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Broomfield proclaims March 2025 Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month; advocates urge housing and service expansion
Summary
The council adopted a proclamation recognizing March 2025 as IDD Awareness Month and heard advocates from the Association for Community Living and self‑advocacy groups call for more inclusive housing, services and a push to become a "neurodiverse‑friendly" county.
The City and County of Broomfield declared March 2025 "Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month" on March 11, a proclamation city leaders said expresses Broomfield's commitment to inclusion and supports local advocacy groups seeking expanded housing and community supports.
"People with IDD have inherent value, strengths, and abilities and deserve dignity, respect, and equality under the law," the proclamation reads. Council member Anderson read the proclamation and invited representatives from local advocacy organizations to speak.
Ailsa Wanakott, executive director of the Association for Community Living (referred to as The Arc serving Baldwin‑Broomfield), told council that Broomfield has made progress building homes and local support systems and pushed the county to pursue a broader identity as a "neurodiverse friendly" city and county. "You have got the heart. You've got the will, and you've clearly have built out the infrastructure," Wanakott said.
Rebecca Tolliver, speaking for SABE (Self Advocates Becoming Empowered), said the proclamation matters because it signals the city will listen to people with IDD and their service priorities. Other local parents and advocates described long‑running community efforts — including the Cottonwood project and related housing initiatives — and urged continued attention to Medicaid‑reliant services and community‑based supports.
Nut graf: The proclamation was adopted as part of petitions and communications on the council agenda; while symbolic, advocates used the occasion to press for concrete housing and service expansions and to note partnerships the city has fostered with local providers.
Council members thanked the advocates and discussed the city's continuing role in supporting housing models, employment and community access for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Ending: Council adopted the proclamation with no formal vote recorded beyond the acceptance of the proclamation; staff and advocates said they will continue to work on housing and the Cottonwood project identified by local groups as a replicable model.
