Prison-work program facing difficulties

DENVER – Colorado prisons are making profits from charging inmates for phone calls and other personal items, but they’re struggling to break even from shops run by inmate labor to make furniture and other goods, according to a state audit.

The audit released Tuesday examined a division of the state prison system called Colorado Correctional Industries, which employs 16,000 inmates at 37 shops with the goal of providing them job training. Auditors said the small profits at those shops are a concern because CCI is intended to be financially self-sustaining and is supposed to partially reimburse the state for incarceration costs.

The shops inmates work at include manufacturing, where prisoners produce goods such as office furniture, license plates and state flags. Inmates also work at cow and buffalo dairies and do fruit and vegetable farming.

Health exchange faces scrutiny

DENVER – Colorado’s health insurance exchange is getting more scrutiny at the state Capitol.

The Senate voted Tuesday to give final approval to two bills to increase oversight of the quasi-public exchange, Connect For Health Colorado.

One of the bills orders state auditors to take a closer look at how the exchange operates. The measure is a priority for Republicans who have newly taken control of the Senate. Democrats opposed the measure last year, but are supporting it this year. The bill passed 35-0.

The other bill requires lawmakers to approve personnel bonuses before the exchange awards employee bonuses. That measure passed 24-11, with some Democrats in favor and others saying the bill is micromanagement.

Both measures now head to the Democratic House.

Interior on track for sage-grouse

DENVER – Interior Secretary Sally Jewell has reiterated the federal government will decide whether the greater sage-grouse should get protected status despite legislation attempting to block such a listing.

In a letter to Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper and Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead released Tuesday, Jewell said the government is bound by court order to make a decision by Sept. 30.

She says the Interior Department still plans to work with states to develop conservation plans for sage-grouse habitat.

A bill passed by Congress last month and signed into law by President Barack Obama included a provision barring money from being spent on rules to protect the bird.

Hickenlooper’s spokeswoman says the governor is committed to helping preserve the sage-grouse without federal protection.

Associated Press