Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy (DDML)

A one-mill property tax dedicated to services for persons with developmental disabilities was established in 2001. The County distributes 93 percent of the Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy (DDML) funds to support Developmental Pathways, the County’s Community-Centered Board (CCB) and Case Management Agency (CMA), while retaining 5.5 percent for a competitive grant program. The remaining 1.5 percent covers Treasurer’s fees.

Development Disabilities Mill Levy (DDML) Grant Program

Since 2001, the DDML grant has awarded over $5 million in funding for local services supporting residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). DDML grant awards are allocated through an annual competitive grant process. The DDML grant is intended to support agencies currently serving Douglas County residents with I/DD and those who would like to start serving this population. All local agencies serving the I/DD population are welcome to apply for these funds. Agencies may apply for multiple grants for different projects.

DDML Grant Application Information

Eligibility

The DDML grant is intended to support agencies currently serving residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in Douglas County, Colorado and those who would like to start providing services in our county. All local agencies serving the I/DD population are welcome to apply for these funds. Agencies may apply for multiple grants for different projects.

Application Overview

Grant Funds

The 2025 DDML Grant Application will open on Monday, June 16, 2025 and close on Wednesday, July 16, 2025 by 5 p.m.

Application Overview

Funds may only be used in support of Douglas County residents with an I/DD as defined by the State of Colorado.
The County seeks to make grant awards in support of programs, projects or scholarships for residents, as opposed to administrative costs or operating expenses.
There is no match required for this grant, but funding diversity and leveraging is highly valued and recommended.
Most awards are made in a one-time payment.
Please see the DDML Long Range Plan to see how your application request meets the long-term goals of this grant.
Applications will be reviewed and scored based on the 2025 Scoresheet, which will be available soon.
Online Application: The application will be available online only during the application window timeframe. Software requires a Chrome or Edge web browser to apply.
Application Requirements: All items can be submitted through the grant application software system –
- Organizational Profile
- Organization Overview
- Organization Financials
- Project Details
- Project Financials
- Attachments:
  - Project Budget
  - W-9 Form
  - Organizational Budget (Revenue and Expenses) for the Previous Calendar or Fiscal Year
  - Organizational Budget (Revenue and Expenses) for the Current Calendar or Fiscal Year
  - Organizational Balance Sheet for the Previous Calendar or Fiscal Year
  - Most recent audit, if applicable

General Grant Timeline

Application process during the summer.
Application review in the fall.
Grants are awarded late in the 4th quarter of the year.
Grant recipients will receive grant contracts in the 4th quarter that need to be signed before funds can be spent.
A final report is required upon completion.

Applicant Training

Additional training materials will be provided closer to the next grant cycle.

Training Materials:
- Grant Software User Guide
- Applicant Portal Training
- 2025 Applicant Training Video (coming soon)

Contact and Technical Assistance

For technical assistance with the new grant management software, please contact eCivis at support@ecivis.com or call 1-877-232-4847. Preferred web browsers to use when completing your application include Google Chrome and Edge.
For questions pertaining to the application process or requirements, please contact Jennifer D’Ambrosio at jdambrosio@douglas.co.us

DDML Resources

2024 Grant Awards

On July 15, 2024, 38 grant applications were received from 28 organizations, totaling $1,274,346 in requests. As a result of the 2001 voter-approved, more than $56.3 million has now been awarded to organizations delivering local services to support residents with developmental disabilities and their families, including $543,813 awarded for use in 2025.

At the Dec.10, 2024 business meeting, The Board of County Commissioners awarded funds to support adult day care, water safety, vocational training, therapeutic horse riding, housing, and transportation services. Learn more about the grant recipients below.

Employment
DIRT
Lone Tree Arts Center
The Hive

Housing
Tall Tales Ranch
Wellspring
CentrePoint

Respite and Adult Day Care
South Suburban
The Hive
The Mane Mission

Transportation
High Pointe
Tall Tales Ranch
Treeline Pass

Socialization and Personal Development
Adam’s Camp
Easterseals
Feel the Beat
Jewish Family Services
Lone Tree Arts Center
Overture
Special Olympics

Therapeutic Services
Affinity Ranch
Therapies of Hope
Town of Castle Rock
Highlands Ranch Community Center
Town of Parker

More details on the recipients and their services can be found in this report.

Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy Advisory Council

The Developmental Disabilities Mill Levy Advisory Council members review grant applications and make funding recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners.

Advisory Council members:

Aaron Chase
Ashley Eades
Russ Hernandez
Diane Hitchingham
Carol Kumpost
Jenny Skinner, Community Centered Board Representative
Saeed Siddiqui

County Commissioners observe March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and recognize the County’s Developmental Disabilities Fund for 20 years of programs and services delivery.