DENVER—No matter how well Colorado may be spending its $2 billion in federal stimulus money, it’s doing a lousy job answering public questions about how recovery spending works, a state oversight board said Wednesday.
The dozen-member board—set up by Gov. Bill Ritter to make certain stimulus money is spent properly—brainstormed ideas at its second meeting on what members say could be their biggest challenge: Letting the public know where its money goes.
From a recovery Web site with little information, even a simple “frequently asked questions” listing, and no state employee charged with letting folks know what is going on, the Economic Recovery Accountability Board agreed outreach is its first task.
Members combed through the state’s recovery Web site, which includes a video of the governor but not much else. The panel also for the first time heard from a standing-room-only crowd made up mostly of consultants wanting to know more about how businesses qualify for stimulus spending.
“We can’t rely on the Web site for outreach and interaction,” said Don Elliman, Colorado’s economic development director and chairman of the oversight board.
Elliman said state officials would plan a statewide tour in coming months to talk to citizens. The inevitable top question, he joked: “How do I get my hands on this stimulus money?”
It was a snarky joke but an apt one. Board members say people with worthy projects need to find out how to apply for money. The state has started spending the money, with 48 transportation projects worth a combined $339 million already approved. But many businesses aren’t sure where to go.
“We are just telling people to hold off until we can set something up,” said Doug Young, district policy adviser for Sen. Mark Udall. Young said Colorado’s congressional delegation needs the state’s help to answer the public’s questions.
Ideas for better communication were many. Board members discussed a “Jobs-O-Meter” on the state Web site so people know what jobs are created. A one-stop shop for submitting questions. Even using social networking tools such as Twitter to help people follow spending.
“This is a stimulus package for everybody. So everybody could have a question,” said board member Andre Pettigrew, director of the Denver Office of Economic Development.
The public pleaded for help.
“Make it easy for people to find the information, please,” said Henry Kyle, a lobbyist who said his clients are desperate to know more but don’t know who to ask. “Try to keep humanity connected to all this.”
Board members cautioned the audience not to expect too much. The $787 billion stimulus law includes few dollars for states to communicate how it’s being spent.
“We’re not going to be overloaded with bodies,” Elliman said.
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