Rocky Mountain Human Services, the nonprofit that provides services to people with developmental Denver residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities, has been at the center of controversy this year. (Photo by RJ Sangosti/The Denver Post)
The state legislature could be the next venue to hear about spending by a nonprofit that receives millions of dollars from taxpayers to care for Denver residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Colorado Cross Disability Coalition and Parents of Adults with Disabilities-Colorado are planning a Thursday press conference at the state Capitol to demand legislation for more transparency and accountability in the statewide system.
Rocky Mountain Human Services was on the two weeks ago that highlighted questionable spending that contributed to a financial crisis with the nonprofit, including about $48,000 last year for “meetings” that mostly represented food for employees “often multiple times oer week,” according to the audit. Tax money also paid for a going-away party for a staff member at a Lone Tree bar and restaurant, auditors found. The staff of about 250 received Costco memberships that cost about $18,900 last year and reimbursement for home internet services as perks, which totaled about $144,000, among their perks.
“We are horrified and outraged at the misuse of public mill levy funds highlighted by the recent Denver city audit of Rocky Mountain Human Services, a government funded Community Centered Board (CCB) serving those with intellectual disabilities,’ Colorado Cross Disability Coalition and Parents of Adults with Disabilities-Colorado said in a joint statement Tuesday.
The groups called the RMHS problems “just a small exposure of one crack in a very damaged system.” Parents and others are expected to talk about needed changes based on their personal experiences with the system.
Also on the groups’ agenda: “full investigation of records at all 20 government funded CCBs, and prosecution of guilty parties.”
The groups also want nonprofits that receive taxpayer money, such as RMHS, to have to comply with the state’s open records laws and an “end the lobbyist influence of the politics and policy.”
The press conference is at 11 a.m. in room 111 at the Capitol.
