DENVER — More than a year after Denver auditors raised concerns about oversight, data management, and quality assurance with the city’s tax-funded college affordability program, a follow-up audit found that the Office of Children’s Affairs has failed to implement the bulk of recommended changes made in the original report.
Of the original eight recommendations, auditors noted that Children's Affairs, which oversees the Prosperity Denver Fund program, had only partially implemented two but had not taken steps to address the risks the other six sought to resolve.
Back in 2018, Denver voters approved a ballot measure known as Prosperity Denver, which called for a 0.08% sales tax — less than one cent on $10 — and would be distributed in the form of reimbursements to nonprofits providing scholarships to Denver students.
“Although Children’s Affairs and Prosperity Denver have made some progress with documenting procedures and training, it did not fully address all the risks associated with our original findings,” Denver Auditor Timothy O’Brien said. “Consequently, we may revisit these risk areas in future audits to ensure the city takes appropriate corrective action.”