FAQ

Under CRS 24-50-112.5 (8), the Disability Hiring Preference Pilot authorizes the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment to award preference to qualified individuals with disabilities through a pilot program. The new pilot, implemented as a result of the passage of Senate Bill 21-095, recognizes that the skills and talents of people with disabilities are often overlooked, resulting in high rates of unemployment.

In order to participate in the Disability Preference, you must:

1) identify as an individual with a disability as defined by the ADA; 

2) obtain and submit appropriate documentation of your eligibility in one of the appropriate formats; and 

3) opt into the preference by indicating on the designated portion of the application form.

It's not possible to provide an exhaustive list given the individualized nature of disability. Determining the presence of a disability for purposes of the hiring preference depends on whether the individual has an impairment that impedes one or more major life activities. Major life activities include, but are not limited to: caring for oneself, performing manual tasks, seeing, hearing, eating, sleeping, walking, standing, sitting, reaching, lifting, bending, speaking, breathing, learning, reading, concentrating, thinking, communicating, interacting with others, and working.

No. Participation in the Disability Preference does not automatically grant you a position at CDLE.

No. The information gathered is used to award preference only, and is not available to hiring managers or hiring panelists. Any information regarding a disability will only be used in accordance with the ADA. All information related to a preference will be kept confidential. This information is being requested on a voluntary basis, and any information provided, or a refusal to answer, will not subject any person to any adverse treatment. 

If you claim eligibility for the Disability Hiring Preference, you are responsible for providing all information necessary to document the claim. You can find appropriate documentation here.

After the announcement closes, qualifying applicants will be notified of where to send their documentation via email as well as the due date and time for it to be submitted. Documentation will not be retained for future recruitments which will require that applicants submit their documentation for each job they have applied for separately.

No. The Disability Preference does not apply to selection activities that would result in a promotional opportunity for the candidate. The Disability Preference is also not available to a person currently employed by the State of Colorado. 

Yes. Any information regarding a disability will only be used in accordance with the ADA. All information related to a preference will be kept confidential. This information is being requested on a voluntary basis, and any information provided, or the refusal to answer, will not subject any person to any adverse treatment.

In order to qualify for the preference, you must meet the definition of disability as defined by the ADA, as amended: A person is considered to have a disability if he or she has a physical or mental impairment or medical condition that substantially limits a major life activity, or if a person has a history or record of such an impairment or medical condition.

No. If you need a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in any portion of the hiring process, please contact the ADA Coordinator listed in the job announcement.

You may be given both the Veterans’ Preference and the Disability Preference, but you will not be  eligible for both the Disabled Veterans’ Preference and the Disability Preference. Thus, the maximum amount of preference points that a job applicant can receive on any given application is 10. 

No. At this time, the Disability Preference is only applied to jobs at CDLE.

If you are a CDLE employee, supervisor or hiring manager, we've gathered a list of FAQs specific to you.  Find them here.