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 provide job supports, supervision and nursing services for more than 12,000 children and adults with developmental disabilities like autism, Down syndrome and cerebral palsy who must currently depend only on family members for support.

Colorado currently ranks 46th in "per capita" spending on programs for people with developmental disabilities. The 12,000 people on the "waiting list" are eligible for services but must wait five to ten years and sometimes longer to receive job coaching, a place to live, help with daily tasks or therapies to increase their independence. Without the voter approved increase, advocates say the wait list will grow and the wait will take longer.

Executive Director for The Arc in Jefferson County Todd Lowther, speaking to the Denver West Kiwanis Club Thursday, said, "Only one in ten people with developmental disabilities who wants to work currently has a job. That's down twenty percent in the last ten years because the funding for job development has been cut dramatically."

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

Lowther emphasized the need for grass roots support from community leaders. "Most citizens want to help people with developmental disabilities, but most people don't know how bad it is. These are real people in real need. Of the 12,000 on the list, nearly 3,000 come from Jefferson County alone."