Who earns six-figures in state government? Here’s a list of Colorado’s $100,000+ Club

For the sake of transparency and watchdog journalism, I often request databases of government employee salaries.

Sometimes such databases can yield interesting stories and reveal who is working for us–the taxpayers.

Based on a database I obtained a few months ago, we can see who the top-earners are among Colorado state employees (aside from people who work at state colleges).

You can download the entire database I obtained by clicking on this link to a PDF document (hit Ctrl+f in the document to search for a name). 

According to the database, here are the top three members of the state’s $100,000+ Club (aside from state colleges).

3.  Keith Owen – Deputy Commissioner, Department of Education – $180,000.00

Keith Owen - Photo: Colorado Department of Education

Keith Owen – Photo: Colorado Department of Education

From his bio (scroll to bottom of page): 

Owen oversees the state’s special education programs, federal programs including Title I, support for local school districts, and accountability systems.

Owen comes to the state department from Durango School District where he served as the superintendent for three years. During his tenure in Durango, he is credited with initiating a principal professional development program for principals in the southwest portion of the state and leading a comprehensive community strategic plan that has resulted in many improvements to the school system.

 

2. Dr. Christopher Urbina – Agency Director, Department of Public Health & Environment – $215,004.00

Christopher Urbina - Photo: CDPHE

Christopher Urbina – Photo: CDPHE

From his bio:

Chris Urbina, M.D., MPH, is the executive director and chief medical officer of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. He is an associate professor of the Colorado School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Colorado School of Medicine.

Outside of the department, Dr. Urbina is a member of the Association of Teachers of Preventive Medicine, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Center for Public Health Practice Advisory Committee.

At the Department of Public Health and Environment, in addition to his role as the executive director, Dr. Urbina also is responsible for the supervision of the health-related divisions, including the Disease Control and Environmental Epidemiology Division, the Prevention Services Division, the Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division, the Laboratory Services Division, the Center for Health and Environmental Information and Statistics, and the Emergency Preparedness and Response Division. He also supervises the Office of Health Disparities.

1. Robert Hammond – Colorado’s Commissioner of Education – $235,000.00

Robert Hammond - Photo: Colorado Department of Education

Robert Hammond – Photo: Colorado Department of Education

From his bio:

Robert came to be the top leader in Colorado’s K-12 public education system by demonstrating success in city management and the banking industry. It was from there that the Wichita Public Schools in Kansas tapped him to head its administration and operations division and later serve as associate superintendent.

In 2001, he moved to the Rocky Mountain state and was the chief operations officer for the Boulder Valley School District. About five years ago, he was successfully recruited to apply his leadership talents to the state level when he was named the Colorado Department of Education’s Deputy Commissioner. Robert was then recruited as the Commissioner of Education and was officially sworn into office in May 2011.

If you see anything suspicious or concerning in the database of salaries, please send me an email to jeremy@9news.com, or you can contact me on Facebook or Twitter.

Who failed Michael Harris?

michel_harris

Michael Harris was killed two months before what would have been his second birthday. Prosecutors say it’s one of the worst child abuse cases they’ve seen.

Last week I walked around a cemetery in Adams County to pay a visit to the grave marker of Michael Harris.

It wasn’t too hard to find.

Someone left some small plastic toys on his gravestone.   I wonder who’s still thinking about him.

Not many people cared for Michael when he was alive.

His mother and grandparents were meth users, according to court documents. Michael’s mom smoked pot while pregnant and he was born with marijuana in his system.

Michael’s biological father knew of his existence, but didn’t ever meet the little guy.

Prosecutors say Michael’s case is one of the worst they’ve seen when it comes to child abuse.

Judge Chris Melonakis unleashed on caseworkers and accused them of blatantly ignoring abuse and neglect in his home.

It’s important to point out caseworkers are not the ones who killed Michael, even though Judge Melonakis says they are also directly responsible.

The man who was convicted of killing Michael is serving a 42 year prison term.  Michael’s mom is serving 16 years for knowing about the abuse, but doing nothing to stop it.

Many of the caseworker documents and investigative documents are not accessible by the public because of confidentiality laws, so it’s impossible for us to hold them accountable.

While there is oversight in place, as I reporter I’ve learned over the years you can’t count on the government to watch itself.

Agencies need public and media scrutiny, especially when a child dies while under the radar of government employees who should be protecting them.

I’m not sure if the judge’s call for a grand jury investigation will prompt a serious investigation into the Adams County child welfare office.

Perhaps an investigation will find caseworkers did everything they could, as their supervisor tells us.

At Michael’s grave site, there were several other children I recognized from our Failed to Death series who were grouped together in the kids’ area of the cemetery.

I couldn’t help but notice there was plenty of space for more.

Silence over the death of a little boy

Andres Estrada was 6 years old when he was killed. Documents say he wasn’t potty trained.

There is something suspicious going on in Federal Heights.

Or at least that’s what I’m lead to believe given the lack of transparency and the silence in the horrible case of Andres Estrada.

Before he was killed while riding his tricycle in the street, there were numerous calls to police by neighbors who complained about seeing Andres constantly riding his bike, sometimes in diapers, in the busy road.

The Adams County Human Services Department also sent caseworkers to the home based on complaints regarding neglect and no supervision.   That agency isn’t talking either as it cites privacy laws.

The silence does not mean mistakes were made in the handling of Estrada’s case before he was killed……but it certainly increases suspicion that the two agencies may be hiding something.

Tonight at 9 and 10, we’ll show you how a lack of transparency in child welfare cases makes it easy for agencies to escape accountability.

 

The top 3 quotes I hate to hear

Image

3. “That’s a personnel matter and not subject to disclosure.”

Very, very often government agencies like to protect their own to avoid embarrassment.

Often when we request information about a particular public servant who may be abusing his/her position, I’m told “Oh you can’t have that, because that’s a personnel matter.”

I’ve initially been denied expense reports and disciplinary documents based on “personnel matters.”

Scrutinizing an agency’s written policy on “personnel matters” can sometimes prompt disclosures.     Call out the bluff.

 2. “For security reasons, we can’t tell you.”

There are many circumstances in which sensitive information shouldn’t be disclosed to protect the integrity of a criminal investigation (such as a suspect’s mug shot that needs to be used in a photo-line up for witnesses).

I get that.

But some public safety agencies LOVE to use this excuse to avoid doing work.

Or they really think even the most mundane details can cause the earth to fall out of orbit.

I often hear this quote when I request video footage recorded in a public area that may contain wrongdoing.

1.  “There’s no story here.” 

Often when I’m calling on something to find out during the early stages if there really is a story behind a tip, I’ll be told by a government agency spokesperson “There’s no story here.”

Oh really?   Thanks for letting me know.  I really believe you, government spokesperson.  I guess I’ll hang up now and move on.

In MANY cases when I hear “There’s no story here,” there’s a good chance there is something worth looking at.   I’ll bypass the spokesperson and work other sources and documents to make sure.

And sometimes the quote “There’s no story here,” could be a great quote when something is eventually uncovered.

BLOG: On Parker Water Spending

Taxpayers and people who pay a public utility often struggle when writing out checks they have no choice to write-out.

This is why looking at government spending, even on the micro level, is crucial.  Budgets in homes across the country are tight, so we expect the government to tighten its spending.  The small things, like numerous lunch meetings, can add up.

One dollar may be a drop in the bucket for agencies like Parker Water District, but for those who’ve been hit hard by this economy, that one dollar means so much.

This is why I chose to look at credit card expenses within the Parker Water District.   Often credit card spending can reflect the attitude within a public agency of how well public dollars are treated.

It’s easy to swipe a credit card without thought, but when it comes to public money, public officials should be thinking long and hard about how their constituents would feel about the purchase, no matter how big or small.

If most of us in this country can’t afford a $560 detail job on our cars, should a government official get that perk?

In my Monday night story, you heard District Manger Frank Jaeger refer to Parker Water as a “multimillion dollar corporation.”   It’s easy to say that when your customers have no choice but to pay the “corporation” or have their services cut-off.

In reality Parker Water is not a technically a business.  It’s a government agency created by the state legislature years ago and is considered a political subdivision of Colorado.  It’s beholden to the rate-payers and to the tax-payers.

As water rates rise and homeowners see their taxes go up at the discretion of the “corporation,” the questions must be raised…..is Parker Water a business, a government agency or a monopoly?  Is this good business/government sense?

While some may view my report on Parker Water spending nit picky, often among many struggling taxpayers, principle has a value far grater than price.

Thanks for watching.

Forest Service Censors information on Prescribed Burn

Names blacked out. Names Colorado State Forestry doesn't want you to see.

When you are a government official who makes decisions that may affect the health and safety of the public, part of your job is being held accountable.  That comes with the territory of your job.

Too bad the public won’t know who is responsible for the prescribed burn that got out of control.

The Colorado State Forestry Service has blacked-out the names of government supervisors on documents relating to the prescribed burn.

Here’s the document.  On page one you’ll see the names blacked out.

The reason for the redacted names is “for security and safety reasons,” according to a spokesperson for the agency.  I have written the agency back demanding it cites specific state statute on why they are blacking out names of the supervisors.

The people who lost their homes, their property and their lives in this fire had their safety and security compromised.   They deserve to know who’s responsible for that prescribed burn.  I hope eventually Colorado State Forestry agrees.

Welfare Abuse Reaction & Blocking ATM Transactions

These state-issued welfare debit cards can be used at ATMs to withdraw cash....even in strip clubs.

Often when covering polarizing issues like welfare abuse, I’ll get emails from people who feel passionately about the subject.

I like to think my report proved to be objective when I get criticized by people who would disagree with each other:

One viewer said I didn’t focus enough on welfare recipients while another said I was too tough.

I’m glad my report has people talking.

In the mean time, I want to share with you this letter (see below) that was sent out to “prohibited” businesses.

Colorado’s Health and Human Services Department asked Chase Bank (which handles welfare Colorado Quest cards) to send letters to all liquor stores, casinos and bingo halls asking them to block welfare transactions on their property.

The letters were not sent to strip clubs because under Colorado law, strip clubs are NOT considered prohibited businesses.

It’s quite clear the technology exists to block Colorado Quest cards at specific cash machines.  This example is the letter sent to liquor stores:

 

Subject:           Restriction on the use of the State of Colorado Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) Card at Automated Teller Machines (ATM) located in Retail Establishments Licensed to Sell Malt, Vinous, or Spirituous Liquors

Dear Business Owner:

This letter is to request your cooperation in restricting the use of Colorado EBT Cards to withdraw cash from ATMs located in liquor stores within the state of Colorado. This effort is mandated by Colorado State Law. The Colorado Department of Human Services has requested that J.P. Morgan, as its EBT provider, work with liquor stores to restrict this access.

The State of Colorado Human Services Code 26-2-104 prohibits clients from accessing EBT cash benefits from ATMs in liquor stores:

“Clients shall not be allowed to access cash benefits through electronic benefits transfer service from automated teller machines in this state located in licensed gaming establishments as defined in section 12-47.1-103 (15), C.R.S. , in-state simulcast facilities as defined in section 12-60-102 (14), C.R.S., tracks for racing as defined in section 12-60-102 (26),C.R.S., commercial bingo facilities as defined in section 12-9-102 (2.3),C.R.S., stores or establishments in which the principal business is the sale of firearms, or retail establishments licensed  to sell malt, vinous, or spirituous liquors pursuant to part 3 of article 47 of title 12,C.R.S.”

J.P. Morgan has assigned a Project Manager, Mr. Todd McEwan, to assist you in the steps to take to block the Colorado EBT Card Bank Identification Number (BIN) on your ATM(s).

Please provide the following information to Mr. McEwan to enable him to take action with your ATM processor:

  • Number of ATMs physically located in your business location(s).
  • All ATM terminal Identification Numbers.
  • Name of the ATM owner/operator.
  • Contact information (phone number and address) of the ATM owner/operator.

 

If you would prefer to work with your ATM processor, please take the following steps:

  1. Contact your ATM processor.
  2. Provide your processor with the Terminal Identification Numbers for all ATMs physically located in your business.
    1. Request that your processor block Colorado EBT BIN (507681) from each ATM.
    2. Report the following information that the ATM has been blocked to Mr. McEwan for State reporting purposes:
      1. Number of ATMs physically located in your business location(s) that have been blocked.
      2. Name of the ATM owner/operator
      3. Contact information (phone number and address) of the ATM owner/operator.

 

(Note: I redacted the email and contact phone number of Todd McEwan to spare him from spam).

Softball Questions for E-470

Marsha Williams of E-470 happy at today's briefing

I have spoken to numerous people who have felt devastated and at a loss of control after receiving massive collection notices from the E-470 tolling system.

I’ve seen some collection notices as high as $13,000.

One single mother cried on the phone a couple of months ago asking me what I could do as she worried about filing for bankruptcy with a $10,000 bill.  She claimed E-470 sent notices to the wrong address for months.

So with the power of the Colorado Open Records Act, I decided to look into E-470’s budget and spending habits considering it’s constantly raising toll rates and sending extraordinary large collection notices to people.

Last November I highlighted how toll money covered massages for E-470 employees, and stays at luxury hotels for board members. 

So today I half-way expected some hard, direct questions from the Senate Transportation Committee as E-470 executives appeared before lawmakers.

The exchange was more like a chummy, friendly chat at an Applebee’s dining booth.

At one moment, I wondered if this was a planning committee for a company picnic.

Before the meeting, I even overheard two senators on the committee say they had no clue the E-470 administrators were showing up to testify today.

Perhaps I expected too much out of this hearing.

While Chairwoman Senator Evie Hudak (who should be credited for calling for the briefing) asked some direct questions, other lawmakers lobbed some pretty easy softballs that my two year old niece could have smacked out of a park.

One lawmaker asked  when E-470  was going to get a smartphone app.

Eventually, the issues of  large collection notices and massages expenses were discussed during the meeting, but quite passively.

When Senator Hudak asked E-470 Executive Director John McCuskey about the massage expenses, he scoffed at my report report while I received a middle-school smirk from Marsha Williams, another E-470 official.

I haven’t received a smirk like that since I was put in time-out by my 6th grade P.E. teacher for nailing a female classmate in the face during dodge ball (below the waist only….I should have known).

Senator Linda Newell chimed in and agreed that the massages were a legit government expense.

I left the committee meeting after watching the glad-handing between the E-470 executives and lawmakers.

It’s quite clear E-470 can afford such expenses because its revenue model is not based on taxes, but rather on tolls and fees we pay when we register our cars.

This is the argument E-470 uses when it defends its spending on things that most government agencies can’t afford.

So perhaps the quasi-public agency should be free from scrutiny from professional gadflies like myself.

Nah, just kidding.

In the end, if you drive E-470 it is still your money and if you pay registration fees, it is your money.

In the mean time, expect toll rates to rise every year.

As for E-470, no dodge balls to the face today.

I’m going to Applebee’s if they’re still open………

E-470′s Perception

E-470 is a "political subdivison of the State of Colorado."

If E-470 was such a private entity, I likely would not have been granted access to its financial records showing toll money went to massages, bonuses and trips.

What private enterprise would give such documents to an investigative reporter?

There is definitely a perception in Denver that E-470 is a 100% private company.   I thought so too when I first moved to Colorado in August.

Even E-470 describes itself as a political subdivision of the State of Colorado.  E-470 employees also drive vehicles with government license plates.

Behind the business-looking logo is a very public board that is called the E-470 Public Highway AuthorityHere they are….all of them are public officials.

The authority is subject to the Colorado Open Records Act and the Colorado Sunshine Law.   A CORA records request I filed last month yielded the financial documents from E-470.

I spent a lot of time reading through the public meetings the board has about once or twice a month.

I found, looking at board meeting notes, there has only been ONE person to comment during the public comment portion of the meetings over the past year.

I was the second one, as you’ll see in my Sunday night broadcast.

These meetings are held on Thursdays at 9 in the morning.   Any member of the public has the right to go to these meetings, make public comment, and observe.

The perception that E-470 is an absolute private enterprise may be keeping people from asking questions.

In the end, perhaps E-470 can be characterized as a quasi-government entity.

Whatever the case, the tolling agency is open to public scrutiny and beholden to the people of Denver who pay its tolls.