Access isn’t optional –
It’s essential.

About Us

The SENSE Colorado Enterprise operates within the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), which provides essential administrative support, including human resources, procurement, and accounting. Following the Enterprise’s establishment, the former governor-appointed Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind transitioned into the Colorado Commission for the Deaf, Hard of Hearing, and DeafBlind Advisory Council. Overseen by CDHS, this body serves as a strategic advisor for community advocacy to CDHS, the Enterprise, and other state agencies.

Did You Know?

Coloradans are deaf or hard of hearing.

Coloradans are DeafBlind.

babies are born in Colorado with hearing differences every year.

DHHDB Demographics InfoGuide

Who We Are

The Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise, operating publicly as the SENSE Colorado Enterprise, is a government-owned business within CDHS. Established by HB 25-1154, the Enterprise Colorado centralizes and optimizes the delivery of communication and environmental navigation services for the estimated 750,000+ Coloradans who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, DeafBlind (DHHDB), or speech-disabled. By transitioning from a traditional commission model to an enterprise structure, the organization ensures sustainable, fee-based funding and operational agility.

Trish on left and Katie on right, standing next to each other on steps of the Capitol.

Our Mission and Vision

Our Mission: To create a barrier-free Colorado.

Our Mandate: To facilitate provision and access to efficient services that enable communication between individuals with and without communication-related disabilities.

Our Values (SENSE Acronym): Services, Education, Navigation, Support, and Empowerment

Financing

  • Telephone Disability Access Surcharge (TDAS): Monthly fees on telephone lines. Revenue collected by the Public Utilities Commission. Currently set at 8 cents per line.
  • Prepaid Telephone Disability Access Charge: Fees collected at the point of sale for prepaid wireless services by the Department of Revenue. Currently set at 8 cents per transaction.
  • Federal Grants: Includes funding for the National DeafBlind Equipment Distribution Program (NDBEDP) and Colorado Early Hearing Detection and Intervention (COEHDI).