Call us : 720-457-3679
Email us : office.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Call us : 720-457-3679
Email us : office.cddhhdb@state.co.us
System Engagement is the work we do with various communities, agencies, organizations and individuals that are interested in collaborating to elevate the priorities and needs of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities. System Engagement includes work on existing projects, exploration of potential opportunities, and piloting initiatives. Some of our programs such as support service providers, Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention, and Rural Communication Access Services started out as System Engagement projects!
Email: outreach.cddhhdb@state.co.us
You can contact the commissioners at commission.cddhhdb@state.co.us
House Bill 25-1154 created a Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise. The enterprise is a type 1 entity (has rulemaking authority and sets fees) and is administered by an enterprise board, which was established on June 30, 2025. The board has up to seven governor-appointed members who serve staggered three-year terms. Members may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
enterprise.cddhhdb@state.co.us
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VACANT
First term expires July 1, 2026
This advisory council is required by statute. As stated in section 26-21-104(1), C.R.S. the commission, along with the division, shall advise the enterprise and state agencies regarding the provision of services and resources for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities. All seven members are governor-appointed with the following membership requirements:
commission.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Dr. Julie Basler
Represents: Hard of Hearing
First term expires July 1, 2026
Jill Bradshaw
Represents: Parents
First term expires July 1, 2028
Rebecca Herr
Represents: Late-Deafened
Second term expires July 1, 2028
Jennifer Hills
Represents: Professionals
First term expires July 1, 2028
Jordann Hoelzel
Represents: Auxiliary Service Providers
First term expires July 1, 2026
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VACANT
Represents: DeafBlind
First term expires July 1, 2026
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VACANT
Represents: Deaf
First term expires July 1, 2026
The Division facilitates a variety of advisory councils and groups. All meetings are open to the public and posted at least 24 hours in advance. You can find information about each group as well as agendas and minutes for each.
House Bill 25-1154 created a Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise. The enterprise is a type 1 entity (has rulemaking authority and sets fees) and is administered by an enterprise board, which was established on June 30, 2025. The board has up to seven governor-appointed members who serve staggered three-year terms. Members may not serve more than two consecutive terms.
This advisory council is required by statute. As stated in section 26-21-104(1), C.R.S. the commission, along with the division, shall advise the enterprise and state agencies regarding the provision of services and resources for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities. All seven members are governor-appointed with the following membership requirements: A member who is deaf; A member who is hard of hearing; A member who is a professional working with individuals in the DHHDB communities; A member who is a parent of a DHHDB person; A member who is late-deafened; A member who is a communication access services provider for DHHDB consumers; A member who is deafblind.
The ASL Signing Community Advisory Group is made up of community members that share the lived experience of using sign language to communicate and navigate their environment.
Co-led by Wellpower, the Colorado Daylight Partnership assists local community health centers throughout Colorado in enhancing the services they offer to the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind communities.
The Community Intervener Program Advisory Group is made up of individuals who participate in the CIP, including family members, interveners, community members, and deafblind individuals. The group meets bimonthly to advise the division on how to best meet the needs of deafblind children and adults.
The DeafBlind Advisory Council (previously encoded in statute and known as the DeafBlind Citizens Council) has seven members who advise the division on deafblind needs and priorities.
The hard of hearing group is made up of community members that share the lived experience of using spoken language and listening technologies to navigate their environment.
The LCAS Advisory Group reviews program rules and procedures, and makes recommendations to the division.
Professionals Supporting DHHDB Individuals is an organizational resource network of professionals that serve deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind Coloradans. Members collaborate, exchange resources, and share organizational updates with one another. This group was formerly known as Advocacy Coalition for Equality (ACE).
The RCAS Advisory Group is a five-member group that advises the division on the priorities and specific needs of deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind people living in rural areas of Colorado.
If you are interested in joining any listed board, commission or advisory group, please reach out to outreach.cddhhdb@state.co.us.
The Grant Program was created by the Colorado legislature, and grant recipients are selected based on the recommendations of the division's Grant Program Committee. Priorities for grant funding include:
NEW! Starting in the state fiscal year 2025-2026 (July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026), the total amount of funding available to grant applicants is $50,000. Organizations are no longer limited to a single grant of $9,999 - instead, organizations may apply for funding in any amount up to $50,000.
Organizations eligible to apply for funding are identified in statute (C.R.S. §§ 26-21-107.7) and are strictly limited to:
| Annual Deadlines | Event |
|---|---|
| May 1 | Application link available |
| June 30 | Application deadline |
| July 15 | Grant Recipient Reports due for past year |
| July 31 | Subcommittee reviews all applications and makes recommendations to the Division |
| September 1 | Award announcements |
All grant materials are available via Vendor Self Service.
A total of ten applications were considered for the Fiscal Year 24-25 grant application cycle, totaling $92,690. Five applications were approved for funding, totaling $49,945.
Support For The DeafBlind Action Team
$9,999
This project will support a new functional deafblind-led group, the DeafBlind Action Team (DBAT), to promote awareness of the available resources and services, i.e., Medicaid waivers, facilitate accessible webinars and in-person events, and enhance participants' involvement in government. Costs will include facilitation of the webinars and in-person events, as well as accommodations. Support will be provided to DBAT by the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition.
Direct Victim Advocacy Program Sustainability
$9,999
This funding will provide Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment (DOVE) partial sustainability for their direct victim advocacy program with its Emergency Victim Assistance funding. The Colorado Office of Victims of Crime, which has been funding DOVE for this program, has been preparing for a 45% cut in federal funding in 2025. The Emergency Victim Assistance includes but is not limited to moving expenses, rental assistance, emergency hotel stays, utility assistance, etc.
Operations Of The Toddler Program
$9,999
The Rocky Mountain Deaf School (RMDS) Toddler Program will continue to offer personalized support and American Sign Language (ASL) resources to families who have deaf or hard of hearing children ages birth through three. The activities include development of ASL early literacy videos for take-home activities, literacy-based programming for families at home, connection with deaf community, and promotion of the Toddler Program through dissemination of printed materials and revised web page regarding the program.
Early Intervention Programming For Deaf And Hard Of Hearing Infants And Toddlers
$9,949
The main objectives of the Resource Exchange's grant project will be to 1) build capacity of the early intervention providers/facilitators who work with children with hearing differences ages birth through three, 2) make American Sign Language training available to families, and 3) purchase and disseminate deaf and hard of hearing-specific resources for deaf and hard of hearing infants and toddlers.
Start-Up Dog Training
$9,999
This funding opportunity will ensure the start-up operation of a new service dog business, Your Hearing Dog, Inc. (YHD). This will partially fund the training of YHD's initial hearing service dog with a hearing dog from a breeder and a qualified local dog trainer.
We're here to help. Reach out to our team for support, information, or to get connected with resources.