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Colorado Bluesky Intake and Developmental Disability (DD) Determination Process

Step 1, Referral

Referrals for developmental disability programs with Colorado Bluesky come from a variety of sources including schools, doctors, agencies, friends, neighbors, family, self-referral or walk-ins. Contact a Colorado Bluesky Intake Coordinator at, 719.546.0572 or email.

Step 2, Contact with Intake Coordinator

After receiving a referral, an Intake Coordinator will contact you and talk with you about your needs, your desired services, and eligibility for Colorado Bluesky programs. If you feel you will not meet the eligibility requirements the Intake Coordinator can refer you to appropriate resources or options to meet your needs. If you decide that you would like to apply, you will need to complete a packet to determine eligibility.

Step 3, Application to DD Determination 

The Intake Coordinator will set up a face-to-face meeting with you to complete an application packet. The packet includes information such as medical history, family information, and current supports. There are also Release of Information forms that will allow the Intake Coordinator to gather information to determine eligibility. The Intake Coordinator will also develop an Individual Service Plan, which will give a picture of the applicant including long term goals, needs, and desired services and supports during this meeting.

Step 4, DD Determination

The Intake Coordinator will gather and review information with your application to determine DD Determination. In most cases, the Intake Coordinator is able to gather pertinent information to make a clear decision on DD Determination In other cases, the DD Determination Committee reviews the information. If you are found not eligible you will be notified of this decision, given further recommendations, and an explanation of your right to appeal the decision. If you are found eligible, you will be notified and placed on a waiting list.


DD Determination

In order to access Colorado Bluesky programs, an individual must first be determined to be developmentally disabled. This determination is made during the intake and DD Determination process. Please note there is a separate process for the Early Intervention Program. Developmental disability is defined in the Colorado Department of Human Services Rule, 2 CCR 503-1, section 16.120 as follows:

"Developmental disability" means a disability that is manifested before the person reaches twenty-two years of age, which constitutes a substantial disability to the affected individual, and is attributable to mental retardation or related conditions which include cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, or other neurological conditions when such conditions result in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the federal definition of "developmental disability" found in 42 U.S.C. sec. 15001 et seq. shall not apply.

  • A. Impairment of general intellectual functioning means that the person has been determined to have an intellectual quotient equivalent which is two or more standard deviations below the mean (70 or less assuming a scale with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15), as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the nature of the person's disability, and administered by a qualified professional. The standard error of measurement of the instrument should be considered when determining the intellectual quotient equivalent. When an individual's general intellectual functioning cannot be measured by a standardized instrument, then the assessment of a qualified professional shall be used.
  • B. "Adaptive behavior similar to that of a person with mental retardation" means that the person has overall adaptive behavior which is two or more standard deviations below the mean in two or more skill areas (communication, self-care, home living, social skills, community use, self-direction, health and safety, functional academics, leisure, and work), as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the person's living environment, and administered and clinically determined by a qualified professional. These adaptive behavior limitations are a direct result of, or are significantly influenced by, the person's substantial intellectual deficits and may not be attributable to only a physical or sensory impairment or mental illness.
  • C. "Substantial intellectual deficits" means an intellectual quotient that is between 71 and 75 assuming a scale with a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15, as measured by an instrument which is standardized, appropriate to the nature of the person's disability, and administered by a qualified professional. The standard error of measurement of the instrument should be considered when determining the intellectual quotient equivalent.Developmental delay is defined in the Colorado Department of Human Services Rule, 2 CCR 503-1, section 16.120 as follows:


"Developmental Delay" means that a child meets one or more of the following:

A. A child who is less than five (5) years of age at risk of having a developmental disability because of the presence of one or more of the following:

  1. Chromosomal conditions associated with delays in development
  2. Congenital syndromes and conditions associated with delays in development
  3. Sensory impairments associated with delays in development
  4. Metabolic disorders associated with delays in development
  5. Prenatal and perinatal infections and significant medical problems associated with delays in development
  6. Low birth weight infants weighing less than 1200 grams, or
  7. Postnatal acquired problems resulting in delays in development.


B. A child less than five (5) years of age who is significantly delayed in development in one or more of the following areas:

  1. Communication
  2. Adaptive behavior
  3. Social-emotional
  4. Motor
  5. Sensory, or
  6. Cognition.


C. A child less than three (3) years of age who lives with one or both parents who have a developmental disability.