RFP for an Audit of Colorado Sports Betting

The Colorado Office of the State Auditor is requesting proposals for a performance audit of the Colorado Sports Betting Program and Fund, with proposals due October 26, 2026 and an anticipated award date of November 5, 2026.

The audit will assess the Department of Revenue's Division of Gaming on tax revenue reconciliation processes for sports betting operator submissions, compliance and patron protection activities including background investigations and inspections, and the Hold Harmless Fund established in 2021. The scope period for tax reconciliation, inspections, and investigations covers July 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026; the Hold Harmless Fund review encompasses all activity since inception. Work is estimated to run from November 5, 2026, through April 30, 2027, with fieldwork concentrated from November 5, 2026, through approximately March 1, 2027. Preliminary findings are due January 22, 2027, with a final audit report due no later than April 30, 2027. The contractor must attend an in-person Legislative Audit Committee hearing in June 2027 to present the final audit report and respond to committee questions.

All assigned personnel must comply with generally accepted government auditing standards, maintain current external peer review results, and undergo background checks and fingerprinting at the contractor's expense. Neither assigned personnel nor their household members may participate in sports betting activities during the engagement. The contractor must affirm organizational independence and disclose any prior work for the Colorado Department of Revenue.

The OSA has not established a budget or cost range; contractors must estimate required hours and fees using professional judgment. All costs, including travel, printing, background checks, fingerprinting, and secure technology expenses, must be included within the maximum proposed fee without separate reimbursement. The state will withhold 10 percent of the total contract amount pending satisfactory completion following the Legislative Audit Committee hearing. The contractor must provide 50 bound printed reports, with potential for up to 100 copies at OSA's discretion.

The inquiry deadline was October 13, 2026. Proposals must include organizational profiles, resumes of assigned personnel, work plans and methodologies, detailed compensation structures with hourly rates by staff level, delivery schedules, external peer review results, three references for similar work, and any proposed deviations from OSA's standard contract terms. Most work may be completed remotely, though some in-person work in Colorado may be required.