Finance and Procurement

The Manager of Central Collection Services (CCS) is Greg Mechem. CCS is the central account receivables function for debts owed to state agencies and departments, the Judicial Department, and institutions of higher education. These debts statutorily are assigned to CCS after initial collection efforts by those agencies and institutions are completed. CCS operates through in-house collection efforts (including direct calls, garnishments, and offsets) as well as retained counsel and collection agencies on contract with CCS.

Overview
Our main function is collection. Since 1975, we have collected over $122 million for State agencies. Below are descriptions of the "weapons" in our Collection Arsenal.

Collection Arsenal

Tax Offset - In conjunction with the Department of Revenue, we can offset debtor income tax refunds to repay debts owed to the state.  This is a powerful tool when debtors refuse to pay voluntarily, and are receiving State income tax refunds.

Wage and Employment History - As a state agency, we have access to the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment's wage and employment history database.  This assists us with finding debtors at their place of employment, as well as building a financial picture of the debtor's ability to pay.  This information is updated daily, and provides debtor earnings going back two years.
Skip Tracing - In addition to location of employment, Central Collections uses cross reference directories to locate debtors that have moved and left no forwarding address.

Credit Bureau Reporting and Referencing - All accounts received are given a 30 day "window of opportunity" to pay in full.  If this does not occur, then the account is reported to both Experian and TransUnion credit bureaus.  By reporting the debtor to the credit bureaus, if that individual ever wants to purchase something, or borrow money, then he/she will be forced to pay his debt to the State FIRST.  In addition to reporting, Central Collections, as a part of its skip tracing department, mentioned previously, also refers to both credit bureaus on where debtors are, and their ability to pay debts owed to the state, or political subdivisions.

Demand for Payment Letter Series - Our demand for payment letters are carried on our government stationary.  As such, this is a very effective and powerful tool in the collection of state and political subdivision debts.  As with receiving notices from the IRS, receiving notices from the State of Colorado brings immediate attention from the debtor in receipt of our notice.  Many of our debts are collected via this letter series.

Aggressive Phone Collection - In concert with our letter series, is phone contact with all debtors by our collection staff.  Our collection staff brings a collective experience of over 80 years of work in this industry.   Their technique is to demand payment in full.   Coupled with this are the items described previously, which assists, them with knowledge of how much a debtor earns, where they work, and other credit information.  Each collector is motivated by an incentive program.  The more they collect for the state, the more they earn in income.

Litigation - For accounts that refuse to pay, Litigation will be utilized.  In exchange for a slightly higher commission rate, you, the customer, are not required to pay any court costs throughout the legal process, ever.

Other Services

Assistance - We will be glad, at your request and convenience, to review your internal accounts receivable and collection efforts before referral to our agency.  We can offer our experience and expertise to make your agency's efforts as effective as possible.

Write Off - For state agencies, where accounts are uncollectible, we will recommend to the agency, and then to the State Controller and the State Treasurer, that certain accounts be written off.  Reasons for write off include skips that cannot be found after exhaustive search; hardship due to indigence; balances under $25.00, etc.

Low Commission Rate - Currently, our commission rate is 15% of what we collect. This is very low as compared with other collection services.  And, there is never a flat fee for doing business with us.  Our only compensation is generated from what we collect.

How to Contact Central Collections Services
You may contact us by mail, phone or e-mail at: Central Collection Service, Division of Finance and Procurement , 633 17th Street, Suite 1530, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 866-6560 or 1-800-221-2297.You are encouraged to reference the Staff Directory for a detailed listing of staff members, their direct phone numbers and e-mail addresses.