Author: Nico Brambila
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Unsustainable: How Colorado’s Medicaid spending exploded
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The state’s Medicaid program — which covers about one in four Coloradans — is poised for its largest single-year jump in at least two decades, with officials proposing a $2.3 billion increase, even as lawmakers face a $1.5 billion budget shortfall. The data shows Medicaid enrollment has grown steadily, while spending has increased far more…
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Marrero argues DPS board’s outside counsel policy undercuts superintendent’s role
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Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero argued during a discussion of the request-for-proposal process that the board’s policy allowing independent counsel conflicts with district policy designating him as its sole employee. The new policy was in response to Marrero’s early contract extension in May, which was filtered through the district’s general counsel, Aaron Thompson. Thompson…
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DPS braces for budget uncertainty as state funding questions loom
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The uncertainty over what state legislators will do when they begin hashing out the state budget later this month has Denver Public Schools (DPS) officials worried. DPS Chief Financial Officer Chuck Carpenter warned the board of education Thursday that if the state doesn’t come through on its promises or if funding is cut, it will…
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Denver schools’ legal chief appears unsure about ICE warrants as board weighs new immigration policy
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Denver’s school board is considering a major policy amendment that would consider all district properties “safe zones” by requiring a judicial warrant for federal immigration agents to interact with students. If passed by the board, Denver Public Schools General Counsel Aaron Thompson’s office would be tasked with verifying whether a warrant is valid under the…
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Measles outbreak prompts 80 exclusions at Broomfield schools
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Eighty unvaccinated students and staff at Broomfield middle and high schools are not allowed to attend class in the wake of a measles outbreak, state health officials confirmed Tuesday. The majority of the exclusions are students, but they also include several staff members, Hope Shuler, a spokesperson with the Colorado Department of Public Health and…
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DPS board considers policy designating schools as ‘safe zones’ from immigration enforcement
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The Denver school board discussed a major policy amendment that, if passed, will designate all district properties as “Safe Zones” and “Sensitive Locations.” In practical terms, the proposed policy amendment would restrict federal immigration agents from interacting with students and staff at school without a judicial warrant. District policy already bans U.S. Immigration and Customs…
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Colorado declares measles outbreak after third case linked to Broomfield school
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An unvaccinated Adams County child who tested positive for measles is tied to a case from Broomfield High School last month, leading state health officials to declare an outbreak. Colorado has four measles cases to date, amid a national outbreak. The other cases are in Broomfield and Arapahoe counties. The latest case, state officials said,…
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Federal audit finds $77.8M in improper Medicaid payments for Colorado autism therapy
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Colorado’s Medicaid payments for a therapeutic program for individuals with autism increased 172% in four years, prompting a federal audit by the Office of the Inspector General. Auditors found Colorado made $77.8 million in improper Medicaid payments for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) to children. ABA is a therapeutic approach that centers on managing symptoms by…
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Broomfield High School keeps 26 students out after confirmed measles case
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After state officials confirmed a measles case last week at Broomfield High School, 26 students are not allowed to attend class, the district said Monday. On Friday, school officials requested students who are not vaccinated against measles to not attend class. “In order to attend school, you must present proof of measles immunity,” Broomfield High…
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As measles cases rise nationally, Colorado braces for imported infections
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Colorado has had just one measles case this year, but that doesn’t mean Dr. Michelle Barron sleeps well at night. With spring break around the corner, Barron worries out-of-state travelers will bring more than their luggage to the Centennial State. “My big worry right now is DIA (Denver International Airport), said Barron, senior medical director…
