We did it! Another legislative session has come and gone here in Colorado, and the Developmental Disabilities Council is celebrating the hard work of our council members, community partners, and elected officials this season. Colorado lawmakers had a wildly busy session this year, with more than 700 bills introduced into the State Legislature before the session wrapped up on May 8th! 

Disability equity and inclusion were major conversation topics at the Capitol this year: from increasing access to prescription drug labels and public meetings, to housing accessibility, to knocking down access barriers to running for public office. We are excited to say that our elected officials worked hard to advocate for the rights of Coloradans with all types of disabilities, and their communities, in 2024. 

The Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council (CDDC)’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee monitored 19 bills over the course of the legislative session. Of these 19, the Council actively supported and advocated for 9 disability-focused bills, and closely monitored an additional 10. Of the 19 bills the Committee was tracking, 11 bills were passed by the General Assembly and sent off to the Governor’s desk. Multiple Council members boldly provided testimony on a few key bills, and also advocated alongside our community partners across the state, as a key part of this work. 

Some of the bills we were excited to see pass through the legislature this year included:

• HB24-1360 – Establishing the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office

This exciting bill creates the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, which will serve as a public resource on disability issues, concerns, and barriers for all Coloradans! This office will also work to knock down barriers to inclusion across State agencies, provide recommendations to the Governor, and will oversee the Disability Funding Committee. 

• SB24-15 – Advancing News Access for Consumers Who Are Print-Disabled

If signed by the Governor, this bill will increase access to state-based news sources for people who have difficulty reading printed words and information. It will also provide support, resources, and training to State agencies and staff on providing accessible, audio-based, information and working with Coloradans who are print-disabled. 

• HB24-1063 – Addressing Abbreviated School Days

House Bill 1063 will require schools and school districts to create (and implement) policies that provide clear definitions of abbreviated (or short) school days, and how these days impact students with disabilities. The bill will also require increased documentation and reporting measures of abbreviated school days for kids with disabilities. 

• HB24-1342 – Test Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities

In a win for licensed professionals in Colorado, this bill will make it easier for people with disabilities to receive accommodations on licensing exams. Now, test takers will not need to undergo a diagnostic exam or psychological assessment each time they take a similar standardized test.

• HB 24-1322 – Medicaid Coverage Housing & Nutrition Services

Lastly, the DD Council was excited that HB 1322 passed through the state legislature this year! If signed by Governor Polis, this bill will require the State’s agency for Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to conduct a study to explore the feasibility of getting federal support to provide nutrition, housing, and support services to Medicaid members in Colorado to support their health-related social needs. Health related social needs are needs that all humans have that impact our ability to stay healthy and happy – and we approve of supporting these needs in communities across the State. 

While major strides for disability equity and inclusion came out of the 2024 session, it wasn’t all good news. This year the Developmental Disabilities Council testified, alongside community partners, in support of two particular bills that sadly did not pass. We believe that these bills would have expanded disability rights and protections across the State, and we are committed to continue to advocate for these issues. 

Our big losses were: 

• SB24-136, The Uniform Guardianship & Conservatorship Act, which sought to replace the Uniform Guardianship and Protective Proceedings Act (originally passed in 2001) and expand the rights of people living under guardianship or conservatorship. Colorado lags behind in updating its guardianship laws and advancing less restrictive alternatives like Supported Decision Making, a viable and possible option that many families do not know about and do not learn about from medical and legal professionals that still tend to offer guardianship first.

and 

• HB24-1167, Prohibit School Seclusion, which would have prohibited the use of seclusion on students in Colorado schools, required the state to amend current rules and policies on school seclusion, and required the State to maintain resources on the impacts of school seclusion on students. The Council has been working on eliminating the use of seclusion and restraints in Colorado schools for more than 10 years, and will continue to support advancing better policy solutions to allow students with disabilities to access education free of outdated seclusion practices.

Additionally, the Council strongly supported HB24-1168, which took aim at increasing access to public meetings by making it easier for members of the public to engage in public meetings virtually, and making it easier to request auxiliary aids and services (like American Sign Language interpretation, closed captioning, or transcripts). This bill was introduced with strong support, but sadly did not make it out of committee. 

Although the lawmaking season has officially wrapped, our staff, council members, and community partners are still hard at work advocating for increased policy protections and inclusion for Coloradans with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our Legislative and Public Policy Committee is currently working with our Planning and Grants Committee, and Council Staff, to establish our policy and advocacy priorities for the remainder of 2024, and has already committed to working on accessible voter education and outreach this summer and fall.  As we move through this critical election year, the Council is committed to ensuring that all Colorado residents who are able and willing to vote are able to participate and understand the electoral process. We hope you will join us on this journey. 

As the Developmental Disabilities Council continues to grow and expand, we are excited to see what the future holds. Thank you for being an integral part of our community. We could not do this work without you! 

In Community, 

Kristina Ericson – Policy Advisor & Partnership Liaison