[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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",[32,75,87],{"_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",6147389,"mediaKeyId","5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40","parentId",5521149,"title","Pueblo County approves administrative services agreement with Anthem; county emphasizes wellness and self-funded model","audioSeconds",492,"startMs",1013000,"endMs",1505000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40&start=1013&end=1505","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40/thumbnail_1013000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6147389/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Pueblo-County-approves-administrative-services-agreement-with-Anthem-county-emphasizes-wellness-and-self-funded-model","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147389-342193d8580bf6f9e2d81768037644e5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775720974&Signature=WIkyJvcZJIcl1AfP0cvae0Kl05TS9IR-e8gpADKEQaA48~DC2VeS0CSYYmKPYss1NR4nIvu3VuouSXGiyoFqPQWQgEtgEpDMR4taRJLViNbk0h9biUv5OnSTdRUvAWqRQ02jLdQlWH2-tpjCBLD2qWcgR7OhfDDK38LH8C4AYZMgZHJ40j7Jx8s-EirUKINwnIdLY2ZvbtEudqCMB5l9GLOPIP~L5HhQFD5RNXRyc0w9Ub2rTKjPLT2jtgeUY4uq~PSAlnF255APv96bWSKIwcyq19ZY-KZ5QnH34AYOhST4X~-LeApEzbpfItRxJ6hWNbSPXkkS7-WIj~yfLDSk-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pueblo County","date","2025-07-29T00:00:00Z","article","Pueblo County commissioners on July 29 approved a resolution to continue an administrative services agreement with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield while retaining the county's self-funded health plan.

Patsy Cresswell, director of talents and people services, told commissioners the county has stayed with Anthem for years because the carrier provides retiree coverage, a broad provider network and a low-HMO plan that many carriers will not offer. The county is self-funded and pays claims directly; staff said the county's annual claims run close to $20,000,000 and that the county uses a stop-loss (reinsurance) policy that reimburses claims above a $300,000 threshold.

Cresswell and wellness staff credited the county's wellness programs with helping hold rates flat for the past two years. Mary Kroll, the county's wellness specialist, runs multiple free classes for employees; county staff said the program partners include New Leaf Therapy, UCHealth Mobile Nurses, Southeastern Colorado Health Education Center, Be Well health tracker/HealthBot and the YMCA. Staff said fewer than four claims reached the stop-loss threshold in the recent period (two claims exceeded $300,000), which county staff described as an unusually low number for an organization of Pueblo County's size.

County staff said the administrative services agreement is retroactive to Jan. 1 and contains mostly minor formatting revisions from the prior year. Commissioners were told the county conducts monthly claims reviews with Gallagher benefit consultants to identify high-cost claim drivers (cancer and chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension) and to develop targeted programs. Staff also said an RFP process is under way to ensure competitive carriers for 2026, and interviews were scheduled the day of the meeting.

Commissioners approved the resolution by motion.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pueblo County BOCC Meeting 7/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Board of County Commissioners on July 29 approved an administrative services agreement with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield while maintaining Pueblo County's self-funded plan; staff credited wellness programs and said an RFP for 2026 is underway.","taxTitle","Pueblo County, Colorado","taxId",4963,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147395,"County approves SRDA contracts: home-delivered meals restored to five days; congregate meals and transportation adjusted",155,661000,816000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40&start=661&end=816","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6147395/Pueblo-County/Colorado/County-approves-SRDA-contracts-home-delivered-meals-restored-to-five-days-congregate-meals-and-transportation-adjusted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147395-02ec29f72c8f20f994085046d6694d8e/orig.mp4?Expires=1775720974&Signature=oLSOvVrMFebYrcnyRu9-gBgFKcafpHuEVZhepskeVpxvJ0m5fixH~xkkToCgSDDRbV5SGvWiE3hLAUot9SZLdxgRMMTzCUJsaP7qWi9dTgmecfST8X4obwjLwBI0UU5jBYDQzMs5zJQ8XIrKt0nD1cHhRLtiTSZZdp2RgU91ISfJ-LcP3-YVITeE1xcbz72zpiAeNbyQNaukdfU1o0p7ypZ6iDJWJjR6KzzbcieqAZ3STqJTj9cFjinWRYa6fKPx0a18W1t6aUDb8EH-lNBQ9x~Q-6fjBYoEOUf5FMHOrLRvAe1PxFMTZZGRTcYO7-28dvoMKmCJu5l9SCP2BryK-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pueblo County commissioners on July 29 approved three contracts between the county (as the designated Area Agency on Aging) and the Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) covering congregate meals, home-delivered meals and transportation.

County staff said the state unit on aging reduced the county's award, and the three contracts include an initial funding amount and an additional amount that would be paid if the state restores the withheld 25 percent. The congregate-meals contract was listed at $207,509 initial, with an additional $68,491 contingent on state funds for a total of $276,000 (a decrease of about $64,000 from last year). The home-delivered meals contract was listed at $539,280 initial and $595,000 total after contingent funds, an increase from last year that will restore deliveries to five meals per week. The transportation contract was shown as $245,000 initial and $290,000 total, a decrease from the prior year tied to lower utilization and a prior amendment that moved unused transportation funds to other programs.

Heather Cornell, the program administrator presenting the item, said SRDA operates three congregate-meal sites (a main SRDA site, Fulton Heights and Colorado City). SRDA's main site operates five days a week; Fulton Heights serves three days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday); Colorado City has a one-day site. Eligibility for congregate and home-delivered meals is for residents of Pueblo County aged 60 and older. Cornell said home-delivered meals returned to five days per week effective July 1 and that clients apply through SRDA. County staff noted SRDA's required in-kind match for the congregate site is $30,666.

Commissioners and SRDA staff discussed transportation eligibility and scope: the contracted transportation covers rides only within Pueblo County; staff said that limitation explains why some residents request rides outside the county (to other cities or medical centers), which are not covered by this contract. Drivers generally offer return trips, but whether a driver stays with a client during an appointment depends on scheduling and other rides. Staff said SRDA is prioritizing rides for medical appointments and grocery trips when demand requires it; at the time of the presentation, staff reported no transportation wait list.

Tammy Torres clarified program match rules and assessment criteria: providers must provide a 10 percent match for all three programs, and the Meals on Wheels needs assessment is needs-based rather than medical. Commissioners approved the contracts by motion.","Pueblo County on July 29 approved three contracts between the Pueblo Area Agency on Aging and the Senior Resource Development Agency (SRDA) for congregate meals, home-delivered meals and transportation, reallocating funding after a state cut and restoring home deliveries to five days a week.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6147397,"Board of Equalization denies 2024 tax abatement for Spirits of the Rockies; names Jeff Trostner independent referee",251,94000,345000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40&start=94&end=345","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5521149-8979c1c2234687a5fcc8c08288917e40/thumbnail_94000.jpg","/articles/6147397/Pueblo-County/Colorado/Board-of-Equalization-denies-2024-tax-abatement-for-Spirits-of-the-Rockies-names-Jeff-Trostner-independent-referee","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6147397-285e5a444983262915dd0e77ac1acfaf/orig.mp4?Expires=1775720974&Signature=cLbgPd3r33uGEApX5YZVYm91Z5Nnx531Lw~dUiDJPd8B~8EpdIXCiQn3H-Kyu8BGpNWRehV6yLrAQWqiLx~B-9N8tfe9Bf8LmDl8f6TN0Y7GrbKlUUAiLwejtbgdvIxfT9GRAgurtE728SNGofbm8q5Tb8zs3SDXxvOjzc9vdW0Vb~QhFC53a6OfME9RZITcG7tEtFci2YSrhVMWLJMImAV20sCAyFQOA2VZluzH8oqlb96bUFd-7HjG1OZCHhYwpTj9APpHbgvltn4r7erfS6pn6pyq3bbrTobqSz6nUTWfs0pLuZEeSvL0b0cA7jPzhfwKz~pb4ssLLfBifgudWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pueblo County's Board of Equalization on July 29 denied a petition for abatement or refund of 2024 taxes filed by Spirits of the Rockies Incorporated (Parcel 480223) and approved the appointment of former district attorney Jeff Trostner as an independent referee. Assistant County Attorney Gary Rosso told commissioners he had heard from both the assessor's office and the petitioner and recommended no change to the assessor's valuation.

Rosso's report said the taxpayer had not filed a declaration or schedule of personal property; as a result, the assessor used the best available information and comparables that were higher in value than the business's actual equipment and assets. Rosso and county staff explained to commissioners that missing the required personal property filing can lead to higher assessed values because the assessor relies on comparables when declarations are not provided.

The county attorney said a motion to approve Rosso's recommendation would be appropriate. A commissioner moved to approve a resolution denying the petition for abatement or refund of taxes for the 2024 tax year filed by Spirits of the Rockies Incorporated, Parcel 480223; another commissioner seconded the motion, and the board voted in favor. The board then approved a consent-agenda item appointing Jeff Trostner to serve as an independent referee for Board of Equalization matters; staff said Trostner has previously served in that role and is willing and available to serve.

Commissioners and staff described Rosso's report as thorough and said the case illustrated the practical importance of filing personal property schedules promptly so assessors can use accurate information. No changes to the assessor's valuation were ordered in this matter.

The action on the abatement and the referee appointment were taken during the county's Board of Equalization session before the commissioners reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.","On July 29 the Pueblo County Board of Equalization denied a petition for abatement or refund of 2024 taxes filed by Spirits of the Rockies Inc., citing the taxpayer's failure to file a personal property declaration; the board also appointed former district attorney Jeff Trostner as an independent referee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Pueblo County approves administrative services agreement with Anthem; county emphasizes wellness and self-funded model

County approves SRDA contracts: home-delivered meals restored to five days; congregate meals and transportation adjusted

Board of Equalization denies 2024 tax abatement for Spirits of the Rockies; names Jeff Trostner independent referee