Who is the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council?
The Council works to create the individual, community and systems level conditions that allow people with IDD the ability to achieve their vision of a meaningful life. Of our 24 members, 15 are people with IDD, their family members or caregivers and nine are federally required subject matter experts from state agencies and nonprofit organizations. Members represent a range of experiences across Colorado and are recruited, interviewed and approved by the Council and submitted to the Governor’s office for appointment.
We are part of a national network of 56 councils established by the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (the DD Act). Councils were signed into federal law in 1970 and the Colorado Council was established in 1977. To read more about our history visit our website at https://coddc.org/history/
As a federally mandated body under the DD Act, we are nonpartisan and promote and support advocacy, systems change and capacity building for people with developmental disabilities and their families. As a federally-funded program, we do not lobby but we do educate, advocate and advise lawmakers. We also fund research, education, outreach and systems change projects. For a list of our 2026 Council priorities visit https://coddc.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/CODDC-Legislative-Priorities-2026-1.pdf (PDF).
In Colorado we are a Type 1 transfer agency, which means we make program and policy decisions independently, while receiving administrative support from the Department of Human Services for our staff, who report to the Council.
Still have questions, or want to learn more about us? Let’s start the connection via email at ColoradoDDCouncil@gmail.com.
We are grateful to our dedicated followers who have been here and extend a warm welcome to the newest. We hope you stay connected as we work together towards a more inclusive Colorado.
