In This Issue:

• Take Action: Keep Special Education Where It Belongs
• New Resource: Medicaid vs. Medicare
• Comment Now on Proposed HCBS Waiver Amendments
• New Accessibility Service at Golden Motor Vehicle Office

Take Action: Keep Special Education Where It Belongs

Right now, Congress is considering an important bill that would keep special education oversight in the Department of Education. Now is the time to voice your support and defend special education!

Why the bill was introduced: An interagency agreement is moving functions of the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), which oversees special education programs, out of the Department of Education and to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

What the bill does: The bill, S.5046, would block this change. It would also block the transfer of functions for three other education offices.

Why it matters: Families already spend months, sometimes years, trying to get schools to follow the law. Moving OSERS could make things even more confusing and slow down help that students with disabilities urgently need.

Take action! You can use The Arc of the United States’ website to urge lawmakers to protect special education. Click here to contact your representatives.

New Resource: Medicaid vs. Medicare

Do you have questions about Medicaid and Medicare such as who qualifies, what each program covers, and how the two programs can work together?

Our advocacy team has created a free guide to help you understand the basics of Medicaid and Medicare. Through the two-page guide, you’ll learn how the programs differ and find additional resources to help build your understanding. Click the image or click here to view the Medicaid vs. Medicare guide.

Looking for more information on Colorado's Medicaid program, Health First Colorado, and how it supports people with disabilities? View our self-guided training on Health First Colorado to learn more.

Comment Now on Proposed HCBS Waiver Amendments

Share your thoughts on upcoming waiver changes and how they will impact you. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) is taking public comment on proposed amendments, or changes, to Home and Community Based Services waivers (also known as HCBS waivers).

On HCPF's webpage, you can learn more about the proposed changes for each waiver. Some of the changes relate to the implementation of ongoing Medicaid sustainability actions, which are cuts to Medicaid that stem from state budget challenges.

You can submit your comments by email, mail, phone, or fax.

• Email: HCPF_LTSS.PublicComment@state.co.us
• Mail: Dept. of Health Care Policy and Financing, 303 E. 17th Avenue, Suite 1100, Denver, CO 80203 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments 
• Phone: 303-866-3684
• Fax: 303-866-2786 Attention: HCBS Waiver Amendments

Comments on these changes will be accepted through September 4th, 2026.

This is a great opportunity to make your voice heard for the first time, or to continue raising awareness of how changes will impact the disability community. Click here for more information on the open public comment period.

New Accessibility Service at Golden Motor Vehicle Office

Did you know? This past spring, Jefferson County introduced a new curbside accessibility service, available at the Golden Motor Vehicle Office.

Through the new service, visitors can apply for or renew disability placards and plates curbside, without ever having to exit their car. The service is designed to support visitors who may otherwise have difficulty accessing the office, including people with disabilities. Please note that the Golden Motor Vehicle Office is the only office offering curbside service.

Click here to learn more about requesting and using the curbside service.