Pueblo County OKs Colorado Works MOU as TANF funding uncertainty looms

The Pueblo County Board of County Commissioners on Thursday approved a memorandum of understanding with the Colorado Department of Human Services for the Colorado Works (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, TANF) program.

The MOU sets the county’s role in administering Colorado Works locally but does not include a dollar amount, Russell Guerrero, deputy director of family and community services, told commissioners during the meeting.

The agreement matters because Colorado Works funds employment counseling, child-care supports and short-term cash assistance for families in need. Guerrero said Pueblo County serves “about 1,200 families monthly” through the program and that officials are watching the state allocation closely after prior cuts.

Guerrero told the board the MOU itself does not specify money and that the county will receive a contract after the state completes allocations following the long bill. “Nothing on the MOU. We’ll get a contract later after the long bill signed and they did that allocate they do the allocations,” Guerrero said.

Commissioners asked whether further cuts were likely; Guerrero said last year’s TANF allocation for the county was reduced by roughly $500,000 and that county staff typically “expect[] a cut” in such programs. He said the county works with community partners — including Catholic Charities, Boys & Girls Club and Colorado State University Pueblo — to fill gaps if funding is reduced, and he encouraged commissioners to consider applying for seats on the Colorado Works Allocation Committee (CWAC) to have input on allocation methodology.

After discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the resolution and the board voted in favor. The motion carried.

The county will await the state’s formal allocation to learn how much funding Pueblo will receive and whether the county must adjust services or rely more on community partners.