THE ARC OF COLORADO
RESOURCES

Elizabeth Moran, Lloyd Lewis, Hanni Raley, Lori Ropa, Reenie Miles, Danielle Angotti, and Wilfred Romero

The arc Thrift Connection

More often than not, when the Denver area public hears “The Arc,” they immediately think of The Arc Thrift Stores. While the name recognition is exceptionally valuable, it’s important to understand the relationship between the local chapters of The Arc and the stores.

In the early 1960s, newly formed chapters of The Arc in the Denver metro area relied on many small fundraisers like bake sales and bingo nights to generate funding for our programs. Recognizing that a coordinated effort between the local chapters could be more effective, the Metropolitan Association for R* Citizens was formed in 1963 as a separate nonprofit organization.

A few years after their formation, one of the board members of The Arc – Jefferson, Clear Creek & Gilpin Counties attended a training in California where he observed a thrift store operation, which he thought could be successful here. This board member brought the idea back to the metro association and one short year later, in 1968, the first Arc Thrift Store (then called Value Village) opened in Denver.

Since these humble beginnings, Arc Thrift has provided millions of dollars of mission-critical funding to chapters of The Arc in Colorado’s front range communities, allowing us to collectively advocate for countless people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Please be aware that the Arc chapters in Colorado are not involved in the day-to-day operations of arc Thrift Stores. We benefit from allocations given to us by arc Thrift. This is our only operational connection.

For more information about the thrift stores, or for questions about donations of household items, please visit www.arcthrift.org or call (303) 238-JANE.

Self-Advocacy Resources

Empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to advocate for themselves.

What is Self-Advocacy?

The term self-advocate refers to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who advocate for themselves. This growing movement emphasizes their right to make their own decisions and live with greater independence and self-direction. At The Arc of Colorado, we are committed to creating and supporting opportunities for self-advocacy.

Self-Advocacy Programs and Tools

Center for Youth Voice Youth Choice

This program empowers youth with disabilities to make their own decisions and explore alternatives to guardianship. The Center provides resources for youth, families, and supporters through research, advocacy, and education.

LEARN MORE

Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Charge Documentary

This short documentary, created by filmmaker Sam Lawrence, explores the challenges, opportunities, and empowerment of self-advocacy for people with disabilities.

Sit Down with Stone

This Colorado-specific series features interviews with legislators and policy officials to help self-advocates better understand public policy. Hosted by Stone, the series aims to demystify relevant issues for the self-advocacy community.

WATCH ALL EPISODES

Colorado Services and Supports

Colorado offers a variety of programs and services for people with IDD, many of which are covered by state and federal funding, including Medicaid. Learn about eligibility and benefits:

Community Centered Boards (CCBs)

Colorado’s 20 CCBs coordinate community-based services, eligibility, and resources for individuals with IDD.

Contact Information

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Address: 303 East 17th Avenue, 7th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2993 | Fax: (303) 866-4411

LEARN MORE

SUPPORTED DECISION-MAKING

Supported decision-making is a tool that can be used in place of, or in addition to a guardianship. Supported decision-making places the person with a disability’s preferences and decisions at the center of the process. The person with the disability choses a team of individuals around them to assist them when making critical life decisions. These supporters provide information and perspectives, while respecting that ultimately, the choice is in the hands of the person with disabilities.

Please read more about supported decision-making in the following resources.

RESOURCES

Self-Determination and Supported Decision-Making [PDF]

English version

Spanish version

Colorado Developmental Disabilities Council

Supported Decision-Making In Your State

Visit this website: supporteddecisionmaking.org

2021 Senate Session SB 21-075 Support Decision-Making Agreement for Adults Disabilities

View our [PDF]

Supported Decision-Making Powerpoint S&P Global

View our [PDF]

Draft Supported Decision-Making Agreement and Information Sheet

View our [PDF]

Center on Youth Voice Youth Choice

For youth with disabilities, you have the right to make your own decisions about your life! The Center works with you, your families, and your supporters. They do research, advocacy, and teaching about alternatives to guardianship.

2024 Supported Decision- Making Summit

Click here to view more: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUkez4tB2T6BSaM8jKuENykmN6ohw0rSI

Family Resources

There are fourteen local chapters of the Arc that provide direct advocacy to families. Most chapters provide a form of educational advocacy and adult advocacy services, free of charge. In unserved counties of the state, The Arc of Colorado provides advocacy. Please contact your local chapter if you need direct advocacy assistance.

Fact Sheet Basics of Special Education

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New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline

New guidance released July 19, 2022, from the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) helps public elementary and secondary schools fulfill their responsibilities to meet the needs of students with disabilities and avoid the discriminatory use of student discipline. These newly released resources are the most comprehensive guidance on the civil rights of students with disabilities concerning student discipline and build on the Department’s continued efforts to support students and schools through pandemic recovery. These resources are also available in Spanish. Guidelines and resources for parents, teachers and students can be found on their website here:

LEARN MORE

Kinship Families Raising Children With IDD

A Grandparent’s and Other Relative’s Guide to Raising Children with Disabilities

DOWNLOAD THE FULL GUIDE

The Affordable Care Act Toolkit

LEARN MORE

Advocacy Toolkits

LEARN MORE

The Arc’s Virtual Program Library

On this site, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers can find and share on-demand activities that they can use whenever it is convenient for them in the comfort of their own homes. Service providers can also find and share resources that they can use to facilitate or deliver live, remote programming for people with IDD.

LEARN MORE

Public Education Services

Children age 3 through 21 with a disability may be eligible for special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA).

Information about special education services can be obtained from local school districts or from:

Colorado Department of Education
201 East Colfax Ave
Denver, CO 80203
(303) 866-6600 Phone
(303) 830-0793 Fax

New Special Education Resources in Spanish

See our new resources in Spanish on parents’ rights, early intervention, IEPs, and Section 504.

See Resources Here.

Colorado Services and Supports

Colorado offers a variety of programs and services for people with IDD, many of which are covered by state and federal funding, including Medicaid. Learn about eligibility and benefits:

Community Centered Boards (CCBs)

Colorado’s 20 CCBs coordinate community-based services, eligibility, and resources for individuals with IDD.

Contact Information

Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing

Address: 303 East 17th Avenue, 7th Floor, Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-2993 | Fax: (303) 866-4411

LEARN MORE

THE ARC OF COLORADO RESOURCES

Self-Advocacy Resources

What is Self-Advocacy?

Self-Advocacy Programs and Tools

Center for Youth Voice Youth Choice

Stand Up, Speak Out, Take Charge Documentary

Sit Down with Stone

Colorado Services and Supports

Colorado offers a variety of programs and services for people with IDD, many of which are covered by state and federal funding, including Medicaid. Learn about eligibility and benefits:​

Community Centered Boards (CCBs)

Colorado’s 20 CCBs coordinate community-based services, eligibility, and resources for individuals with IDD.

Contact Information

Self-Determination and Supported Decision-Making [PDF]

Fact Sheet Basics of Special Education

New Guidance Helps Schools Support Students with Disabilities and Avoid Discriminatory Use of Discipline

Kinship Families Raising Children With IDD

The Affordable Care Act Toolkit

Advocacy Toolkits

The Arc’s Virtual Program Library

Public Education Services

MENU

QUICK LINKS

CONTACT

Address: 1580 Logan Street, Suite 930 Denver, CO 80203

Phone: (303) 864-9334

THE ARC OF COLORADO
RESOURCES

Colorado offers a variety of programs and services for people with IDD, many of which are covered by state and federal funding, including Medicaid. Learn about eligibility and benefits: