News - Local
Abandoned families hitting the jackpot in Cripple Creek
Posted: Oct 22, 2009 3:33 AM by Bea Karnes
Updated: Oct 22, 2009 3:33 AM
El Paso County has collected nearly $95,000 from "Deadbeat" parents who didn't have enough money to pay child support, but did have enough to gamble in Cripple Creek.
A state law requires that casinos check a database for unpaid support payments before paying winnings of $1,200 or more. "This is just another tool that El Paso County and counties throughout the state of Colorado are able to utilize to assist families toward self-sufficiency," said Commissioner Sallie Clark, who also serves as liaison to the Department of Human Services. "While it is a small portion of the total amount due to El Paso County families, it all adds up. Most importantly, this makes a tremendous difference to the families who are finally able to receive some financial support. Child support is focused on assuring that parents are individually responsible for their children by providing needed financial sustenance, thereby helping to give kids a safe and secure environment in which to live."
As of September 2009 in El Paso County, there was a total of $156 million due in back child support.
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