Happy Thursday! This week’s Bulletin features a moment of beauty, a spotlight on our team member Holly Bise, important updates for Deaf Seniors of America, and a celebration of Assistive Technology Awareness Week.
 SENSE Colorado Announcement: You may have seen our new website launch with the URL of SENSEColorado.org and noticed that name popping up more and more. What is SENSE Colorado and what does it have to do with the Division? Well, it is our new alias! We have noticed that our acronyms CCDHHDB (formerly the Commission), CDDHHDB (currently the Division), and our Communication Services for People with Disabilities Enterprise (CSPDE) are an “alphabet soup” that is hard to remember and hard to search for. We wanted to develop a brand that was more accessible for the communities we serve. After community feedback and discussion, in December 2025, the Enterprise Board voted to adopt SENSE Colorado as our new alias. The name captures our DHHDB community members’ common sensory experiences as well as the core of the work we do (Services, Education, Navigation, Support, and Empowerment or SENSE). Going forward, our public-facing website, advertising, materials, etc., will use SENSE Colorado. We will retain the Division and Enterprise names for any official purposes (e.g., state documents, legislation, etc.) and you can still find our information using those names. We are slowly rolling out branding and are currently working on our logo. Stay tuned for our official brand unveiling and announcement.
 Get to Know the Division's Staff: Meet Holly Bise, our Enterprise Administrator and financial unit supervisor. While Holly is coming up on her first anniversary with the Division, she is a seasoned pro who has served the State of Colorado for over a decade. She previously worked at the Public Utilities Commission overseeing Relay Colorado. Holly is originally from Texas and studied Environmental Conservation at Texas Tech. She moved to Colorado in 2008 and found her professional calling after her sister, who is Deaf, encouraged her to explore sign language interpreting. While Holly didn’t become an interpreter, she did find her niche serving the Deaf, Hard of Hearing and DeafBlind communities. Outside of the office, Holly lives with her partner, Aaron, and their dogs, Maple and Chief. She is a dedicated advocate for causes that will create a better world for her nephews to live in. Holly is a fan of poolside reading and breathing in crisp mountain air, and she isn’t afraid to admit she is currently watching Breaking Bad for the tenth time.
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Assistive Technology (AT) Awareness: Did you know that this week is Colorado Assistive Technology Awareness Week? AT is any tool, piece of equipment, or software that helps people with disabilities live more independently. It includes everything from a simple magnifying glass to advanced computer software that reads text out loud. Awareness is important because many people do not realize these life-changing resources exist and that they benefit everyone. When we share information about AT, we help break down barriers in schools, workplaces, and homes. Visit credible organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) to learn how vital these tools are: their research shows that using assistive technology significantly improves graduation rates for students and more than doubles the odds of finding and keeping a steady job. These tools are more than just gadgets, they provide the freedom for everyone to participate fully in their communities. Increasing awareness ensures that a disability doesn't have to be a barrier to success or connection.
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Deaf Seniors of America (DSA): The DSA team is looking for volunteers to help with the DSA conference in Baltimore, August 19-27, 2027. They need help with registration, workshops, and behind-the-scenes support. If you plan to attend, make sure to sign up soon, as the early bird registration deadline is April 30, 2026. The conference schedule is full of exciting events like a Community Day, a Memory Cafe, and a new AgeTech Expo. There will also be plenty of time to connect with friends and attend workshops on brain health. Finally, please remember to complete the national senior survey by April 30 to help represent Deaf older adults at the upcoming National Association of the Deaf Conference.
 Some Good News: Let’s take a quick moment to appreciate the world around us. Last week, one of our staff members spotted a stunning double rainbow stretching across the sky while on assignment for the Division. She shared a photo with us and it was a beautiful reminder to slow down and look up from our screens. Even during a busy workday, moments like this help us reset, and we hope you find your own "double rainbow" to enjoy this week.
- Colorado Deaf Festival Event: April 25
- The Connection Hour Event: April 25
Due to a lack of demand, ASL and Spanish Translations for Division Bulletin are available upon request by contacting office.cddhhdb@state.co.us or 720-457-3679.
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