(1) The Colorado commission for the deaf, hard of hearing, and deafblind is created in the department of human services. The commission shall exercise its powers, duties, and functions under the department of human services as if it were transferred to the department by a type 2 transfer under the provisions of the "Administrative Organization Act of 1968", article 1 of title 24. (2) The commission consists of seven members as follows:
One member who is deaf;
One member who is hard of hearing;
One member who is a professional working with individuals in the deaf, hard-ofhearing, or deafblind community;
One member who is a parent of a deaf, hard-of-hearing, or deafblind person;
One member who is late deafened;
One member who is an auxiliary services provider for the deaf, hard of hearing, ordeafblind and who is qualified to use at least one of the titles listed in section 6-1-707 (1)(e); and (g) One member who is deafblind.
(3) (a) The governor shall appoint the commission members referenced in subsection (2) of this section. Beginning July 1, 2000, four of these commission members shall serve initial terms of four years, and three shall serve initial terms of six years. After the initial appointments of the commission members referenced in subsection (2) of this section, all subsequent appointees shall serve terms of four years; except that a member shall not serve more than two consecutive four-year terms.
(b) The governor shall appoint a qualified person to fill any vacancy on the commission for the remainder of any unexpired term.
(4) At least ninety days prior to the expiration of a member's term of office, the commission shall create a list of nominees. The nominees' names shall be submitted to the governor at least forty-five days prior to the expiration of the preceding term for which the nominees are being considered. If the governor approves the nominees, the governor shall appoint one of the nominees for each open position within ninety days after the date of each vacancy; otherwise, the governor shall appoint qualified persons in consultation with the commission.
Source: L. 2000: Entire article added, p. 1625, § 1, effective June 1. L. 2009: (2)(c), (2)(f), and (4) amended, (SB 09-144), ch. 219, p. 986, § 3, effective August 5. L. 2015: IP(2), (2)(c), (2)(f), (2)(g), and (3)(a) amended, (SB 15-178), ch. 151, p. 455, § 4, effective July 1. L. 2018: (1), (2)(c), (2)(d), (2)(f), and (2)(g) amended, (HB 18-1108), ch. 303, p. 1838, § 14, effective August 8.