In 2005 Routt County voters approved a one-mill (.001) property tax, which is allowed by Colorado statute, to help Routt County residents with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (IDD).

In Routt County, mill levy funds will be used to:

1) Support the Early Intervention program with more comprehensive training, education for parents to care for their infant or toddler with, or at risk of, a developmental disability;

2) Supplement the Family Support fund to help families cover the expenses of keeping a child with IDD at home such as adaptive equipment (wheelchairs, ramps, bathroom safety bars, etc.) therapies and training;

3) Improve the adult residential and day programs so that adults with IDD have a safe and supervised environment.

An individual with an intellectual disability must live in Routt Country for not less than one year or the individual’s parent or guardian must live in Routt for not less than five years to receive funds from the mill levy.

Rather than an “entitlement model” of telling an individual or family, “You need this and that,” clients are asked, “what do you need?”  Requests are typically modest and realistic.  Services are specialized to each individual person.  This has proven to cost less and deliver more efficient and effective care.

As of the December 2021 mill levy update, a total of 137 Routt County individuals and families were currently being served.

Accountability is assured at five levels.  First, the Community Centered Board (CCB) is a non-profit, state-authorized organization led by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of members from the community.  This board is legally and financially responsible for the activities of the CCB.  Next, are the Routt County Commissioners and county staff who annually review required, detailed budgets and reports.  At the state level, the CCB reports to the Colorado Division for Developmental Disabilities with annual audits of program and financial activities.   At the federal level, the CCB is subject to requirements and protocols of the Federal Medicaid Program.  Finally, the CCB is accountable to the families of individuals who receive help.

As part of the mill levy agreement, Horizons cannot fundraise in Routt County. Donations are still accepted from Routt residents, but no solicitation materials are to be distributed and Horizons cannot apply to local grantors such as Routt County United Way. Additionally, mill levy funds are intended to be used after Medicaid and state general funds.