In Colorado, there are many resources for people with disabilities. From legal help to work alliances, here are the top disability support resources in the state:
Protection and Advocacy
Disability Law Colorado
Part of the National Disability Rights Network and the United States’ federally funded protection and advocacy system, Disability Law Colorado is the state of Colorado’s disability and protection advocacy agency. It helps people with disabilities in Colorado expand and defend their rights through self-advocacy groups and legal assistance.
Address: 455 Sherman St #130, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 722-0300
The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition
Colorado’s premier organization for disability rights advocacy. The Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition advocates for social justice and works to decrease policy and procedure barriers for people with all types of disabilities. They’re run by people with all types of disabilities and they specialize in ensuring physical structures are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Address: Empire Park business plaza, 1385 S Colorado Blvd Ste. 610-A, Denver, CO 80222
Phone: (303) 839-1775
The Arc of Colorado
With 14 local chapters in Colorado, the Arc of Colorado promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and development disabilities.
Address: 1580 Logan St #730, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 864-9334
JFK Partners
As a program of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s Department of Pediatrics, JFK Partners works to provide evidence-based clinical care, education, research, and active inclusion and community engagement to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.
Address: 13121 East 17th Avenue, Mail Stop C234, Aurora, CO 80045
Phone: 303-724-5266
Legal Aid Foundation of Colorado (CLS)
CLS is the only agency in Colorado that provides free legal services to low-income civil case clients. With a network of 13 offices across Colorado, CLS has provided equal access to justice to over 26,000 individuals and families in a one-year period.
Address: 1120 Lincoln St., Suite 701, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-863-9544
Protection and advocacy services in Colorado include the below free and confidential crisis intervention and counseling resources:
- Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners. Provides free, 24/7 text and phone crisis line services. Also provides the option to speak with peers and obtain follow-up support.
- Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA). Provides private and confidential statewide advocacy and support to address and prevent sexual violence.
- Colorado Crisis Services. 24/7 in-person and phone support. Walk-ins accepted at various locations across Colorado.
Aging and Disability Resources
Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC)
With 14 sites across Colorado, the ADRC for Colorado assists older adults (ages 60+) and adult people with disabilities (ages 18+) with accessing long-term services and community independence. Their specialties include caregiver support, housing, long-term care facilities, employment, and legal representation.
Address: 1129 Colorado Ave, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Phone: (970) 248-2746
Colorado Choice Transitions (CCT)
CCT is part of a five-year grant program called Money Follows the Person (MFP) Rebalancing Demonstration. Their primary goal is to facilitate the transition of Colorado’s Medicaid Program Members from nursing and other long-term care facilities to communities. Using home and community-based services and supports, CCT promotes independence while improving and supporting the transition process.
Other aging and disability resources in Colorado:
- Area Agency on Aging (AAA). Establishes a coordinated system of community-based support, counseling, and nutrition services for older adults.
Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council
As a 24-member body appointed by the Colorado governor to advise the governor and General Assembly on public policies concerning persons with developmental disabilities, the Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council advocates or systems change by promoting meaningful, person-centered participation, self-determination, and inclusion.
Address: 1120 Lincoln St, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (720) 941-0176
Division for Developmental Disabilities (DDD)
The DDD is a branch of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing. As of overseers of public health programs, they improve healthcare equity, access, and outcomes while saving Colorado residents money on healthcare.
EMPOWER Colorado
A peer-based program that offers in-person, phone, and online support, resources, education, and advocacy for families of children with mental health, social, and behavioral challenges.
Address: 801 South Yosemite Street, Denver, CO, USA
Phone: 303-361-9339
Family Voices
Run by staff with children with special healthcare needs, Family Voices works to reduce barriers in the healthcare system through policy work and systems change. Systems change for Family Voices means utilizing data, social media outreach, and serving as subject matter experts to Colorado state legislators, healthcare providers, and state agency leaders.
Other intellectual and developmental disabilities organization in Colorado:
- Office of Special Education. Administers Colorado’s Exceptional Children’s Educational Act (ECEA) and the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for children with disabilities. A resource for parents and education professionals.
- Early Intervention Colorado. Provides support and services to children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families from birth until the child’s third birthday.
Employment and Education
Employment Works
Serving over 2,800 people annually throughout Colorado, Employment Works is a program under Ability Connection Colorado. They advocate for inclusion of people with special needs in the workforce.
In collaboration with community businesses and service providers, Employment Works provide provides job placement services to people with special needs through referrals from the Division of Vocational Rehab and Ticket to Work.
Phone: 303-691-9339
IN! Colorado Initiative for Inclusive Higher Education
IN! works against society’s low expectations for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, by providing access to college education. Their key focus areas include informing prospective students, their families, and teachers on college options and tracking student outcomes.
Address: 7931 S Broadway #193, Littleton, CO 80122
Phone: 720-629-0196
Opportunities for Post-Secondary Success (OPS)
Based out of the Center for Community Partnerships in Colorado State University’s Department of Occupational Therapy, the OPS supports successful postsecondary school transitions for people with disabilities. Their wide array of programs include academic support, sleep quality promotion, assistance with executive functioning, and social integration.
Address: 201 Alder Hall, 850 S. Mason St., Colorado State University Main Campus
Phone: (970) 491-5930
School to Work Alliance Program (SWAP)
SWAP is a collaborative initiative between three organizations: the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, local school districts, and the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES). They assist young adults in transitioning from school to employment. They also work to fill the case management gap for young adults across Colorado.
Other employment resources for people with disabilities in Colorado:
- Project SEARCH High School Transition Program. Provides skills and independent-living training to eligible young people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Independent Living
Colorado Statewide Independent Living Council (CSILC)
The CSILC partners with Colorado’s nine Centers for Independent Living. Through educating the general public about independent living and advocating with elected and appointed officials, they work to promote systemic reform, remove barriers, and provide resources to people with disabilities who wish to live independently.
Address: 633 17TH ST, Denver, CO, 80202
Phone: (616) 502-4995
Independent Living Experience (ILE)
ILE works to add the human element to independent living. They do so by providing customized support services to adults desiring a life of independence in Colorado.
Personal Affordable Living (PAL)
PAL believes that people with developmental disabilities are entitled to opportunities to fully participate in their communities. They make their mission a reality by renting affordable apartments to eligible semi-independent, low-income adults with developmental disabilities.
Address: PO BOX 98, Golden, CO 80402-0098
Phone: (303) 422-5345
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