Colorado's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, also known as Colorado Works, provides public assistance to families in need. Under Colorado Works, applicants who are either pregnant or have at least one child, and who meet other eligibility requirements, can receive monthly basic cash assistance (BCA) payments, help with emergency household expenses, and/or services such as counseling and training. All aspects of the Colorado Works Program are designed to assist customers in becoming self-sufficient and terminating their dependence on government benefits by promoting job readiness, marriage, and work.

The Colorado Works Program operates in all 64 counties, and is delivered locally through each county's department of human or social services. Each county department has the ability to determine how best to administer the program in their area, so long as it meets the minimum criteria set forth by the State. Among the options available to these departments is the flexibility to develop policies, implement procedures, and even contract for program functions with other providers in the region.

Although each one of Colorado's counties does have the autonomy to operate under its own policies and procedures, the State still retains a supervisory role for the Colorado Works program as a whole. Acting largely as a liaison, the Colorado Department of Human Services  (CDHS) Division of Colorado Works serves as the primary link between county departments of human/social services and the federal government on all issues related to TANF. In addition, the Division works closely with a variety of advocacy organizations, other state agencies, and even the Governor's Office on all policies associated with the Colorado Works program. 

Colorado Works program staff stand behind their mission and vision, which directs them to become the "driving force that supports all Colorado families to become safe, stable, strong and self-sufficient." In addition to offering ongoing technical assistance and training, Colorado Works Division staff are charged with allocating the State's annual appropriation of federal block grant funds to the counties, monitoring county performance, submitting reports to the federal government, revising or drafting new policies and rules, and working with the General Assembly on legislative and fiscal initiatives. Additionally, the Colorado Works Program also oversees the Promoting Responsible Fatherhood Community Access Grant, a federally funded initiative directed toward fathers and their children. All of these efforts are intended to help stabilize and strengthen Colorado's families...now and for the future.