Pitkin County human services directors report first-quarter spending on track; commissioners approve Q1 expenditures and payrolls

Pitkin County human services leaders told the Board of County Commissioners on May 27 that first-quarter 2025 revenues and spending are tracking more closely to the calendar quarter than in prior years, and commissioners approved both the department's first-quarter expenditures and the payroll summary.

Human services Director Lindsay Maich briefed the board that, because Colorado is a state-supervised, county-administered human services system, county commissioners serve as the statutory board of social services and must review program allocations and spending. Maich said Pitkin County’s first-quarter (January–March) revenues for administrative and economic assistance programs were higher than the same period in 2024 while expenditures were lower; overall allocations for the county were drawn down more steadily this year, she said.

“First-quarter 2025 expenditures as a percentage of budget are closer to the 25% of the year that has passed,” Maich said. “We’re getting much closer in terms of how we’re drawing down dollars and matching those to the actual programs and services.”

Nut graf: The presentation covered fund-by-fund performance across Colorado Works (TANF/Colorado Works), the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), child welfare, adult protection, child support and SNAP benefits, and it included staffing and contract changes designed to maintain services if federal or state funding changes.

Key points and program updates

- Colorado Works (TANF): Maich said first-quarter revenue for TANF was close to last year’s, but expenditures were lower. She and staff expect a expenditures increase in Q2 tied to contracted summer programs, including the Aspen Youth Center and Cottage Daycare, and said some households no longer qualify as they become self-sufficient.

- Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP): CCAP revenue and expenditures improved compared with the same period last year. Maich and Norma Avila, manager of the economic assistance division, said payments to providers were increased and the eligible federal poverty level for CCAP was raised to 300% in November 2024, resulting in higher use of services.

- Child welfare: Child welfare revenues and expenditures were more in line with the portion of the year completed. Maich credited improved, timely billing from outside counsel for part of the improvement.

- Adult protection and senior services: The department noted a Q1 increase in adult protection revenue and that adult protection expenditures are budgeted at a higher level than revenues. Maich said adult protection is effectively an “unfunded mandate,” with limited state allocation that the county has historically backfilled.

- Contracts and intergovernmental support: Maich told the board Pitkin County contracts with Garfield County Human Services for child support services and has short-term agreements with Eagle County to administer CCAP eligibility after a staff resignation. She said Eagle County agreed to handle CCAP duties while Pitkin County hires and retrains staff.

Commission action

Commissioner Kerancy moved to approve the first-quarter expenditures; Commissioner Jeffrey seconded the motion. The board voted in favor. Later in the meeting the board approved the department’s first-quarter payroll report after a separate motion and second. (Audio record: motion made and second recorded; the board responded with the verbal “Aye.”)

Discussion, contingency planning and staffing

Maich and her team described contingency planning tied to federal and state budget proposals. She identified healthcare/Medicaid, adult and aging programs and nutrition, immigration-related services, and early childhood programs as the areas with the highest risk from proposed state or federal changes. Maich said potential policy changes such as more frequent eligibility redeterminations or the addition of work requirements would increase workload without accompanying funding.

To address staffing gaps and program continuity, Maich said the department is reorganizing some program responsibilities. For example, CCAP is being moved administratively to the child welfare/family services team to strengthen connections to early-childhood providers, and adult protection functions are being moved to the senior services program because of closer alignment with gerontology expertise and local funding stability.

Norma Avila presented payroll and caseload details for specific benefits programs, noting low participation in Aid to the Needy Disabled and higher CCAP caseloads since the November payment and eligibility changes. Avila also described LEAP outreach results and an outreach buy funded in part by a LEAP outreach grant.

What the votes mean and next steps

The board’s approvals allow the department to continue processing payments, contracts and payroll on the schedule reflected in the Q1 reports. Maich told commissioners the department will return with Q2 data showing the effects of summer program contracts on TANF/Colorado Works expenditures and will provide more detailed quarterly breakdowns if the board prefers, including a proposed quarterly breakout for senior services.

Several commissioners asked for senior services to be reported separately in future quarterlies so the board can track potential funding risks and mid-cycle requests. Maich said the department will provide that detail going forward.

Clarifying details

- CCAP eligibility broadened to 300% of the federal poverty level beginning November 2024, which staff said increased enrollment. - Pitkin County contracts with Garfield County Human Services for child support services; Eagle County is providing CCAP eligibility support temporarily after a staff resignation. - Board motions recorded on the audio record: motion to approve first-quarter expenditures (mover: Kerancy; second: Jeffrey; outcome: approved) and motion to approve first-quarter payrolls (mover: not specified on the record; second: Jeffrey; outcome: approved).

Ending: The department said it will return with Q2 reports showing contract-driven spending increases and will bring added senior-services detail per the board’s request.

Speakers: Lindsay Maich — Human services director (government) Norma Avila — Manager, economic assistance division (government) Sam Lander Casper — Deputy director, human services (government) Adam Lazarow — Veteran service officer (government) [limited reference during the social services portion] Jeffrey — Commissioner (government) Kerancy — Commissioner (government)