A 20-year-old motorcycle safety training program run by the state may no longer be needed because there are numerous programs offered in the private sector and because it has “serious” management problems, a state audit released Monday said.
The audit recommended the Colorado Department of Transportation consider ditching its Motorcycle Operator Safety Training program, which subsidizes tuition for military members and Colorado residents and pays for many motorcycle training schools.
In 1990, there were only five motorcycle safety training schools and 30 instructors on the Front Range, the report said. Now, there are at least 35 training sites where at least 20 schools and 165 instructors teach courses across the state.
The department said it would consider discontinuing the program, which has had total revenue ranging from about $640,000 to $790,000 over the last five years. The number of students served by the program has dropped 24 percent since 2009 to 9,100.
But even if it continues the program, the department must rectify serious weaknesses in its contracting with private motorcycle safety programs and in how it monitors the schools, the audit said.
Private contractors have frequently sought and received reimbursement for items not agreed to in contracts, ranging from a $30 purchase of paint to an $18,000 purchase of motorcycles, the report said.
The audit also noted that some contractors do not appear to be passing on the $70 state tuition subsidy to students as is required, instead setting their tuition prices for Colorado residents the same as everyone else.
Finally, the audit reported the department does not do a good job of making sure schools and instructors meet minimum qualifications. The report said seven of 165 instructors did not have motorcycle endorsements as required by law.
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626 or thoover@denverpost.com
