Colorado currently ranks 46th nationwide in "per capita" spending on programs for people with developmental disabilities. More than 12,000 children and adults sit on "waiting lists" eligible for services; yet, wait five to ten years and sometimes longer to receive a place to live, help with daily tasks, job coaching or therapies to increase their independence.

More than 133,000 voter signatures were gathered during the summer to put Initiative 51 on the ballot in November. If passed Initiative 51 would fund job supports, supervision and nursing services for more than 12,000 Colorado children and adults with developmental disabilities like autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy who must currently depend only on family members for support. Without this voter-approved increase, advocates say the already impossibly long wait list situation will become absolutely unmanageable.

Colorado has no safety net to help children and adults with developmental disabilities in crisis. "I have heard horror stories about what happens when a parent dies while an adult child with developmental disability is living at home. Older parents pray they live long enough to see their adult child get services. Younger parents put their children on a waiting list for adult services when they are only fourteen. No family should have to live like this," shares Aimee Pemberton parent of a child with special needs and The Arc of Aurora board president.

Pemberton emphasizes the need for grass roots support from fellow Coloradoans on solving this crisis. "Most citizens want to help people with developmental disabilities, but most don't know how bad it is. This is a very private issue that only has a public solution. Disability is a natural part of life and through no fault of our own it can happen to anyone of us, our children or grandchildren. We are real people in real need. Of the 12,000 on the list, more than 3,000 folks come from Arapahoe County alone."

"I urge Colorado citizens to vote YES on 51," Pemberton states. "Colorado citizens are proud and I think when they realize Colorado is 46th in taking care of its' most vulnerable citizens they'll be willing to pay a little more. Two-tenths of one percent is such a small price to help."

Pemberton's daughter is one of the thousands of Colorado children who face a future of waiting multiple years for help.