Eagle, Pitkin Counties See Fewer Assistance Fraud Cases
Officials say they are already seeing success in stopping residents from taking advantage of social services in Eagle and Pitkin Counties. This comes after a new focus on reviewing public assistance cases. In January, Eagle County dedicated two employees to review cases where residents are getting certain benefits. It’s modeled off of programs elsewhere, like Garfield County and the Front Range. The workers review every qualifying case in Pitkin and Eagle Counties. Rita Woods is Fiscal and Operations Director with Health & Human Services. She says most people on assistance do need it.
“But it’s our job just to insure that taxpayer confidence, in our fiscal fiduciary, that we’re checking to make sure the right people are receiving the right benefit at the right time.”
Her office points to a recent fraud case as evidence of the program’s success. An Eagle resident has pleaded guilty to using food and medical assistance even though she didn’t qualify.
State Audit: Colorado’s Health Care Exchange Lacks Oversight
A new state audit finds that Colorado’s health insurance exchange under the Federal Affordable Care Act is lacking in several key areas of financial oversight. The Denver Post reports the Office of the State Auditor’s report finds lack of adequate financial controls and a failure to ensure the public funds are spent in accordance with federal laws. The audit is being release just as Connect for Health Colorado moves off federal funding and moves towards self-sustainability in the New Year. So far, the insurance exchange has received just shy of $178 Million in Federal grants since 2012. As of September of this year it has spent almost $137 Million. Key areas of the state auditor’s findings include lack of tracking funds, payments and containment of personnel costs, high levels of staff turnover and lack of knowledge of federal requirements for use of grant money and lack of controls and oversight on vendor purchases. The interim director of Connect for Health Colorado is Gary Drews. He says the organization agrees with the recommendations and is implementing the findings.
Aspen City Council to Talk Lodging Ordinance, Again, Tonight
Aspen City Council will take up the issue of a lodging ordinance again. At a meeting this evening, officials will continue to discuss whether to pursue changing city regulations with the goal of boosting improvements for existing lodges and condominiums. The conversation follows a controversial version of the lodging ordinance passed and was then canceled earlier this year. Tonight’s meeting will include public comment. The City Planner’s office says February would be the earliest the Aspen City Council could consider a proposed change to city regulations around lodging.
Ski Co Trying a “Green” Groomer
Aspen Skiing Company proudly presented an eco-friendly ski groomer this morning. The machine is on loan and the first to meet pending national environmental rules. In the new year, all new, more powerful groomers in the U.S. will be expected to emit less pollution and have what’s called a Tier 4 engine. For two weeks, Ski Co has been demoing the first groomer to meet those standards. Trails director Joey Giampaolo has tried it out and says lower emissions haven’t affected performance.
“They’ve actually boosted 50 horsepower in this engine to take up what we lost in power, but it actually is still clean and it’s actually comparable in fuel to Tier 3, so it’s actually going to be just as good.”
The new groomer’s fuel efficiency is 0.7 gallons per acre. Ski Co is hoping to start leasing two of the groomers next year.
