County Administration Public Assistance Programs
Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Emily Sirota (Democratic), Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Kyle Brown (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.
Tax refunds now repay benefit debts
The state can reduce your Colorado tax refund to repay public assistance overpayments. This applies after a final agency decision, court restitution, or judgment. You get notice and at least 30 days to ask for an administrative review or evidentiary conference. For fraudulent child care assistance debts, counties may garnish wages and charge interest. Recovered child care fraud money is split between the state CMIS fund and the county by rule.
Fraud checks move to one statewide team
The state creates a Centralized Member Integrity Service to run fraud investigations, recovery, dispute conferences, and state fraud hearings. It covers Medicaid, the Children’s Basic Health Plan, SNAP, child care assistance, TANF, and adult financial programs. The service is operational July 1, 2027. Counties must join shared services and use the centralized system by July 1, 2028. Counties must route fraud work through CMIS or shared services, and a county contracted to run CMIS is treated as a county department for these functions. State and counties deliver a transition plan by January 1, 2027 and phase in from July 1, 2027 to July 1, 2028.
Monthly public scorecards and one policy team
Beginning September 1, 2026, each county sends monthly caseload and performance data to the state. Agencies post it online, update monthly, and keep past data. Privacy and confidentiality rules apply. A cross‑department policy team aligns program rules, creates standard guidance, reviews major policy changes and budget requests, and reports quarterly.
New fund and 2026–27 money for CMIS
The state creates a CMIS Cash Fund to hold fraud recoveries and any appropriations. Interest earned stays in the fund. Starting July 1, 2028, counties send recovered fraudulent payments to the State Treasurer; required federal shares go to the federal government. The state and the CMIS county get shares tied to the state and county funds paid. For FY 2026–27, HCPF gets $2,438,656 ($1,628,568 General Fund and $810,088 from the Hospital Provider Fee Cash Fund). DHS gets $968,791 General Fund, including $360,250 for the centralized service. Counties cannot claim or be reimbursed for admin costs that duplicate CMIS or shared services.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Cleave Simpson
Republican • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
6/4/2026HouseSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/26/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/26/2026SenateSent to the Governor
5/26/2026HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/13/2026SenateSenate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
5/12/2026SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations
5/11/2026SenateSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole
5/11/2026SenateHouse Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
5/9/2026HouseHouse Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments
5/8/2026HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
5/7/2026HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
5/7/2026HouseIntroduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations
5/1/2026House
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised