[{"_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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6455304,"mediaKeyId","5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf","parentId",5848801,"title","Adams County proposes 2026 health‑plan renewals, new Kaiser option and mental‑health coverage changes","audioSeconds",2009,"startMs",14002000,"endMs",16011000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf&start=14002&end=16011","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf/thumbnail_14002000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455304/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-proposes-2026-healthplan-renewals-new-Kaiser-option-and-mentalhealth-coverage-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455304-f186b52eb26eb6e04de18349b3b80422/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497747&Signature=mEuEewvva2H5siU8x6BjA6vzTp34KDp~MOlrbGck7QPEMwMqXIGtUJqvPIoDXu4KYNE9dhM8mLJUgPC4Xy7xX1XC2Fi8MPgLPP2cM4Ti0QgXxsmizOldA-o2PA48L~sSXKHlmJ3zboKWuk9z~m7MPDK-JVSXBDdkxohX9d3Acac3uqaR-08-B8FoPlkYOJq5HvGo6ALXHRYMpZpS1E2A5oBihmnaNXyZvv1DcmPFZa2gUY7SJ3zn-0fqVUnmC6bxUfo3fu5QMd3yI-4Z9jKxfYswx1svU4KflkazqDSIoUpgVGTC1~hRnv-BHYpla4wZta0IjMpA60PF9IzxfkEqhQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Adams County","date","2025-09-29T20:21:37Z","article","Adams County benefits staff presented a recommended package of 2026 employee and retiree benefit renewals to the Board of County Commissioners, proposing a new Kaiser option, pooled renewals for medical plans and a change to how the county provides on‑site clinic mental‑health services.

What staff recommended:
- Pooled medical rate renewal: the county pools Kaiser Permanente and UnitedHealthcare renewals to dampen year‑to‑year swings; the initial pooled increase estimate is materially higher on an annual basis because of increased enrollments for 2025–26, but staff reported a smaller per‑employee premium increase after pooling.
- New Kaiser “Everyday Care Plan A”: benefits staff proposed adding a lower‑cost Kaiser HMO option that includes $0 office‑visit and generic drug copays for primary care and would reduce premiums for employees and retirees who do not need high inpatient coverage. Staff estimated the new option would modestly lower the pooled renewal percentage depending on migration.
- Clinic mental‑health contract change: benefits staff advised the board to discontinue the county’s contract with a clinic provider (Minds and Associates) because utilization has been low while fixed contract payments make per‑visit costs high. Instead, benefits staff proposed expanding medical‑plan mental‑health benefits so the first 12 therapy visits in a calendar year are covered at $0 copay (additional visits at a modest copay for most plans). Benefits manager Cindy Barrow explained the county self‑funds several plans and that \"we pay our own claims\" for those products; moving care into the medical plan is intended to increase access and lower per‑visit costs.

Financial and operational context: benefits staff reported an estimated annual increase of roughly $8.4 million in total benefits costs across employee and retiree lines based on current enrollments and pooled renewal rates, and noted that enrollment growth (more employees and mid‑year changes from waived coverage into county plans) explains much of the year‑over‑year increase in total dollars. The county is self‑insured on many plans, and benefits staff cautioned that large claim experience in a small retiree pool can produce significant premium swings.

Retiree plans: staff highlighted substantial anticipated increases in some Medicare Advantage and retiree‑medical options and said they plan a longer‑term review of pre‑65 retiree coverage and affordability options.

Board reaction: commissioners probed details about per‑employee premium effects versus total program cost, asked for enrollment and historical trend data, and requested that staff include plausible cost scenarios in budget materials. Benefits staff also told commissioners they will issue a request for proposals for brokerage/consulting services after operational issues were raised about broker performance during a prior renewal.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","September 29, 2025, Board of County Commissioners Study Session","oneSentenceSummary","Adams County benefits staff presented a recommended package of 2026 employee and retiree benefit renewals and proposed a new Kaiser HMO option and a change in clinic mental‑health delivery to expand plan‑based coverage.","taxTitle","Adams County, Colorado","taxId",4150,"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},6455313,"Adams County capital plan prioritizes detention repairs and runway work; committee urges focus on projects that can be delivered",2630,6604000,9234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf&start=6604&end=9234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf/thumbnail_6604000.jpg","/articles/6455313/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-capital-plan-prioritizes-detention-repairs-and-runway-work-committee-urges-focus-on-projects-that-can-be-delivered","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455313-20f7a670442932fe313d7b47bbddde4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497747&Signature=Jaaeru9RTlN5Ew5MIWIR05uXZXxAso7RUIh77Mu4YzXPp5jFP4I6J-3h0LxewqHtbucWeaz3zx1-FB07zQ3XI2JgU~Icfp9icX5ZOo7S9LPLKkIsRhE5wZ1vq3hXJtAOrhJmRMrn9AN6q-9c9G5Lbw1D3L8lx1yexbmUIxloYDmmzkr1xNYdbUUJdpd9VPgmNfBvR90~CsV1XdXVnQOSvWgDGJ9UCbW87g4ud9lNRo9i4SeUqn5nkJMGbXu4g-KaS1WtpdSycwlM6VzXFR1Awxa9P-HaAFtFSKmotDWjfNboxVPXUd315NzYY9r6A693MtJB-CkLKcQFiQWA44XKCg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County staff and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) committee presented their recommendations for the 2026 capital program at the budget retreat, urging the Board of County Commissioners to prioritize deliverable projects and to be cautious about overcommitting staff capacity.

What the committee recommended: the CIP committee scored 53 projects and recommended funding the top 25% of projects. The highest‑scoring project group included detention‑facility repairs (prioritized for safety and structural work) and runway 17/35 rehabilitation at the Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP), which scored highly in part because of expected FAA grant support.

Why the board must weigh deliverability: staff and committee members repeatedly told commissioners that human and administrative capacity to deliver capital projects is constrained. Committee members urged that the middle group of projects be held in a “parking lot” to be advanced only if funding and implementation capacity become available, and that the bottom 25% be returned for redevelopment and clearer justification.

Notable projects and considerations:
- Detention facility maintenance: rated highest for health, safety and structural needs. Staff said the scope could be cash‑funded for priority repairs, but larger renovation versus replacement questions remain. A deep‑dive session on detention repairs is scheduled with the board.
- Runway 17/35 rehab at CASP: scored highly because expected federal (FAA) grants reduce local share; committee warned the project’s score would fall significantly if federal funding did not materialize.
- Flat Rock shooting range enclosure: included to address lead mitigation and ventilation.
- Parks and open‑space requests: several projects were listed as advancing from restricted open‑space funds and thus are not competing with general‑fund capital requests.

Budgetary context: the county’s CIP funds contain a mix of monies already encumbered, spent, and unencumbered; staff noted that many projects are multi‑year and that a sizeable portion of appropriations remains unspent through the year, which makes rigorous carryover review necessary.

Board direction and next steps: commissioners asked for clearer lists that show (a) which projects are in the top tier to be funded in 2026, (b) the parking‑lot list of projects that could be advanced if resources appear, and (c) the full carryover inventory showing projects with no activity. Staff said they will provide detailed project‑level budgets and carryover lists and will present the detention‑facility options in a focused session.","The Capital Improvement Plan committee recommended funding the top 25% of scored projects, with the county detention facility repairs and Colorado Air and Space Port runway rehabilitation among top priorities. Staff and commissioners emphasized delivery capacity and federal grant dependency for large projects.",{"_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},6455316,"Local and state economy slowing but not in recession, CU economist tells Adams County budget retreat",3816,1506000,5322000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf&start=1506&end=5322","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf/thumbnail_1506000.jpg","/articles/6455316/Adams-County/Colorado/Local-and-state-economy-slowing-but-not-in-recession-CU-economist-tells-Adams-County-budget-retreat","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455316-89705853b505bba47bb5fda562620e1c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497747&Signature=ZrZxq~aKQhAvRivgt0pcYI0U3v3PgIJaxmoLZNuHkRLA-60ubbKhNBqmfVW7CFILHQ4JstYJc9Lp9anNkkIUyvelY5bFP7F~iLDRYcVOdYSI9G~OgJBocxcaNt-P9lXyuJ4Q7NEI8nlcZW5q9xjwPUdxwCO3dhz1vy3T1vXJGtvevV6~~GcX69EPNh4RZ5ypLT2IajrtLW4vpTX231e-Wf3z5XpxGru3TTixWzBarxhSxdev7gJqcLgH90TnD8IJzs57Hu0sEo8DELa1glQ51uNOa-D-LR1pTHI5bKThT1-JGiTwGxaCYEPhl0K91dfMo8L2zWw8iwCqXvz1BQex4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","An economic presentation to the Adams County Board of County Commissioners on the county’s 2026 budget forecast found slower growth statewide but no imminent national recession.

Dr. Richard Wobekind, a longtime economist at the University of Colorado’s Leeds School of Business, told commissioners the national baseline projection is modest growth — about 1.5% GDP — and that Colorado’s strong multi-year expansion has slowed markedly in the last 12–21 months. \"The economy is very slow footing, but nonetheless, not recessionary,\" Wobekind said during his briefing.

Why it matters: county revenues that feed the budget — particularly retail sales tax and portions of personal income tax flows to local services — are driven by employment and consumption. Wobekind emphasized that slower job growth reduces upside in sales-tax receipts and that Adams County needs to plan for a flatter near-term outlook.

Key details presented to the board:
- Employment: Colorado’s employment growth has declined relative to its 2010–2023 run; Wobekind placed recent year-over-year employment growth in the low single digits for the state and noted pockets of negative growth across some metropolitan statistical areas. Adams County’s local employment was presented as stronger than the statewide average, but with slowing labor‑force growth.
- Labor market dynamics: Wobekind highlighted the drop in net international immigration as a significant factor reducing labor‑force growth. He also noted that the ratio of job openings to unemployed workers has fallen substantially from the post‑COVID peak, and that mismatches between job openings and worker skills remain important for local workforce policy.
- Consumption and personal income: National personal income and consumption continue growing but at a slower rate; household wealth (housing and securities) helped maintain consumption since 2021. Wobekind flagged weakening savings rates and rising delinquencies in some categories (for example student loans and subprime auto loans) as risks for lower‑income households.
- Interest rates and housing: Wobekind explained that short‑term Federal Reserve moves do not automatically lower long‑term mortgage rates, and he urged the commissioners to watch long‑term yields and federal debt buying patterns. He said Colorado’s one‑year home‑price appreciation has cooled and is currently among the slowest in the country — a factor that is easing inflation pressures measured in regional CPI components.

Board questions and discussion focused on workforce development, the role of higher education and trade programs in matching people to jobs, and how local permitting and construction activity appear to be outperforming statewide trends. Commissioners asked Wobekind whether to expect a persistent downturn in growth; he said the county should treat 2026 as a stabilization year and plan conservatively for 2027 when legislative changes and national shifts could reduce taxable values and revenues.

Where this leads: county staff told the board they will use the baseline/optimistic/pessimistic scenario framework from the presentation when preparing the draft budget and revenue forecasts, and will avoid locking recurring spending into the budget that cannot be supported if 2027 collections soften.","Dr. Richard Wobekind of the University of Colorado presented a detailed forecast to Adams County commissioners, saying employment growth has slowed, consumption is holding, and risks such as immigration trends and interest-rate uncertainty make 2026–27 planning more cautious.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455308,"Adams County debt advisers outline COP capacity; assessor data and state law will alter property‑tax outlook",385,9677000,10062000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf&start=9677&end=10062","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf/thumbnail_9677000.jpg","/articles/6455308/Adams-County/Colorado/Adams-County-debt-advisers-outline-COP-capacity-assessor-data-and-state-law-will-alter-propertytax-outlook","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455308-46c7fe83e692488aa0585d8d9080d665/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497747&Signature=O1TlNJV9w~gUbx7fxBmEx9VemCcTCmwPNu899mdL9sjzHBgJsiQy1V25Xnp94rEyt4Dl0XW0Z~t5QwNT-rO5u9~ekIzPZHm~q3sFc4tEX5Z2rgb0zHYpFovbCnOCsiQcFV9goAAm-DmZYhv2DCWArZH84Hyp6hhD64iQPsYAXxGRkFM-h3YxvV9MYTTQ8BgLsj2j8vPHq9SKIU6KvOPIaZfkCQC9DU21wrjlpNxMgge-r4DWVGfHXd4LKHvRBnXauUoW0SbVYe0VpytYvqCqZ0495JbaEfFA4rvU2GjVYDE5l4r8d8x6p44mf9UQVaUov0adj0zxa-4V-OXu1lPpZg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Adams County’s independent municipal adviser told the Board of County Commissioners the county has room to issue certificates of participation (COPs) but interest‑rate moves and policy changes make borrowing decisions time‑sensitive.

Robin Moore of Piper Sandler gave commissioners a capacity analysis for COP financing and said, based on the county’s current finances and today’s market rates, the combined COP capacity across applicable funds is in the hundreds of millions of dollars. Moore cautioned that the capacity estimate is sensitive to interest‑rate moves: a 50‑basis‑point rise in rates materially lowers how much the county can prudently borrow.

Key takeaways from the debt briefing:
- COP capacity: Piper Sandler presented a high‑level capacity range (the presentation showed a combined amount in the high‑hundreds of millions under today's rates). The adviser stressed the analysis is scenario‑based and assumes conservative revenue and expenditure growth, a debt‑service coverage cushion, and existing COP obligations.
- Interest‑rate sensitivity: Small changes in long‑term market rates materially change borrowing capacity; a 50‑basis‑point increase reduced the adviser’s illustrative capacity substantially in the model.
- Rating and prudence considerations: The firm noted that large new borrowings can affect credit ratings; cities and counties typically weigh credit‑rating impacts, ongoing operating flexibility, and capital needs before deciding the size and structure of COP issues.

Property‑tax outlook and state law impact

County staff and the assessor presented the preliminary 2025 certified values (for collection in 2026) and explained how state legislation will alter assessed‑value math in later years. The 2025 preliminary certification showed an increase in county taxable value compared with 2024. Staff reported a projected increase in 2026 property‑tax revenues of about $21.4 million compared with the current year, but also warned that a rise in abatement claims and the new state law will complicate multi‑year receipts.

House Bill 24B1001: staff summarized the recently enacted legislative change to assessment rules (commonly referred to in staff materials as HB 24B1001). The bill changes assessment‑rate calculations for various property classes in future years. Staff showed that the commercial assessment rate is scheduled to decrease over the next two years and that those changes, combined with the law’s residential adjustments, can produce a sizable reduction in taxable value in 2027 even after a 2026 uptick.

What the board asked: commissioners asked staff to treat the 2026 increase conservatively and to avoid locking recurring operating increases that could become unaffordable in 2027 when assessed values and revenue bases may decline under the new state calculation. Staff said they will smooth revenue assumptions across 2026–27 and present multiple scenarios in the draft budget.","Piper Sandler advised the board on certificates of participation (COP) capacity, saying the county could borrow hundreds of millions at current rates; staff also presented the assessor's preliminary certification and explained how House Bill 24B1001 will reduce assessed‑value growth in 2027, requiring a two‑year budgeting outlook.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6455299,"County manager’s office seeks organizational assessment, neighborhood program funding and public‑affairs work on detention issues",2070,17175000,19245000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf&start=17175&end=19245","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5848801-83d23246f321cf3007a5114ac008c0bf/thumbnail_17175000.jpg","/articles/6455299/Adams-County/Colorado/County-managers-office-seeks-organizational-assessment-neighborhood-program-funding-and-publicaffairs-work-on-detention-issues","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455299-400e2cb167049d9aaa991f7bb5ee7a24/orig.mp4?Expires=1770497747&Signature=FghKzoSHItaYxeGqwxJRtSRmrDDEEI4eDHxRC0KZBEiX1Ni-PoAR9QwThoHwducq9fccAi9SM605TDZ3f-K9yvcmyVzeXVpnTgyUq-SsaZ6RsFS4RN~PLxcgMOt6BaXFs2wlGZn7sdvXVaNPpK4KLFDT2Mk7GrwEK6IjR-hFmb0LmTInCr19EpcIHbA8h~sS6JP7RKh730kJ4XdG2me6JGl2GowQ7YoIK0gs92l9YoKvcE14MQFtUZepPcqTmZAl1nqIEH7PHQcZ8T3PoyW25r6gEfILoLSFh0~l0kkF80sQNm44-pTTMTOxrpEFcYULB6onL5q23eZjXTNpqU1tlA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The county manager’s office outlined several business cases for the 2026 budget that would fund organizational reviews and community engagement programs and provide on‑going support for the county’s neighborhood‑level resilience work.

Major elements of the CMO request:
- Organizational assessment (one‑time): a countywide review to identify duplications, recommend operational changes, strengthen performance measurement and improve customer experience across departments. Staff described this as the office’s top priority; the assessment would begin in early 2026 if funded.
- Public‑affairs work on detention issues (one‑time request): a proposal to fund a $250,000 public‑affairs contract to develop messaging and a multi‑year engagement strategy aimed at building public understanding of detention‑facility needs and options. Staff said the work would include strategy development and some messaging expenditure should the board choose to pursue longer‑term funding options; commissioners asked for a detailed scope and an accounting of prior 2024 engagement spending before deciding.
- SPARC (Office of Strategic Partnerships and Resilient Communities) requests: a one‑time launch for a Neighborhood Leadership Academy and modest ongoing operational support to sustain the program. The Neighborhood Leadership Academy would fund training for neighborhood leaders and build an ongoing civic engagement pipeline; staff asked for a one‑time setup plus an estimated $22,000 per year thereafter.
- Grants office staffing conversions: the manager’s office asked to convert project‑designated grant positions (currently ARPA‑funded) into ongoing FTEs to centralize grant administration and improve continuity; staff said ARPA funding will cover salary and benefits through 2026 with modest ongoing cost thereafter.

Board discussion: commissioners requested more detail on prior outreach spending, the specific deliverables and expected timeline for the organizational assessment, and clarification about whether the SPARC operational dollars would expand obligations beyond ARPA support. Several commissioners emphasized the need to avoid adding long‑term operating commitments unless the board prioritizes them and is willing to offset them by reducing or repurposing other FTEs or line items.

Next steps: staff said they will provide project‑level budgets and personnel trade‑off options in upcoming study sessions, and will prepare procurement documents if the board chooses to proceed with the public‑affairs or organizational‑assessment engagements.","The county manager’s office asked the board to approve one‑time funding for an organizational assessment and public‑affairs support for detention‑facility messaging, plus ongoing modest funding for the SPARC neighborhood initiative and conversion of grant‑project staff to ongoing positions.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Adams County proposes 2026 health‑plan renewals, new Kaiser option and mental‑health coverage changes

Adams County capital plan prioritizes detention repairs and runway work; committee urges focus on projects that can be delivered

Local and state economy slowing but not in recession, CU economist tells Adams County budget retreat

Adams County debt advisers outline COP capacity; assessor data and state law will alter property‑tax outlook

County manager’s office seeks organizational assessment, neighborhood program funding and public‑affairs work on detention issues