The significant increase in funding will support Colorado’s disability community by improving the application process for various benefit programs.
(DENVER) — The Colorado Disability Funding Committee (CDFC), now housed in the recently established Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), is thrilled to announce $2 million in available funding through Disability Benefit Application Assistance Grants. Both non-profit organizations and county human services agencies are encouraged to apply. Funding will be awarded to organizations to provide application assistance to individuals experiencing a disability who are seeking benefits including but not limited to: Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), and Medicaid.
The $2 million in funding available is a 300% increase from the $500,000 CDFC released last year. This funding cycle follows a study conducted by AAA State of Play, which ranked Colorado as the best state in the nation for people with disabilities.
“This grant opportunity reflects our Administration’s unwavering commitment to empowering Coloradans with disabilities to achieve independence and thrive,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “We are excited to see the meaningful impact organizations across the state will make by streamlining the application process and expanding access to valuable programs.”
“We recognize that our community needs and deserves more funding, so we’ve raised the bar to create more pathways to opportunity,” said CDOO Director, Danny Combs. “The leadership of the CDFC has created a wonderful funding pathway for our community to have the liquidity to fund their programs and resources for the entire disability community”
The call for applications is now open and will close on January 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CDOO is hosting virtual office hours on the following dates. Interested organizations are encouraged to attend and ask questions:
- Friday, December 27 at 1 - 2 p.m. - Friday Office Hours Zoom Link
- Thursday, January 2 at 12 - 1 p.m. - Thursday Office Hours Zoom Link
Funding for these grants is generated from the $25 fee on the historic black, red, blue and green mountain license plate backgrounds, as well as the rights to unique personalized license plate configurations reserved by the CDFC. In 2021, The CDFC reintroduced three previously retired Colorado license plate backgrounds and allocated the sales revenue to fund this grant. The three reintroduced license plates feature the word COLORADO in white lettering on solid blue, red, and black backgrounds based on the 1914, 1915 and 1945 Colorado license plates.
About The Colorado Disability Funding Committee (CDFC) The Colorado Disability Funding Committee is made up of 13 Governor-appointed members, with the requirement that at least seven members must identify as living with a disability or have first-hand experience working with someone who does. Members oversee the distribution of grant funds which are used to invest in new and innovative initiatives working to increase the quality of life and independence of Coloradans with disabilities, like assistance for programs such as Social Security Disability Insurance and Medicaid long-term support services.
About The Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO)
Established by HB24-1360 in 2024, the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) is the point of contact for state agencies, private sector organizations, and the public to advance the integration and inclusion of the disability community. CDOO sits at the intersection of policy development and implementation, and HB 24-1360 ensures that CDOO leadership continues to advise the Governor and his team on disability policy, ensure cross-agency collaboration and provide funding through the CDFC to disability organizations and businesses.
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