Audit committee approves preliminary audits, OSA FY27 budget and state auditor reappointment

The Legislative Audit Committee approved a series of administrative and oversight actions Wednesday, including authorizing preliminary research on two proposed audits, approving the Office of the State Auditors fiscal 2027 budget request, and forwarding the state auditors reappointment for further consultation.

Preliminary audits: On motions from committee members, the panel authorized preliminary research into two audit requests. The Office of the State Auditor will scope a study of the Colorado Department of Agricultures Pet Animal Care and Facilities Act program, focusing on inspection coverage, complaint handling, enforcement against unlicensed operators, data transparency and aligning staffing with statutory responsibilities. The committee also authorized initial research into Colorados behavioral health system, with attention to the Behavioral Health Administration and agencies including HCPF, DHS and CDPHE. Both motions passed with no opposition.

Budget approval: The committee approved the Office of the State Auditors FY27 budget request, which the auditor described as a $15,004,006.72 bottom-line ask (about $13.364 million general fund and $1.641 million reappropriated funds), with authorization to make necessary adjustments in line with Executive Committee or Joint Budget Committee guidance.

Reappointment and reports: Committee members voted to forward a nomination to the Legislative Executive Committee to consider Carrie L. Hunter for a second five-year term as State Auditor beginning July 1, 2026. The committee also approved releasing several audit reports without a hearing; a routine annual report on the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authoritys charter school moral obligation bond program was noted as having no findings.

Next steps: Audit staff will prepare scoping memos for the approved preliminary research projects, provide requested follow-up materials to the committee on funding and per-case cost questions from the CBI audit, and post released reports to the OSA website.