Larimer County human services warns of funding pressures after legislature: CCAP supplements, TANF and child‑welfare costs strain local budgets

Larimer County human services leaders on May 5 told the Board of Social Services that recent legislative decisions and federal uncertainties produced a mix of one-time funding gains and continuing financial risk for county programs.

Heather O'Hare, human services director, summarized bills and budget changes the department tracked this session and stressed both short‑term appropriations and long‑term exposure. "This was probably the best budget year for human services that I've seen in many many years," O'Hare said, while urging caution about federal changes that could reduce funding for TANF, SNAP and other programs.

County staff highlighted three near‑term budget outcomes: a supplemental infusion for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), additional county administrative funding for eligibility work, and Medicaid/Medicaid‑related rule and policy negotiations that remain unsettled. O'Hare said the state approved $15 million in supplemental CCAP funding for the current year and an additional $10 million ongoing starting in July; staff noted that county match percentages will rise as well. County staff also said the legislature and Joint Budget Committee (JBC) provided roughly $25 million in new county-administration funding statewide (food assistance SNAP and Medicaid administration combined), with Larimer County’s share helping to cover…