Press Release: Division Of Vocational Rehabilitation Celebrates National Disability Employment Awareness Month with Proclamation and Ceremony

(DENVER) - To highlight the contributions of Coloradans with disabilities to the state's economy, Governor Jared Polis has issued a proclamation declaring October as Disability Employment Awareness Month. Celebrated nationwide every year, this year's theme is "Celebrating Value and Talent," chosen by the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to recognize the value and talent American workers with disabilities add to workplaces and the economy and to highlight their achievements both past and present.

During Disability Employment Awareness Month, the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) will bring attention to the untapped talent across the disability community. The most recent data from the American Community Survey (ACS) shows that the employment-to-population ratio for people with disabilities ages 18-64 in Colorado reached 50.7% in August 2025, the national figure is 41.8%.

"Colorado is proud to be a leader in advancing opportunities for people with disabilities," said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. "Through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, and now the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, we've helped thousands of Coloradans enter the workforce and thrive in meaningful careers. With our commitment to being a model employer, our state is showing what's possible when we invest in talent and break down systemic barriers. The Polis-Primavera administration is committed to creating a Colorado for All, including people with disabilities."

"When businesses include people with disabilities in their workforce, they gain loyal, skilled employees, and increase talent retention," said CDLE Executive Director Joe Barela. "Colorado has the fifth-highest employment rate for people with disabilities in the nation. This speaks to the collaboration happening throughout our great state."

"At the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, our mission is to connect people with disabilities to meaningful employment and the opportunity to live independently," said Kristin Corash, DVR Director at CDLE. "National Disability Employment Awareness Month is a reminder that no one should lose hope, even if the road to prosperity is long and uncertain. We are lucky to live in a state that prioritizes the importance of Employment for All."

CDLE and DVR will present the Disability Employment Awareness Month Celebration on October 23, 2025 at 10 a.m. in the East Foyer of the Capitol Building. The celebration will recognize people with disabilities, along with employers, partners and individuals who make exemplary efforts in the intentional recruitment, hiring, retention and advancement of individuals with disabilities. The ceremony will also honor DVR staff whose bold actions have significantly impacted the people and partners they serve. Attendees can R.S.V.P. here. Members of the media are asked to R.S.V.P. by confirming their attendance with [email protected].

To help address the barriers people with disabilities face, DVR supports employers to hire and keep the talent they need by expanding their recruitment and training efforts to reach workers with disabilities, while also providing individuals with disabilities one-on-one career counseling, job supports, assistive technology and training to live independently and prosper. Learn more about DVR Services.

Also housed within CDLE, the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) facilitates the collaboration among disability advocates, boards, committees and agencies to advise the Governor's Office and state agencies on coordinated disability policies and services across the various agencies responsible for them. Intentionally housed within the labor department rather than taking a human services approach, CDOO frames disability policy through an opportunity lens with the goal of helping those with disabilities get on a path to self-sufficiency.

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