ADVOCACYDENVER (formerly known as The Arc of Denver) is a local affiliate of the Arc of the United States and The Arc of Colorado. Our organization was founded in 1954 by parents to address the lack of access for children with disabilities to public education and in-home supports. In this issue of The Policy Perspective we will discuss statewide advocacy initiatives as well as an action taken in collaboration with The Arc of Aurora.
The Colorado Arc Network advocates for and supports the civil rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) throughout their lives. Our state and national legislative priorities and individual advocacy focus on quality education, health care, employment, and community.
Governor Polis’s proposed FY 2027–28 budget raises serious concerns for all Coloradans who rely on Medicaid, especially members of the IDD community and their families. Following reductions approved earlier in 2026, the proposal includes nearly 30 program cuts and other changes intended to save approximately $988 million, including $290 million in state General Fund savings. Although the proposal would increase General Fund support for Medicaid by $250 million, it would limit program spending growth to 4.3%, compared with the 15% increase projected under current policies. That means overall funding would rise, but specific benefits and services would be reduced or eliminated to meet the lower spending target. Proposed changes include eliminating adult Medicaid dental benefits and in-home physical therapy, and reducing long-term services and supports. If adopted, these changes would compound earlier reductions affecting providers, caregiving, community services, and DD waiver access.
Colorado’s budget challenges are real. So are the consequences of cutting the services people need to live. The Colorado Arc Network is tracking the Medicaid Commission, the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), and funding developments related to Amendment 87 and Proposition NN. We are at the table with state leaders asking difficult questions, bringing forward community concerns, and working to prevent harmful reductions. State leaders must explain what proposed savings would mean for the people affected. Success must include whether people can still get care, remain healthy, and live in their communities. As additional funding is identified, we will continue to demand full restoration of Medicaid services that have been reduced. We stand ready to help find solutions, with the protection of essential care at the center of those discussions.
The Governor’s proposal begins the budget decision-making process; it is not the final budget. The Joint Budget Committee (JBC) develops budget recommendations, and the full legislature debates and votes on the budget before it goes to the new Governor. These elected officials have the authority to make budget choices and the responsibility to understand their consequences. Their review must examine every part of the budget, including administration, supervision, and opportunities to improve program operations.
Please contact JBC members and your state senator and representative and ask them to protect essential Medicaid services. Tell them about a support you or your family relies on, what it makes possible, and what would happen if it were removed. A few sentences in your own words are enough. Learn about the budget process · Find your legislators. We can support you in preparing stories and testimony.
Together, we must insist that Colorado’s budget protect people’s health, dignity, and ability to live in their communities. We must remind legislators and our state agency leadership that we cannot balance the state budget on the backs of people with disabilities and their families.
ADVOCACYDENVER and The Arc of Aurora Collaboration
The Arc of Aurora and ADVOCACYDENVER, took issue with the new Sunshine Law disclosure notice included in the Medical Services Board public-comment sign-up:
“The Colorado Sunshine Law requires that persons who receive or expect to receive compensation for services related to the adoption or defeat of any standard, rule, rate or decision of any Board or Commission of this State which has been delegated rule-making authority must file disclosure statements for any months in which you receive expense reimbursements for these activities. If you are not paid by anyone, you need not register.”
The Arc of Aurora and ADVOCACYDENVER submitted our concerns to the Medical Services Board administrator Chris Sykes and members of the Medical Services Board. Our written statement can be found below. We observe that the notice is confusing and might suggest that parent caregivers, self-advocates, members of the community do not have the right to provide public comment in relation to the proposed rules. The rulemaking process allows for comments from the larger community. It is important that the Medical Services Board hear from grass roots stakeholders, it is important that you share your story, speak your truth.
In Solidarity,
Hanni Raley
Executive Director
The Arc of Aurora
Pamela Bisceglia
Executive Director
ADVOCACYDENVER
To Chris Sykes and MSB Members,
On behalf of The Arc of Aurora and ADVOCACYDENVER are writing you regarding the new Sunshine Law disclosure notice included in the Medical Services Board public-comment sign-up:
“The Colorado Sunshine Law requires that persons who receive or expect to receive compensation for services related to the adoption or defeat of any standard, rule, rate or decision of any Board or Commission of this State which has been delegated rule-making authority must file disclosure statements for any months in which you receive expense reimbursements for these activities. If you are not paid by anyone, you need not register.”
We understand that this is likely intended to address professional-lobbyist registration and disclosure requirements. However, as currently written, it is confusing and could reasonably be read as a warning directed at families, Medicaid members, paid family caregivers, and other Coloradans who want to provide public comment.
The statement “if you are not paid by anyone” is especially problematic. Many family members are paid caregivers for their children or other loved ones. Others may be employed by provider organizations, receive Medicaid-funded services, or be reimbursed for other services or expenses. None of those facts, by themselves, mean that someone is being compensated to lobby or must register as a professional lobbyist.
Placed directly on the public-comment sign-up, this language will be perceived (whether intended or not) as an intimidation tactic or legal warning meant to discourage people from testifying. Families are already trying to understand complex proposed rules while fighting to preserve necessary services. They should not also be left wondering whether speaking at a public hearing could create an additional confusion around undisclosed legal obligations.
Colorado’s Secretary of State guidance distinguishes compensation for lobbying services from compensation for unrelated work. It also describes an exception for individuals who provide testimony or information at state-agency public hearings, provided they are not otherwise acting as lobbyists and identify themselves and the interest for which they are testifying.
We respectfully request that the current notice be corrected IMMEDIATELY, or removed until it can be reviewed further.
We like to come with solutions, so perhaps a possible replacement could be:
“Public-comment sign-up: Anyone who wishes to be called to provide public comment to the Medical Services Board must complete this sign-up form.
Separate lobbyist disclosure requirements: Colorado law requires certain individuals who are compensated specifically to perform lobbying services concerning a proposed state rule, standard, or rate to register and file disclosures with the Colorado Secretary of State. Compensation received for caregiving, employment, services, or other work unrelated to lobbying does not, by itself, make a person a professional lobbyist. Individuals providing testimony or information at a state-agency public hearing who are not otherwise acting as registered lobbyists generally are not required to register solely because they testify. Speakers should identify themselves and any organization or interest they represent. For official guidance, please review the Colorado Secretary of State’s Lobbying Guidance Manual or contact the Secretary of State’s Lobbying Program.”
Or, if you need something shorter:
“Colorado has separate registration and reporting requirements for individuals who are compensated specifically to provide lobbying services. Being paid as a caregiver, employee, provider, or in another capacity unrelated to lobbying does not, by itself, make someone a professional lobbyist. Members of the public may sign up to share their personal experiences or provide information at an MSB public hearing. Anyone wishing to be called for public comment must complete this form. Questions about lobbyist registration should be directed to the Colorado Secretary of State’s Lobbying Program.”
We would appreciate prompt review and correction before the next Board meeting on Friday, possibly updating your website header with the correction and apology, if you feel warranted. We are already hearing from concerned families and don’t want this confusion to complicate the MSB process further.
We know the Medical Services Board agrees that public comment instructions should INVITE participation and make legal requirements understandable, not leave ordinary people questioning whether they are permitted to speak.
Thank you for your attention to this concern and for taking action.
Signed,
Hanni Raley, Executive Director, The Arc of Aurora
Pamela Bisceglia, Executive Director, ADVOCACYDENVER
Policy Perspective is a publication of ADVOCACYDENVER. If you have any questions, please contact Pamela Bisceglia, Executive Director, at pbisceglia@advocacydenver.org or 303.974.2526.