Legislative Audit Committee approves audits into veteran-owned contracting goal and Colorado Energy Office finances

The Legislative Audit Committee approved two audit research requests during the hearing: a performance audit into the state's implementation of its 3% contracting goal for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB) and preliminary research into the Colorado Energy Office's financial management and program execution.

Auditor staff presented a memo responding to Representative Marshall's request for a performance audit on SDVOSB contracting. The memo, summarized by staff member Miss Collin, said the state has awarded less than 1% of contracts by dollar value to service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses since fiscal year 2021. The proposed audit would review trends in bid and award data, Department of Personnel and Administration processes for implementing the goal, agency procurement practices, outreach to potentially eligible businesses, and best practices from the federal program and other states.

"The audit would look at what progress the state has made toward achieving its goal and what barriers exist," Miss Collin said, outlining potential audit questions and noting Representative Marshall had reviewed and approved the research scope.

Representative Brooks moved to approve the evaluation request; the motion was seconded and, with no opposition recorded, the committee approved the audit research.

The committee also approved a research request from Senator Pelton to evaluate the Colorado Energy Office's financial management, staffing levels, and program execution. Senator Pelton told members he wants clarity on where cash funds and appropriations are being directed and how the office is tracking those resources. The vice chair moved approval; no objections were recorded and the research was approved.

Committee members and auditors noted that if the audits move forward, staff will perform planning to refine the scope and methodology. The approved requests will be added to the audit office's work plan for preliminary research and potential performance audit work.