Auditors: CO school construction not prioritized

Auditors say a Colorado has spent more than $1 billion in school construction projects, but a board overseeing the spending has not identified critical needs to prioritize the spending.

An audit released to state lawmakers Tuesday found that only a quarter of 70 schools identified as being in the worst condition have received grant funding since 2009.

Lawmakers created the Public School Capital Construction Assistance Program in 2008 to help the infrastructure needs of school districts and other public education organizations. A board was also established to oversee and award the grants.

So far, the board has distributed $1.1 billion for 211 construction projects. The state has funded $759 million of that, while districts have spent about $330 million in matching funds.