governor's desk and federal proposals that could reduce funding for Medicaid and other programs. Staff projected operational impacts and urged monitoring of bills and federal proposals.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525373,"Regional food-security coalition lays out strategy; Harvest for Hunger awarded HHS lease, strategic planning and Emma’s Store feasibility continue",846,5631000,6477000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720&start=5631&end=6477","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720/thumbnail_5631000.jpg","/articles/6525373/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Regional-food-security-coalition-lays-out-strategy-Harvest-for-Hunger-awarded-HHS-lease-strategic-planning-and-Emmas-Store-feasibility-continue","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525373-25e281bd3b602b21220e00f7e3cd7ae0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174818&Signature=i0wZXIapgs615IrwCnPYXrgRkwA5~Xnih0pEi~lL54C6t-HVBpuBV7gkYTuPusM9y2yuu9cKXPnSkJF1oVmp9TSnvccZEdXOoViFz75sQnuQ-p4hYk-L2vT9JmqhY2iAiSorvl7-zVaVqBj-Q4oPOE1kSpCf9jErd5WS2QnqkENyWVaD1cEI78kyRBtx~b7OrUjGl34XLnaJr5gt4IwGDL2rNkEZs-vRKlyUXxjjwt1n4A~CB7qrlo7XKSwBgzaOskTBstgmoHF6U2soxRUVa1ttVe6VxX9-mzL37jo~tTSykaNYnnvIZ1tpMsltkP7htxRTmkg~iG4dRWsqjlom0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pitkin County staff and regional partners briefed the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 about a multi-year effort to improve food security across the mountain region, including a feasibility study for a regional food hub, a community survey by Colorado State University and steps to scale distribution and local-food purchasing.

Sam Lander Casper, deputy director of Pitkin County Human Services, summarized the county’s and partners’ timeline: earlier food-security summits led to the Safe and Abundant Nutrition Alliance (SANA) and then to a more formal Mountain Coalition for Food Nutrition Security (McFINS). Over the past several years the coalition secured grants for outreach, local food purchases and distribution and worked with partners to map services and identify service gaps.

Nut graf: The coalition is moving from planning and data collection into tactical strategic planning: an online GIS map of food-service locations and service radiuses is in development; Harvest for Hunger will operate a stigma-free pantry out of an annual lease at the HHS building; and a traffic study for the potential reuse of the Emma’s Store site has been funded to inform next steps.

What partners and staff reported

- Feasibility and planning: Pitkin County and partners commissioned a food-hub feasibility study and, in 2021–23, secured Local Foods Purchasing Agreement (LFPA) funds to buy local food for distribution to older adults and WIC families; that work included a partnership with 2 Roots Farm to run an older-adult/WIC CSA.

- CSU research: Colorado State University conducted a statistically relevant household survey in the county area, interviewing 1,076 people to produce localized food-security data. CSU is continuing with a “photovoice” project and pursuing potential USDA funding to support local efforts.

- Distribution and facility updates: Lift Up purchased a permanent facility in Glenwood Springs that will function as a distribution hub for partners. Harvest for Hunger has been awarded an annual lease for space at the county HHS building to operate a stigma-free pantry open weekdays 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Staff told the board Harvest for Hunger will expand distribution hours.

- Mapping and gap analysis: The McFINS coalition has mapped existing services in GIS, plotting service zones and times to identify geographic and schedule gaps in access. Staff said the online map will be a public resource and will accompany strategic planning that includes budget estimates and funding strategies.

- Emma’s Store feasibility and traffic study: The county obtained Colorado Historical Society funding for a vehicle-traffic study at the Emma’s Store site to determine whether the site could support hub operations; the feasibility study done by new-venture advisors and local funders produced options that will guide next steps.

Next steps and funding

Staff said McFINS will continue tactical strategic planning to produce program-level budgets, funding plans and a prioritized action list. Staff also noted potential federal funding risks (SNAP program changes and other grant uncertainties) that increase urgency for a coordinated strategy and diversified local funding. The county will return to the board with the completed gap analysis and a recommended funding approach; staff cautioned that funders will likely be more limited going forward and that the coalition’s ask, if any, will aim for coordination rather than duplication of existing services.

Clarifying details

- CSU household survey sample size: 1,076 people (statistically relevant sample for local reporting).
- Harvest for Hunger: awarded annual lease for HHS space; operating hours planned Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- 2 Roots Farm CSA: program supported by LFPA local-food purchasing funds for older adults and WIC families.

Ending: The coalition will deliver the online GIS gap map and tactical strategic plan with budget estimates; staff said the board can expect funding requests or recommendations once the plan clarifies program-level costs and gaps.

Speakers:
Sam Lander Casper — Deputy Director, Human Services (government)
Lindsay Maich — Human Services Director (government)
Representatives cited: Lift Up; Harvest for Hunger; 2 Roots Farm; Colorado State University (partners)","Sam Lander Casper and Pitkin County human services staff summarized years of regional work on food security, cited a CSU household survey and a food-hub feasibility study, and reported that Harvest for Hunger has been awarded a lease at the county HHS building to run a stigma-free pantry.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6525377,"Pitkin County veteran services officer reports new claims, retro payments and regional support plans",1085,4250000,5335000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720&start=4250&end=5335","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3517521-8e49bb4a909ff6291217746da9a3a720/thumbnail_4250000.jpg","/articles/6525377/Pitkin-County/Colorado/Pitkin-County-veteran-services-officer-reports-new-claims-retro-payments-and-regional-support-plans","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6525377-a6b5d74e8a99200db92aeebfbf5a629e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771174818&Signature=euOaTM8Zoh-3~Aq1rqq1Ky5Ruc2BRiKFQfhoWpPsEd4ciAUIMu5hAcLrqRF6jtCHuAGBBdHAOld2zOe7G3NpkwIzXI3SGP56A~OSoYG6zdYf~LmBkn1gX84F92vkh3DbJnlqwHqcX2g2jtL6TRRElVbfGFLfV8NgdJi~jmq03Nr937Z8MaLOHWK~XZvyQOl6H4hAjBoyTpkqxgl~9JzApzvLOFmbpyoR3xNheeO4fygC-RL2XiWtgjk5822w4vRxGZQstQ2BLheh0ktoWJcJWRkQMT8wp~wmFL8qGKAxZOkNkdckqWFfW7Q50k7LCQ1lY3maBN7lhmxsJc1Ap1bLFg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adam Lazarow, Pitkin County’s veteran service officer, reported to the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that his office has increased claims activity, supported veterans in securing retroactive compensation and is coordinating with neighboring counties to sustain services while local and regional staffing transitions continue.

Lazarow said he enrolled veterans, filed disability claims and helped veterans connect with VA health-care enrollment, vet centers and state veteran services. Lazarow described a mix of outcomes: some veterans received retroactive payments large enough to substantially change their financial situation, he said, and other claims are pending.

Nut graf: Lazarow said Pitkin County’s veteran service work combines local intake and federal claims support, and he and county staff are pursuing intergovernmental arrangements to ensure coverage while neighboring counties rebuild their own veteran service capacity.

Details from the VSO briefing

- Caseload and claims: Lazarow said he filed roughly 20 claims in 2024 and had filed 15 claims in 2025 at the time of his update; he reported about 13 pending claims. He said his active caseload in Pitkin County is about 60 clients.

- Local veteran counts and VA spending: Lazarow, citing VA geographic expenditure data, said 657 Pitkin County veterans were “accounted for” in 2023 VA reports and that VA-related expenditures in the area were reported in those federal datasets.

- Benefits and impact: Lazarow described that certain disability ratings unlock additional benefits (for example, a 50% rating can secure free VA health care) and that he has helped veterans secure retroactive payments, including examples cited in the tens of thousands of dollars that helped individuals with housing stability.

- Regional staffing and intergovernmental support: Lazarow and county staff said Garfield County recently lost its veteran service officer and Eagle County was hiring; Pitkin County is helping regionally. Human services staff described an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) in development with Garfield and Eagle that would include veteran services alongside public benefits programs to boost capacity while other counties recruit and credential staff.

Local response and next steps

Commissioners and staff thanked Lazarow and offered county support for outreach and events. Commissioner Patty offered county assistance for events such as Veterans Day and community parades. Lazarow said he and county staff plan to continue outreach to increase enrollment and connection to VA services.

Clarifying details

- Pitkin County veteran counts: Lazarow cited 657 veterans “accounted for” in VA geographic expenditure data for 2023; he said his local caseload is about 60 active clients.
- Retro payments: Lazarow said some veterans had received retroactive payments in the order of thousands to tens of thousands of dollars depending on the filing and claim outcomes.

Ending: Lazarow asked for the county’s continued help with outreach and with an IGA approach to spread veteran-service workload while neighboring counties rebuild capacity.

Speakers:
Adam Lazarow — Veteran service officer, Pitkin County (government)
Lindsay Maich — Human Services Director (government)
Patty — Commissioner (government)
Jeffrey — Commissioner (government)","Adam Lazarow, Pitkin County’s veteran service officer, told commissioners he has filed claims that generated retroactive payments for local veterans and that he is building partnerships with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and neighboring counties to maintain services while regional capacity is rebuilt.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pitkin County human services directors report first-quarter spending on track; commissioners approve Q1 expenditures and payrolls

County staff flag Medicaid, SNAP and other state/federal changes that could affect local services

Regional food-security coalition lays out strategy; Harvest for Hunger awarded HHS lease, strategic planning and Emma’s Store feasibility continue

Pitkin County veteran services officer reports new claims, retro payments and regional support plans