System Engagement
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!
Contact Email
Commission Advisory Council
Enterprise Board
House Bill 25-1154 created a Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise. The Enterprise 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.
Board Members
Julie Riddle
First term expires June 30, 2028
Daryl Branson
First term expires June 30, 2028
John Schoder
First term expires June 30, 2028
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Meeting Materials
Enterprise Board
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.
Email: enterprise.cddhdb@state.co.us
Commissioners
You can contact the Commissioners at commission.ccdhhdb@state.co.us
Dr. Julie Basler
Represents: Hard of Hearing
Jill Bradshaw
Represents: Parents
Rebecca Herr
Represents: Late-Deafened
Jennifer Hills
Represents: Professionals
Jordann Hoelzel
Represents: Auxiliary Service Providers
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Represents: DeafBlind
VACANT
Represents: Deaf
Meeting Materials
Commission Advisory Council
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.
Interested in joining?
If you are interested in joining any listed board, Commission or advisory group, please reach out to outreach.cddhhdb@state.co.us.
Grant Program
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:
- Community-based planning to improve coordination and access to services
- Start-up programs that are currently lacking at the state level
- Support for existing services and programs
- Communication or environmental access services (for exceptional cases, as this funding is not intended to supplant organizations’ ADA obligations)
- Other projects that meet the overall purpose of the grant program, as determined by the grant selection subcommittee.
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.
Eligibility and Timeline
Eligibility
Organizations eligible to apply for funding are identified in statute (C.R.S. §§ 26-21-107.7) and are strictly limited to:
- private nonprofit or not-for-profit organizations
- local governments (municipal, county, etc.)
- state agencies
- state-operated programs
Timeline
| 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 |
Application Packet
All grant materials are available via Vendor Self Service.
This Year Grant Awardees
Fiscal Year 25-26 Grant Awardees
A total of fifteen applications were received for the 25-26 grant application cycle.
Three applications were approved for funding totaling $50,000.
Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
$10,566
ASL Access: Enhancing Pediatric Care for Deaf/Hard of Hearing Children
Paragon Service Dogs
$10,000
Building Access and Backing Hearing Service Dog Partnerships for Colorado’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Rocky Mountain Deaf School
$29,434
Toddler and Early Literacy Program
Grants Program Contact:
Email: grants.cddhhdb@state.co.us
Past Grant Recipients
Fiscal Year 2024-25
- Colorado Cross Disability Coalition
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
- The Resource Exchange
- Your Hearing Dog, Inc
Fiscal Year 2023-24
- Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Colorado Environmental Film Festival
- Hearing the Call Colorado Project
- Image Reborn
- Mesa County Libraries Foundation
Fiscal Year 2022-23
- Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Disabled Resource Services
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Family Voices Colorado
Fiscal Year 2021-22
- Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Colorado Hands & Voices
- Family Voices Colorado
- Marion Downs
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2020-21
- Colorado Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
- Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind (postponed to FY 2021-22)
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2019-20
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Denver Chapter
- Helen Keller National Center (postponed to FY 2021-22)
- Rocky Mountain Medical Reserve Corps of Colorado
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2018-19
- Colorado Hands & Voices
- Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Colorado Springs Chapter
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2017-18
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Feel the Beat
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Colorado Springs Chapter
- Northwest Colorado Center for Independence
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2016-17
- Colorado Council of International Reading Association
- Colorado Deaf Senior Citizens Coalition
- Deaf Overcoming Violence through Empowerment
- Educating Children of Color
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Colorado Springs Chapter
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Denver Chapter
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Western Colorado Chapter
Fiscal Year 2015-16
- Association of Late Deafened Adults-Boulder
- Colorado Council of International Reading Association
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Colorado Springs Chapter
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Western Colorado Chapter
- Helen Keller National Center
- Mental Health Center of Denver
Fiscal Year 2014-15
- Aspen Camp of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
- Disabled Resource Services – Ft. Collins
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Western Colorado Chapter
- Helen Keller National Center
- The Independence Center
Fiscal Year 2013-14
- Colorado Association of the Deaf
- Colorado Hands & Voices
- Rocky Mountain Deaf School
Fiscal Year 2012-13
- Aurora Public Schools
- Center for Independence-Grand Junction
- Colorado Families for Hands and Voices
- Colorado Public Television CPT12
- Hearing Loss Association of America – West. Colorado Chapter
- Helen Keller National Center
Fiscal Year 2011-12
- Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC)
- Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Colorado Families for Hands and Voices
- Hearing Loss Association of America – Western Colorado Chapter
- The Independence Center (Colorado Springs)
- Rocky Mountain PBS
Fiscal Year 2010-11
- Colorado Hands and Voices
- Independent Life Center, Inc.
- Sertoma Club of DTC
- Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services in Disability Services at CU-Boulder
- Marion Downs Hearing Center Foundation (MDHC)
- Dove Advocacy Services for Abused Deaf Women & Children
- Aspen Camp of the Deaf & Hard of Hearing
Fiscal Year 2009-10
- Colorado Hands and Voices
- Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind
- Independent Life Center, Inc.
- Disabled Resource Services