Rio Blanco County delays hiring decisions after lengthy DHS staffing review; requests written justification

RIO BLANCO COUNTY, Colo. — The Rio Blanco County Board of County Commissioners on Oct. 28 heard a detailed presentation from Department of Human Services (DHS) staff about strained caseworker capacity, budget overruns and options for child-support services, but took no immediate hiring action.

Carmen (DHS staff) told commissioners the department was operating with two caseworkers plus an APS worker, a supervisor and a case aide and described multiple active investigations and prevention cases. She said the office had exceeded its overtime budget: "We were budgeted for $3,000 for the year, and we've used $5,315.74," she said, citing the department’s payroll figures.

The matter drew extensive questions from commissioners about whether the frozen position is included in the 2026 budget, the department’s current caseload counts, and whether any imminent resignations would create further vacancies. Carmen said one additional caseworker was already vacant and a…