1. (1) The Colorado commission for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind advisory council is created in the state department. The division is under the jurisdiction of the communication services for people with disabilities enterprise. The commission exercises its powers and performs its duties and functions under the state department. The division and commission shall advise the enterprise and state agencies regarding the provision of services and resources for the deaf, hard-of-hearing, and deafblind community.

2. (2) The commission consists of seven members appointed by the governor as follows:

   1. (a) One member who is deaf;
   2. (b) One member who is hard of hearing;
   3. (c) One member who is a professional working with individuals in the deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind community;
   4. (d) One member who is a parent of a deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind person;
   5. (e) One member who is late deafened;
   6. (f) One member who is an auxiliary services provider for the deaf, hard of hearing, or deafblind and who is qualified to use at least one of the titles listed in section 6-1-707 (1)(e); and
   7. (g) One member who is deafblind.

3. (3)

   1. (a) Members shall serve terms of four years; except that the terms shall be staggered so that no more than four members' terms expire in the same year. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive four-year terms.
   2. (b) The governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill any vacancy on the commission for the remainder of any unexpired term.
4. (4) At least ninety days prior to the expiration of a member's term of office, the commission shall create a list of nominees. The nominees' names shall be submitted to the governor at least forty-five days prior to the expiration of the preceding term for which the nominees are being considered. If the governor approves the nominees, the governor shall appoint one of the nominees for each open position within ninety days after the date of each vacancy; otherwise, the governor shall appoint qualified persons in consultation with the commission.
5. (5) This section is repealed, effective September 1, 2031. Before the repeal, this section is scheduled for review in accordance with section 2-3-1203.

Source: L. 2000: Entire article added, p. 1625, § 1, effective June 1. L. 2009: (2)(c), (2)(f), and (4) amended, (SB 09-144), ch. 219, p. 986, § 3, effective August 5. L. 2015: IP(2), (2)(c), (2)(f), (2)(g), and (3)(a) amended, (SB 15-178), ch. 151, p. 455, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2018: (1), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(f), and (2)(g) amended, (HB 18-1108), ch. 303, p. 1838, § 14, effective August 8. L. 2022: IP(2) and (3)(a) amended, (SB 22-013), ch. 2, p. 68, § 91, effective February 25; (1) amended, (SB 22-162), ch. 469, p. 3379, § 76, effective August 10. L. 2025: (1) amended and (5) added, (HB 25-1154), ch. 230, p. 1069, § 5, effective May 22.

Cross references: For the short title (the Debbie Haskins 'Administrative Organization Act of 1968' Modernization Act) in SB 22-162, see section 1 of chapter 469, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.