Connect with us

Colorado

Medicaid spending in Colorado is unsustainable, Gov. Jared Polis says

Published

on

Medicaid spending in Colorado is unsustainable, Gov. Jared Polis says


Gov. Jared Polis released his budget request for next year, and Medicaid will take a big hit. The governor says the health insurance program for low-income Coloradans is growing at nearly twice the rate of the state government overall.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis 

CBS

Advertisement


Polis says, if the state doesn’t slow the rate of growth, the program will crowd out everything but funding for schools in the next few years.

In the state, 1.2 million Coloradans rely on Medicaid. The governor says none of them will lose coverage, but what that coverage looks like will change. 

“There’s two levers on Medicaid,” Polis said during a press conference. “One is how many people you cover, and two is what you cover.”

Polis’ budget request hones in on what services Medicaid covers.

“There have been a number of benefits that have been added in recent years,” Polis continued. “Some of those are not sustainable over time.” 

Advertisement

Polis’ budget would require prior authorization for more services, more cost sharing and new payment caps. 

“For instance, whereas dental benefits for adults was at $1,500 and then was uncapped, Polis said. “We are saying don’t go back to $1,500, but go back to a $3,000 annual cap.”

The governor says Medicaid is growing by nearly 9% each year, double the rate of spending on other parts of government. He says it’s unsustainable. 

“The increases in Medicaid costs would crowd out essentially everything the state does,” Polis said. “We would largely just fund schools and do Medicaid — no money for roads, no money for public safety.”

According to the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), long-term care for older Coloradans and those with disabilities is driving the increase in costs. HCPF says it makes up about 5% of Medicaid enrollment but accounts for about half of all claims.

Advertisement

The state spends about $16 billion each year on Medicaid, which was projected to grow by $630 million this year. Polis’ budget provides about half that $300 million.

Polis also increases spending on K-12 schools by $276 million, universal preschool $14 million, and public safety by $10 million, while limiting higher education tuition increases to 2.6%.

Additionally, the governor set aside $8 million to $12 million to increase the number of civil commitment beds after CBS Colorado reporting on dangerous offenders with mental health issues being released. 

“We are holding money for a supplemental in this area and working with law enforcement and legislators on the policy and hope that we can bring that forward in January or sooner,” Polis said. 

The governor cut funding for 12 of the 17 state departments, saving about $25 million in all. Public safety saw the biggest increase — about $11 million.

Advertisement

Polis’ total budget adds up to nearly $51 billion, which is about a 6% increase over last year’s budget. Of that amount, $19 billion is the general fund, which is what lawmakers have most control over and where funding for Medicaid and K-12 schools originates.

The governor’s budget is a starting point. The Joint Budget Committee will make changes to it and send its budget to the Colorado House and Senate. They will make more changes before the final budget goes to the governor for his signature.

Advertisement



Source link

Colorado

Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one

Published

on

Colorado community reels after police say driver with revoked license hits three pedestrians, killing one


A man already driving with a suspended license from a DUI is now accused of intentionally plowing into three people on a sidewalk in Colorado.

This happened near the intersection of East Wildcat Reserve Parkway and Willowbridge Way in Highlands Ranch around 10:30 a.m. Monday.

Advertisement

CBS


Witnesses say that after the crash, the driver made a U-turn, went back to the scene, slowly drove past the wreckage, then left. That allowed another witness to follow him 5.5 miles down to Daniels Park, where just 15 minutes later, 28-year-old Adam Bauserman was taken into custody.

Bauserman’s demeanor was described by deputies as “unusually quiet.” At one point, he apparently asked, “Do you know if I killed the man?”

As it would turn out, the man survived, but his girlfriend did not. Flowers are piling up at the scene of a morning walk that turned deadly.

Right now, investigators don’t believe the driver knew any of those victims.

Advertisement

“You expect to be safe when you’re walking on the sidewalk,” said neighbor Beth Chitel, who lived just yards from the crash site until she moved last month. “These are very highly trafficked pathways around here; it could have happened to any of our friends, any of our neighbors, any of our children.”

“This was a horrific scene,” said Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly.

highlands-ranch-hit-and-run-10pkg-frame-203.jpg

CBS


Thirty-five-year-old Corrine More died in the crash. Her sister tells CBS Colorado she lived in the neighborhood and was out on a walk with her boyfriend. She describes Corrine as a nursing student with a big heart who was loved by everyone who knew her, and who was beautiful inside and out.

Advertisement

Corrine’s boyfriend, 30-year-old Kyle Vasey, was seriously injured. He has undergone multiple surgeries and was described by a doctor in the affidavit as being at substantial risk for permanent disfigurement or death.

The other victim is 72-year-old Dianne Windes. The sheriff says she was walking in the opposite direction from the couple. She was also hospitalized with serious injuries.

Witnesses believe the driver who crashed into the three pedestrians did so on purpose.

“If we can prove that, we’ll certainly do that, but at this point we have no indication of that,” Weekly said.

It was thanks to a witness who followed that truck that deputies arrested Bauserman, who was driving with a revoked license after a DUI last year.

Advertisement

“Mr. Bauserman has had several revocations and suspensions of his license over the last 10 years,” Weekly said. “He should never have been on the roadway, and as a result of that, somebody is now deceased.”

adam-bauserman-dc-sheriff-1.jpg

Douglas County Sheriff’s Office


Deputies did not detect immediate signs of intoxication but are waiting on blood test results.

Right now, investigators believe Bauserman was only traveling 3 mph over the speed limit, at about 48 mph in a 45 mph zone. That will need to be confirmed in the investigation.

Advertisement

“He should never have been on the roadway, period. And so, the fact that somebody in our community has been lost in such a tragic, horrible way. How many lives have been destroyed by this selfish act?” Weekly asked.

“I want to express my sympathies to the families, and yeah, we’re here to support you as a community, and we’re by your side,” said Chitel.

Neighbor Beth Chitel started an online fundraiser for the victims.

“The last thing that the family should be having to worry about right now is the bills that are coming,” said Chitel.

The sheriff says that 15 to 20 community members stepped up to help in the aftermath of this tragedy.

Advertisement

Chitel says the community has been hurt by other recent tragedies, like the death of 13-year-old Alex Mackiewicz, who was hit while in the crosswalk on his way to school. That fatal crash happened just over a mile away from this one.

“Something really needs to be done. The community is well aware of the safety issues posed there, of course. Again, we don’t expect them on the sidewalk,” said Chitel. “We need more crosswalks; we could use more stoplights. We need more safety measures put in place because, in general, it’s really not a safe road. People speed on it.”

“It’s absolutely horrible. As the sheriff, I have done a lot to increase traffic enforcement. We’ve almost doubled the size of our traffic unit. I expect my folks to be out there and be productive and ensure the safety of our citizens. These tragedies, certainly back to back, are heartbreaking for everybody involved, it shouldn’t happen,” Weekly said.

Three families are forever changed, a community is left with questions, and the investigation is just beginning.

“We need to make sure that we do our job well, and that we get justice for all these victims,” Weekly said.

Advertisement

Bauserman is being held on charges including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

Preliminary charges Bauserman is facing include the following seven felonies and one misdemeanor:

  • Vehicular homicide
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving death
  • Failure to remain at the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury (two counts)
  • Vehicular assault (two counts)
  • Assault in the second degree – crimes to at-risk persons
  • Driving a motor vehicle with a license is under restraint (express consent refusal/DUI conviction)

These charges could change based on the results of the blood tests and additional information that is garnered through the investigation.

A judge set Bauserman’s bond at $100,000.

As the investigation continues, the sheriff’s office says anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Detective Pereira at bpereira@dcsheriff.net or call (303) 660-7537.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Colorado

Eagle Rock Ranch

Published

on

Eagle Rock Ranch


When Dave and Jean Gottenborg met as teenagers wrangling horses in Estes Park, they dreamed of one day running a ranch together. That dream fell by the wayside for decades until 2012, when the couple purchased Eagle Rock Ranch in the Tarryall Valley.

Talking about the Gottenborg’s ranch means deliberately avoiding words like “owners” and “ownership.” The couple “manage” their land — their preferred term — through the conservationist lens of thinkers like Wendell Berry and Aldo Leopold. Visitors are welcome on the land (see some basic guidelines here), and they sell their beef by the cut, box and share at their family-owned mercantile in Fairplay.



Source link

Continue Reading

Colorado

Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02

Published

on

Where to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels: TV channel, start time, streaming for Jun. 02


play

The 2026 MLB season has surpassed the quarter mark, and after each team’s first 40 games, there’s plenty of reasons to tune in all summer long.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami has already proven doubters wrong by launching 17 home runs, Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes consistently looks like the best version of himself on the mound and Milwaukee ace Jacob Misiorowski is throwing harder than any starter in the majors.

Advertisement

The MLB action continues on Tuesday as the Colorado Rockies visit the Los Angeles Angels.

Here’s everything you need to know to tune in for the first pitch.

See USA TODAY’s sortable MLB schedule to filter by team or division.

What time is Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels?

First pitch between the Los Angeles Angels and Colorado Rockies is scheduled for 9:38 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, Jun. 02.

How to watch Colorado Rockies vs Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday

All times Eastern and accurate as of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at 6:33 a.m.

Advertisement

Watch MLB all season long with Fubo

MLB regional blackout restrictions apply

MLB scores, results

MLB scores for Jun. 02 games are available on usatoday.com . Here’s how to access today’s results:

See scores, results for all of today’s games.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending