Championing the IDD Community: Representative Brooks Joins Speaker McCluskie in Ensuring Support Amid Budget Challenges

As the Colorado General Assembly convened for the 2025 legislative session, Speaker Julie McCluskie spoke of the importance of prioritizing Colorado’s Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community in her opening remarks. Her commitment to addressing the needs of this often-overlooked but essential part of our population struck a chord with Representative Max Brooks of House District 45, who shares her passion for supporting this community.

Representative Brooks has long been an advocate for the IDD community, recognizing their vital contributions to the social and economic fabric of our state. He has voiced his determination to ensure that this community does not bear the brunt of the state’s budget shortfalls. “The IDD community already faces significant challenges due to limited resources,” Brooks stated. “We cannot allow these individuals and their families to be further marginalized as we work to address Colorado’s fiscal crisis.”

The IDD community, which includes individuals with autism, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities, relies on a patchwork of state-funded programs for education, employment assistance, housing, and healthcare. However, these programs are frequently underfunded, leaving many families struggling to access the support they need. With the state facing a $700 million to $900 million budget deficit, there is growing concern about how these critical services will be impacted.

Speaker McCluskie’s remarks outlined her vision for protecting the most vulnerable members of Colorado’s population, and Representative Brooks has expressed his willingness to collaborate with her to make this vision a reality. He believes that bipartisan efforts are crucial to safeguarding the IDD community from potential funding cuts. “This is not a partisan issue; it’s a moral one,” Brooks said. “These individuals deserve our support, and we must work together to ensure they receive it.”

Brooks has proposed exploring innovative ways to preserve and even expand support for the IDD community without exacerbating the state’s fiscal challenges. Potential strategies include:

Partnering with private organizations and nonprofits to leverage additional funding for IDD programs.

Streamlining state resources to reduce administrative costs and redirect savings to direct services.

Advocating for federal grants and other funding opportunities specifically aimed at supporting individuals with developmental disabilities.

As the legislative session moves forward, Representative Brooks intends to work closely with Speaker McCluskie and other lawmakers to prioritize the IDD community in budget discussions. He has called for transparency and community input to ensure that any decisions made reflect the real needs of individuals and families who rely on these programs.

“The IDD community is an essential and vibrant part of Colorado,” Brooks said. “They deserve to thrive, and it is our responsibility to ensure they have the resources and opportunities to do so.” By championing this cause, Representative Brooks hopes to send a clear message: even in times of financial strain, Colorado will not turn its back on its most vulnerable citizens.

Location: 200 E Colfax Ave, Denver, CO 80203, USA

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