By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
By order of Sheriff Darren Weekly, Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in place for unincorporated areas of Douglas County. Ordinance No. O-012-004 restricts open fires, open burning and the use of fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Douglas County.
Learn how Douglas County supports neighbors in need while protecting taxpayer dollars
Posted on January 21, 2026 2026Health and Human ServicesNews and Events
You’ve likely been hearing a lot in the news about fraud related to public assistance programs, such as food and childcare assistance. Keep reading to learn how Douglas County Human Services supports families in need, while safeguarding every taxpayer dollar.
When residents face unexpected hardship, state and federal programs such as food assistance (SNAP), medical coverage, childcare support, and temporary financial aid provide an essential safety net. As the local administrator of these programs, Douglas County Human Services is committed to delivering this support accurately, fairly, and with strong accountability – starting from the moment someone applies for assistance.
Every public assistance application in Douglas County undergoes a thorough review. Trained eligibility technicians verify information, conduct interviews when required, and apply federal and state regulations using professional judgment rather than relying solely on automated systems. This careful process helps ensure benefits are issued correctly from the start.
Douglas County also uses some of the most rigorous quality control practices in Colorado. A portion of every eligibility worker’s caseload is routinely peer reviewed, and proactive pre-certifications are conducted by the investigations team when information appears questionable. These early checks help prevent errors and improper payments without delaying benefits for eligible residents.
Cases that require further review are referred to the Program Integrity team and assigned within 48 hours. Unlike many jurisdictions where investigations can take years, most Douglas County investigations are resolved within a few months. As a result, Douglas County consistently ranks among the top-performing large counties in the state, with error rates frequently between 0% and 4%.
Investigations focus on fact-finding, not punishment. Many cases involve unintentional errors that are corrected through education and collaboration with applicants. In 2025, only 66 of 275 investigated cases involved intentional misrepresentation, representing less than 0.1% of the approximately 45,000 residents receiving public benefits. Through Nov. 2025, more than $246,000 in improperly issued funds were recovered.
Like all public benefit programs, Douglas County closely monitors childcare assistance to ensure integrity while maintaining access for families in need.
In 2025, 13 childcare benefit cases were investigated in Douglas County. Of those cases, nine were found to be fraudulent, resulting in one criminal filing and $66,240 in recovered funds through November 2025.
By pairing strong oversight with empathy and professionalism, Douglas County protects public resources while ensuring neighbors receive the help they need to thrive.
Learn more: Preventing Public Benefit Fraud – Douglas County
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