January 2026

Employee of the Month - December

Jeremy Pierce, Training Specialist

Staff Development

Sanctuary Spotlight

Growth and Change: Jeremy has stepped up huge for the office and taking on new and more leader roles. The office lost 2 employees to transfers and Jeremy has taken on their roles to continue great training for new employees

Social Responsibility: Jeremy is a great instructor for OSD. He makes sure that the new employee in the Academy are receiving all the important information while teaching how to work well as a team and how to have a good culture.

Open Communication: Jeremy is great with his communication with all new employee and Youth Centers. He takes the time to listen to the needs of everyone. He has extra or different ways to teach and help the new employee undertstand and prepares them to be safe and succesful. He spends time reaching out to Youth Centers and shares positive info about their new employee.

Do you know a Central Admin staff that goes above and beyond for DYS? Nominate them to be the next Employee of the Month here ! Our nomination form opens on the last Friday of the month

"Jeremy is amazing everyday with the new employees in the Academy. He is one of the best trainers at OSD. He knows the right services that DYS provides, and when the right time is to use them. He works hard to make each new employee a quality staff by holding everyone to a high standard. He continues to train at the highest level with the proven practices. Jeremy does all this in a safe environment in all areas, physical, emotional and psychological."

What's New?

Welcome to the Team! 😁

Angelica Granados, Policy Advisor lll

In November, DYS Director Alex Stojsavjevic attended a presentation at the Office of Staff Development (OSD). OSD team members gave a demonstration of the physical supports and interventions program and discussed the crisis management program, both taught in the DYS new staff academy. Pictured left to right: Michael Walter, Jack Sandoval, John Ferullo and Alex Stojsavljevic. Additionally, Alex has been spending time getting to know and listening to staff, taking part in a ride-along with client managers/parole officers, and presenting at the Joint Budget Committee in front of state representatives.

Potential Fuel Contamination

State Fleet Management (SFM) has become aware that several petroleum fueling locations around the State of Colorado delivered contaminated fuel. This contamination was due to a mislabeling of the fuel being delivered. Fuel ordered as “Unleaded Gasoline” was delivered “Diesel” fuel. SFM is working with CDLE and others to acquire a full list of all locations that were provided with contaminated fuel.

Included is an initial list of locations that were known to have been provided with contaminated fuel. Currently, the list includes King Soopers, Costco, and Maverick stations. This does not mean that as the investigation continues this list will not grow. SFM anticipates it will significantly expand.

SFM is using fueling event location data overlays with the most current list for the next 30 days to ensure we capture all repair expenses related to the contaminated fuel. When SFM becomes aware of a potential contaminated fueling event we will reach out to the Fleet Coordinator operating the vehicle with an action plan. SFM will submit for any associated contamination related expense on behalf of the state. Please do not file any related expenses.

If you suspect there has been a contaminated fueling event with an office fleet, immediately stop operation of the vehicle and Contact Matice Mascarenas, or Edwin Rodriguez

Changes to UKG Kronos Login Process Coming Soon

Starting Feb. 17, you will log in to UKG Kronos with your network username and password instead of your employee identification number and unique password. Your network username is followed by @cdhs.state.co.us (example: Riosxxal@cdhs.state.co.us) and the password is what you use to log in to a State-issued computer. The CDHS Payroll and Timekeeping team will send a reminder email a few days before Feb. 16 that will include your network username so you’re ready to go. The email will come from cdhs_kronosadministration@state.co.us.

A brand new microwave has been installed in the Director's Office mailroom! Staff are raving about it's high power abilities

"It's nice to have a microwave that doesn't take forever to heat up my lunch!"

Consider trying it out the next time you need to reheat a meal. 😉

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Central Office's Sanctuary Certification is coming up on Tuesday, January 27th. Andrus Consultant Kyle Rose has been working closely with Ashley Tunstall and our Sanctuary Core Team on a narrative to be certified, and Kyle will be visitng our Office on the 27th for official certification!

Attend the State of Colorado’s 2026 Innovation Conference

Registration is currently open!

Use the Registration Form to sign up for free, virtual sessions held Feb 26, 2026.
Detailed session descriptions can be found on the Innovation Conference 2026 website.
Learn about innovation, process improvement, change and project management, as well as digital transformation.

Why You Should Join Us

This event is more than just a meeting — it is a chance to grow your skills and find new ways to make government work better for everyone. By attending, you will:

Learn from Experts for Free: Gain practical skills and better ways of working— all at no cost and from your own desk.
Hear Real Success Stories: Listen to fellow State employees share how they solved problems and improved services within their own agencies.
Get Ready to Lead: Find the inspiration you need to share your own ideas and lead improvements in your department next year.
Improve Every Day: Discover how "continuous improvement" (making small, smart changes over time) can help you serve the public better.
Build Your Network: Connect with people from different agencies to share ideas, solve common problems, and work together more effectively.

Birthdays

January

🎂 Ingrid Groover 1/1

🎂 Valerie Hansen 1/5

🎂Matt Sena 1/19

🎂Tammy Schneiderman 1/15

🎂Kathleen Colvin 1/15

🎂 Jenny Agbortogho 1/16

🎂 Jennifer Leonard 1/22

🎂 Erica Riggs 1/22

🎂 Ronnie Cooper 1/21

🎂 Michael McAuliffe 1/24

Years of Service

December

Leslie Navarro-Conger, CR Office - 25 years

Kathryn Hauge, NE Regional Office - 15 years

Frank Diaz, NE Regional Office - 20 years

Andrea Smith, SR Office - 20 years

For more information on the Years of Service program, visit the Employee Rewards and Recognition intranet page, where you will find a Years of Service program guide (PDF), or email CDHS_HumanResources@state.co.us

DYSWINS 🙌

This section is for staff Kudos! 👍

Annette Dietrich, DYCO - Thank you Annette for putting the conference room back together for your YCADGs after our holiday party the day before. Your kindness was more helpful than you know!

Please use this form to submit some Kudos to be featured in next month's Newsletter

Sanctuary Commitment

Some questions to keep in mind:

What different forms of violence can be seen in DYS?

Where could we do better to decrease instances of violence?

How is power used or misused in this system?

How and where do we find support?

How can we better support each other and our needs?

Non-violence

January Theme

Text courtesy of Elisa C. Hicks - MSW, MA, CJSP

(former) NCCHC Coordinator, BHMS

A shared Commitment to Nonviolence is an essential, unconditional element of a developmentally grounded, trauma-informed culture. In a trauma-informed environment, violence is no longer perceived as acceptable or welcome and is always perceived as a form of emotional injury that is contagious. People who harm the well-being of others and of the community are perceived as having endured their own past injuries. Staff must recognize that their personal safety is directly tied to their ability to treat those who receive services with respect and dignity.

Sanctuary is based in a culture of safety: moral safety, social safety, psychological safety, and physical safety. Each of these are part of creating a nonviolent culture.

People - Centered Practices 👥

“A good rule of thumb: If it’s targeted, cruel, manipulative, or designed to intimidate – it’s not management; it’s psychological abuse.” - Sentrient

What we say: Choose your words carefully. Be clear, honest, direct and specific. Words matter, so be intentional about the ones you choose.

How we say it: Our tone of voice and body language will often convey more meaning than the actual words that we speak. Gather yourself, take a deep breath and speak in measured tones. You do not want to come across as trying to intimidate by yelling, having clenched fists or by invading their personal space.

Non-violence and Psychological Safety

The Sanctuary theme for January is non-violenc e. Psychological violence in the workplace can look like behavior that harms a person’s mental well-being, sense of safety or dignity. It can include insults, manipulation, intimidation, exclusion or any pattern of behavior designed to control, belittle or destabilize someone.

In professional environments, we should not be insulting, criticizing or yelling at our colleagues. We want to be effective communicators, and strong, principled leaders and colleagues. We need to practice our emotional intelligence and mindfulness, especially when we may be stressed and frustrated.

What we say, how we say it, when we say it and where we say it are all part of effective communication that will reduce the likelihood of creating spaces that have psychological abuse or violence.

Maintaining safety may require addressing errors publicly and in the moment, ensuring that harmful actions are corrected immediately. However, constantly criticizing someone in front of others or public shaming disguised as feedback are unhealthy and harmful habits.

Creating spaces free from violence takes intentional and wise behavior on all of our parts. While physical violence is understandably where our minds first go when we think of non-violence, psychological safety is a necessary part of creating a culture of non-violence here at DYS.

When we say it: Is now the right time? Is this something that can be addressed later when it is more appropriate? Is the person you want to speak to doing something else that is more important? Are you in enough emotional control of yourself to effectively communicate? Consider these things when deciding whether now is the right time to address an issue.

Where we say it: Consider the space where you have the conversation. Is it public? Is it private? Especially when we need to offer criticism, corrective action, or have a tough conversation, we should almost always be doing this in a private space. If people feel shamed or angry because they are receiving correction in public, they are less likely to be able to receive that information with grace. They are less able to focus on your intent because they are too busy thinking about who else is hearing or

seeing this.

Information pulled from PCP January 2026 newsletter

In other news... 📰

Marvin W. Foote + Broncos Unveil New Courtyard

Big things are happening in the Marvin W. Foote Youth Services Center (MWFYSC) courtyard! Thanks to the incredible generosity of the Denver Broncos Foundation, our youth now have a completely renovated outdoor space to enjoy. The Foundation handled every step—from planning to funding—delivering a beautiful new area equipped with a basketball court, pickleball court, ping pong tables, high-quality turf, and new tables.

Presented by Denver Broncos Owner and Foundation Board Chair Carrie Walton Penner, the ribbon-cutting ceremony featured a lineup of guest speakers including Broncos left tackle Garett Bolles and VP of Community Impact Allie Engelken, alongside DYS Director Alex Stojsavljevic and MWFYSC Director Eugene Forbes. Youth and staff joined the ceremony, which concluded with breakfast burritos from a local restaurant.

DYS is proud of its partnership with the Denver Broncos Foundation, dating back to 2019. Additionally, DYS greatly values its partnership with Garett Bolles. Through his personal non-profit, the GB3 Foundation, Garett visits and mentors youth at MWFYSC every month, making a positive and lasting impact on our community.

Transition Youth Hold Donation Drive

Two youth from Spring Creek YSC’s transition unit held a clothing and canned goods drive as a restorative community justice project. The youth created flyers to advertise their drive, decorated a donation box and managed the donations. The youth were able to donate 36 pairs of pants, 72 shirts, 13 coats, 32 blankets, 13 pairs of shoes and 20 accessories! A huge thank you to BHS Johnson for delivering the clothing donations to the Boys and Girls Club.

Drive Smart Initiative Brings Safety Awareness to Spring Creek Youth

In December, CommonSpirit Health partnered with the Colorado Springs Police Department, the Colorado Springs Fire Department, Spring Creek Youth Services Center and the Southern Region to bring Drive Smart, a hands on teen driver safety initiative to youth.

El Paso County recorded the highest number of traffic fatalities in any Colorado county in 2023 and the second highest county for traffic fatalities in 2024. During the event, youth at Spring Creek attended an interactive presentation on major driving risks, including distracted driving, impaired driving (alcohol or drugs), phone use and speeding. Youth also had the chance to wear goggles that safely simulate the effects of alcohol, drugs, drowsiness and texting. The goggles allowed the youth to experience firsthand how impairment impacts balance, vision, and reaction time in a safe and controlled environment.

The youth positively participated and hopefully had an experience that will help them make safer choices when they are back on the road in the community.

Introducing Gemini 3 Pro for the Gemini App

Available Now

State employees who have Gemini access have been automatically upgraded to Gemini 3, which provides more valuable prompt responses, offering high-quality information in an easier-to-read format. This upgrade offers significant enhancements to reasoning across text, images, audio and video.

Learning Resource
Read Google’s full article and watch videos about Gemini 3 Pro
NEW! Gemini 3 Pro Image Tool: Learn about Nano Banana Pro in Slides, Vids, Gemini app and NotebookLM

Read our Google News, December edition.

Training Opportunities

Introducing Gemini | Dec. 30, 2 p.m.

Add this training session to your calendar now.

Want to catch up on even more events? Checkout the links below for the full newsletters that these spotlight articles were pulled from!

2026 Legislative Session Underway

The Colorado legislative session is underway! CDHS’s team — Deputy Executive Director of Financial Services Christina Beisel, Legislative Liaison Emily Hanson and Policy Advisor Walker Stevens — will be under the gold dome throughout the second regular session of the 75th General Assembly, engaging with legislators about proposed bills that impact our programs, offices, divisions and the Coloradans we serve.

If you work at or visit CDHS headquarters at 1575 Sherman St., please remember to expect more traffic and less parking around the Capitol through May 13, when the session is scheduled to end.

The Capitol Update newsletter is undergoing some changes and will return in a few weeks with a new format — stay tuned for updates and the latest legislative news. In the meantime, find calendars, links to listen in on House and Senate hearings and more on the Capitol Updates intranet page.

RTD EcoPass

RTD EcoPasses are available at no cost to CDHS employees who live in the RTD service area. If you already have an EcoPass, please do not sign up again. Your pass will remain active and ready for use.

If you live in the RTD service area and have never signed up for an EcoPass, complete the EcoPass Agreement (Google Form). After two to three days, you'll receive an email from RTD with instructions on how to set up an account. Once you set up your account, CDHS will activate your pass.

Kronos Help Is Here

Having trouble completing a task in Kronos? The Payroll Team has made it easy to get the support you need!

Ways to get help:

Open office hours: Join the Payroll Team's Kronos Open Office Hours every Tuesday and Thursday for live support. View the schedule.

Intranet page guides: Check out the comprehensive intranet page. It has a library of step-by-step guides for common Kronos actions.

Email support: If you can't attend open office hours or find a guide that answers your questions, email the team at CDHS_KronosAdministration@state.co.us.

Data Privacy Week Jan. 26 -30, 2026

The worldwide effort aims to educate individuals and organizations about their data rights, emphasize the importance of secure information management and promote responsible data practices.

Understanding Google Drive and Data Privacy

As State of Colorado employees, we manage sensitive information every day, and Coloradans depend on us to protect it. Data privacy is a shared responsibility, not just an IT concern. Whether accessing records, handling documents or using email, we all play a critical role in safeguarding information.

One way you can make a difference right now is to check the access permissions in your Google Drive files and folders. You might be surprised that some of your Google Docs, Sheets and Slides are accessible across all executive branch agencies or even open to the public! In Google Drive, you can easily find and manage access permissions for files you have shared within your organization or with external users. As best practice, ensure that you only share items with those who require access. Consult the Google Drive Guide for a comprehensive overview of the features, settings and best practices for sharing in Google Drive.

General Access Levels

Restricted - Only individuals with specific access can open the link. Enter the people you would like to grant access to in the top section “Add people, groups, spaces and calendar events”.
All <Your Agency Acronym> Users - Everyone in your agency, including contractors and vendors who work for your agency (excluding other agencies).
State of Colorado - Executive Branch - Everyone in the executive branch.
Anyone with the link - Anyone on the internet with the link can view.

Permissions

There are different permissions that can be granted via General access and People with access:

Owner: Has Editor access and full ownership.
Editor: Can comment, edit, delete and move files/folders.
Commenter: Can view, suggest changes and make comments.
Viewer: Can view but cannot make changes.

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