1. (1) The Colorado division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind grant program is established to provide funding for entities to improve communication between fee payers by addressing the needs of individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind.

2. (2)

   1. (a) The Colorado division for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind grant program committee appointed pursuant to section 26-21-107.7 shall administer the grant program as provided in section 26-21-107.7.
   2. (b) The division shall pay the grants awarded through the grant program from money appropriated by the general assembly.
   3. (c) Subject to available money, the general assembly shall appropriate to the division no more than fifty thousand dollars annually to administer the grant program.
3. (3) The state department shall adopt rules addressing timelines and guidelines for the grant program and establishing criteria for approving or disapproving grant applications.
4. (4) An entity seeking to provide services to deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind persons or to enhance existing deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind programs may apply for a grant through the grant program.
5. (5) As used in this section, entity means a local government, state agency, state-operated program, or private nonprofit or not-for-profit organization.
6. (6) Grants must be awarded as provided in section 26-21-107.7 (3) and in compliance with applicable state rules.
7. (7) Grantees shall comply with reporting requirements established by the division.

Source: L. 2009: Entire section added, (SB 09-144), ch. 219, p. 990, § 7, effective August 5. L. 2018: (1), (2), (4), and (6) amended, (HB 18-1108), ch. 303, p. 1844, § 18, effective August 8. L. 2021: (5) amended, (SB 21-216), ch. 79, p. 306, § 3, effective April 30. L. 2025: (1), (2), and (7) amended, (HB 25-1154), ch. 230, p. 1067, § 9, effective May 22.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 21-216, see section 1 of chapter 79, Session Laws of Colorado 2021.