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Connections Newsletter: Connecting the People Who Help People
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Celebrating Colorado, America and You
 This is an especially historic year, as Colorado marks the sesquisemiquincentennial (say that three times fast!), or 250-150 for short. In celebration of this unique milestone, CDHS is highlighting one of the things that makes Colorado so special: you. Each month, Connections will feature people and programs that help individuals, families and communities across our beautiful state.
All year long, you can celebrate 250-150 with events, festivals, community celebrations, drone shows and more.
Sign up to receive the America 250-Colorado 150 Newsletter to get the latest on 250-150 events and news. You can also view Coloradans’ reflections on the places, people and moments that shape everyday life across our state and share your own.
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Kronos Help Is Here
Having trouble completing a task in Kronos? The Payroll Team has made it easy to get the support you need!
Ways to get help:
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Open office hours: Join the Payroll Team's Kronos Open Office Hours every Tuesday and Thursday for live support. View the schedule.
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Intranet page guides: Check out the comprehensive intranet page. It has a library of step-by-step guides for common Kronos actions.
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Professional Development Opportunity
How to Complete Mid-Year Reviews
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Learn what mid-year reviews are, when they are scheduled, best practices for writing them and how to talk about them with your staff. This session will also provide a detailed overview of how to complete the task in Cornerstone.
Register in Cornerstone to attend this session on Jan. 22 from 1 to 2 p.m.
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Learn About Conflict Resolution, Managing Goals and More Through No-cost Webinars
The Colorado State Employee Assistance Program, a free resource to all State employees, offers no-cost webinars on a range of topics. Check out a couple of the January offerings below, and learn more about upcoming webinars.
De-Escalating Conflict and Aggressive Behavior
Learn how conflict may develop and show up in the workplace, as well as strategies for de-escalation and resolution. This live webinar also provides information on workplace threats and how these challenging situations may affect employees. Attendees will also receive tips and strategies on building resilience in the face of challenging interactions. Use the CSEAP 2025-26 Webinar Registration Form (Google Form) to register for this webinar on Jan. 14, 3 to 4:30 p.m.
New Year, New You? Managing Goals and Mindsets
In this "fishbowl" discussion, CSEAP counselors and coaches chat about new year resolutions, managing goals and adopting mindsets that could lead to more holistic living. Questions that State employees submit will guide the discussion. Use the CSEAP 2025-26 Webinar Registration Form (Google Form) to register for this webinar on Jan. 22, 3 to 4 p.m. Registration closes on Jan 15 so that confirmed guests can send their questions ahead of the session.
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RTD EcoPass
RTD EcoPasses are available at no cost to CDHS employees who live in the RTD service area. If you already have an EcoPass, please do not sign up again. Your pass will remain active and ready for use.
If you live in the RTD service area and have never signed up for an EcoPass, complete the EcoPass Agreement (Google Form). After two to three days, you'll receive an email from RTD with instructions on how to set up an account. Once you set up your account, CDHS will activate your pass.
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An estimated 24-29% of Americans are caregivers. Many are balancing support roles alongside full-time work, often without a clear roadmap. The new year can bring pressure to plan ahead, but for caregivers, not everything is predictable. What someone needs — and what we have to give — can change quickly.
As the people who help people, most of us are also caregivers or are connected to a caregiver. Learn more about how you can support yourself or someone near you by checking out the CDHS Caregivers Affinity Group's Caregiver Resources Guide (Google Doc).
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Co-worker Kudos
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Use the Co-worker Kudos Form (Google Form) to give a co-worker a well-deserved shout-out for stepping up and making a difference.
We'll share your comments in an upcoming issue of Connections!
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Connections Canvas: Poll Results and a New Poll
Thanks to everyone who weighed in on our last poll! What are you most excited about this year? Fresh starts and new possibilities tied with more balance, rest and self-care. Making memories came in third, followed by accomplishing goals and celebrating wins, and traveling and adventures. Here's to a fun, balanced and fulfilling new year!
What are you most excited about this year?
New Poll: What's Your Favorite Winter Activity?
Use the Connections Canvas Poll Form (Google Form) to share your favorite winter activity:
- Sports like skiing, snowboarding, ice skating and sledding ⛷️⛸️
- Watching football, basketball and hockey 🏈 🏀
- Indoor activities like movies, museums and restaurants 🍿 🖼️
- Building snowmen, snowball fights and all things snowy ⛄❄️
- Cozy vibes — hot drinks, blankets and curling up with on couch ☕ 🛋️
- Escaping the cold — dreaming of or traveling somewhere warm 🌴 😎
- Other❓ 🤔
 No new pet pics?! It makes us want to duck under a blanket, too.
Email shannon.mulhall@state.co.us to share your pet pics and give your co-workers a good reason to "paws."
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Civil and Forensic Mental Health
Alex Adjei, Robert Clark, Shirley D'Souza, Owen Love, Katelyn Young
Operations and Strategy
Jamie Gomez-Gonzalez, Alexander Hatfield, Miranda Hewson, Harvey Wong
Residential and Reintegration Services (Division of Youth Services, Regional Centers and Veterans Community Living Centers)
Alexis Armas, La Tara Bell, Bailey Brixey, Matthew Cihlar, Anthony Delgado, Tika Dhungana, Christina Frederick, Kabita Giri, Daggen Horzempa, Julian Klassen, Angeline Mack, Leonardo Noguera Jimenez, Zachary Padilla, John Richardson, Carolina Rodriguez Varela, Christina Round, Josiah Sanchez, Hava Simmons, Daniella Stumm, Vladislava Tyranova, Araceli Ybarra
View an illustration of recent CDHS structural shifts (PDF).
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