HB 25-1279

HB 25-1279, a Colorado state bill that has been signed into law, aims to improve the management and transparency of the Colorado Works program. The bill requires the Department of Human Services to develop a standardized process for collecting data from each county about the program's activities and outcomes. This includes tracking how Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are used and reporting this information monthly on their website starting in 2026. Additionally, it allocates $154,000 to evaluate the effectiveness of the works program during the 2025-26 fiscal year. This bill affects government agencies involved with social services and individuals who rely on TANF assistance. Since the bill has been signed, these requirements are now in effect or will be implemented as specified dates approach.

Official Summary

No later than October 1, 2025, the act requires the department of human services (state department), in consultation with the works allocation committee, to: Develop a standardized process for each county to collect and report to the state department on a monthly basis certain information about the Colorado works program; Develop recommendations that include a menu of standardized outcome measures and required levels of evidence for third-party contracted services funded with Colorado's temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) allocation; and Submit a report to the joint budget committee (JBC) that includes a description of the standardized process and recommendations. Beginning January 1, 2026, and each January thereafter, the act requires the state department to submit a report to the JBC that includes the information collected and reported through the standardized process and the total dollar amount of Colorado's TANF allocation that is redistributed through the state budget or other programs and services and publish the information on a monthly basis on the state department's website in a publicly accessible format. No later than July 1, 2026, the act requires the state department to submit a report to the JBC that includes certain information related to the standard of need for eligibility for basic cash assistance. For the 2025-26 state fiscal year, the act appropriates $154,000 to the department of human services for use by the office of economic security to conduct the works program evaluation. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)

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