Health-care agency halves CBMS appropriation request; staff warn of federal-vendor deadline

The committee reviewed a budget amendment and reprocurement schedule for the Colorado Benefits Management System (CBMS). Samantha Falco, Legislative Council staff, said the department reduced its original request of $9.6 million to $4.8 million for 2025-26 and a second $4.8 million for 2026-27, with the revised general-fund portion totaling about $897,817 and federal funds of roughly $3,886,459 for the current amendment.

“This is to fund the fourth phase of the reprocurement for the CBMS system, which is required to have a vendor selected by 06/30/2029,” Falco said, noting the deadline is tied to preserving the federal funding component. Committee members asked whether federal grants were secure under a new administration; Representative Weinberg said she wanted reassurance the federal funding streams would remain available. Falco and Dan Gravy told members no one could guarantee future federal appropriations but that the project has an established history of leveraging federal funds.

Members pressed staff for clarity on the amendment’s reduction and on timing risks. Falco explained the amendment represents a downward revision from the department’s initial figure and that the revised request spreads funding across two fiscal years. Staff said they would track the vendor‑selection deadline and flag any projects with immediate federal compliance timelines for the committee.

No formal vote was taken at the meeting; staff directed to note the CBMS deadline among other time‑sensitive items and to report back on any additional consequences of delaying funding.