Auditor: Pueblo West receives unmodified opinion on 2024 financial statements

Christine McLeod, audit partner at Haney & Company, told the Pueblo West Metropolitan District board on July 14 that her firm issued an unmodified (clean) opinion on the district’s 2024 financial statements, dated June 30, 2025. "We did issue an unmodified or sometimes heard of as a clean opinion on the 2024 financial statements on June 30, 2025," McLeod said.

McLeod summarized the audit approach and highlights: the district reported a healthy government‑wide net position, capital assets account for the majority of that position, and charges for services in proprietary funds are covering related expenses. She said general revenues rose because of higher property tax revenue and a reported land sale and noted a roughly $12 million year‑over‑year increase in total net position.

The auditors reviewed accounting changes required by recent GASB pronouncements and reported no disagreements with management and no uncorrected material misstatements. McLeod recommended improving document‑retention practices for older inventory invoices after testwork found some supporting documents were difficult to locate; she said staff and auditors were able to obtain sufficient invoices for comfort on balances.

The board asked about the term of Haney & Company's engagement; McLeod said this was her firm's second year auditing the district. The board did not take action on the audit presentation; McLeod closed by thanking district finance staff for their cooperation.

What happens next: the district will use the audited financial statements as the basis for 2026 budget planning and will consider the auditor’s document‑retention recommendation as staff prepares year‑end and budget materials.