The Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC) members are citizens of the State of Colorado. Council membership reflects the geographical diversity of Colorado. Council members are people with disabilities, family members of people with disabilities, and representatives of state agencies, nongovernmental agencies and private nonprofit groups concerned with services for people with disabilities.

Citizens of Colorado interested in applying to be members of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council apply for membership through the office of Boards and Commissions, and are appointed by the Governor. Terms begin on July 1st each year. Complete the online application or call the CDDC office for an application at (720) 941-0176.

CURRENT COUNCIL MEMBERS

Ali Thompson, Parent, Legislative Public Policy Chair

Berthoud, CO

Ali is the proud mom of a brilliant son with level one autism and a daughter with a neurological malformation called Polymicrogyria which includes diagnoses of epilepsy, IDD, and who is non-verbal.  Ali graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Criminology and has been a law enforcement officer for over 20 years.  She is currently a criminal investigator with the Colorado Attorney General's Office where she investigates abuse and neglect of at-risk individuals in facilities throughout the state.  Ali also presents local, state, and national training on communicating with people with disabilities and investigation techniques for at-risk crimes. Ali has a passion to fight for justice for our most vulnerable citizens and strives to be a voice for the voiceless.  Ali and her kids live in Berthoud.

 

Amanda Lofgren, Title XIX of Social Security Act

Angie Moss, Parent, Council Chairperson 

Centennial, CO

Angie Moss, a parent advocate, has worked in public health for over 10 years. Working towards eliminating systematic barriers for services is a big motivator in her career. She has a Masters in Public Health and is a Registered Dietitian. Angie has four amazing young adult children, one of which has a rare chromosomal deletion. He is non-verbal but has a gift of connecting with people and has a contagious laugh that has been known to take a whole room down. Angie and her husband live in Ft. Collins and enjoy an active lifestyle that includes their kids and travel. Over the years she has volunteered in various ways, at the local and state level, and appreciates how complex the disability community can be. Angie believes that those closest to the challenges are often the ones closest to the solutions and she sees accessibility being the problem rather than the disability. Angie is excited to serve on the council and to be part of bringing awareness, accessibility and inclusivity to communities and individuals.

 

Anne Patton, Immediate relative or guardian of an adult with Developmental Disability 

Bruce Cline, Parent/ Guardian

Darby Remley, Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Dawn Russell, Self-Advocate

Denver, CO 

Dina Johnson, Centers for Excellence 

Aurora, CO

MA, Training Co-Director, Information Dissemination Director, and NIRS Coordinator, is an Instructor of Pediatrics in the Department of Pediatrics, JFK Partners at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. She supports the training program with curriculum updates and is a co-instructor for CLSC 6653/6654 Key Concepts in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities 1 & 2 and CLSC 6661/6662 Leadership Dialogues 1 & 2. Her degree in eLearning Development and Implementation (MA), included preparation in the principles of universal design. She is committed to ensuring that resources are available in multiple accessible formats and in a culturally competent manner. She was selected to represent JFK Partners at the 2016 Colorado Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities led by the University of Delaware. Ms. Johnson is an enthusiastic instigator of educational collaboration and adoption of technological advances in teaching and learning. She actively scans and widely disseminates Association of University Centers on Disability (AUCD) network and community partner announcements and resources throughout JFK Partners and the community to promote awareness of the UCEDD network as a significant source of expertise. Ms. Johnson has more than 22 years of experience at JFK Partners, advising syllabus development and interactive class experiences, bringing expertise in adult learning principles and tele-training strategies. She manages JFK Partners' information system (including NIRS), tele-education/continuing education capabilities, and the JFK Partners website, listserv and social media.

Dr. Gail Lott, Education Act

Hanni Raley, Private nonprofit group

Jennifer Penhale, Parent, Guardian, Family member

Jodie Ryan, Parent

Colorado Springs, CO 

We moved here in 2017 after my husband retired from the Air Force. I have a young adult daughter with Down syndrome and I am her co-guardian/rep payee/IHSS provider. I enjoy reading, wildlife/outdoor photography, movies and my dog. I am excited to be a part of the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council and share my experiences and concerns regarding having an adult child with special needs.

 

Kara Harvey, Older Americans Act of 1965

Greeley, CO

Kristen Castor, Self Advocate

Lucinda Haro, Parent

Denver, CO

Lucinda is a native of the North Side of Denver Colorado. She is a Concorde Career College graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Surgical Technology. She has a beautiful 22 year old daughter with severe CP. This inspired her to become her full-time caregiver and has been employed by PASCO Home Health for the past 16 years. She is also a Family Liaison for the past 3 years with PASCO.Lucinda is also an advance advocate and community organizer for the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition.  She enjoys performing community outreach and is a graduate of the Advocacy program from Denver University sponsored by Colorado Cross Disability Coalition. She is very passionate about her career working with the disability community and continues to work towards the injustice and equality all Americans deserve. She has a long history striving for the rights relating to her Grandfather civil rights activists Juan Haro that fought for the equality of the Latino community in the 1970's. Lucinda lives in Henderson Colorado with her three beautiful children Estrella, Santiago and James II.

 

Milagritos Segura Cuba, Parent

Arvada, CO

Nita Chettiar, Parent, Guardian, Family member

Sara Lovato, Parent, Guardian, Family member

Susan, "Sami" Peterson, Parent

Fort Collins, CO

Tim DaGiau, Self Advocate 

Veronica Parra, Maternal and Child Health