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Feds question millions in state spending on homeland security

The Associated Press
Aspen, CO Colorado

DENVER ” Government auditors on Thursday questioned the way Colorado used $7.8 million in federal homeland security money and said the state’s oversight and internal controls were inadequate.

A report by the federal Homeland Security Department’s inspector general recommended that the department review the $7.8 million and “disallow” improper spending. It wasn’t immediately clear if that meant the state might have to repay any of the money.

State officials called a news conference for later Thursday to respond to the findings. The report said state officials disputed the conclusions about questionable spending but generally agreed with the other findings.



All the spending in question was in fiscal 2003 and 2004. The items included $3.9 million for a radio system, more than $3 million in transfers among grant programs, $250,000 in construction for the Denver and West Metro fire departments and $230,000 in consulting fees.

The report recommended that federal officials monitor Colorado’s program and help make improvements.