The Arc of Northeast Colorado is here to serve as a voice for the individuals who cannot speak for themselves.

Who We Are

Amplifying voices for a more inclusive world.

The Arc of Northeast Colorado is creating a new normal where everyone, especially people with IDD, is welcomed and valued in society. Here at The Arc, people with IDD and their families receive the support and resources they need to achieve their full and satisfying life.

With our friends, donors, and partners, we are dedicated to safeguarding the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld, and Yuma counties.

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Offering no-fee individual advocacy services, community outreach programs, and systems advocacy, the The Arc of Northeast Colorado promotes the rights and independence of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, our organization includes self-advocates, parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members.

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Our Mission

The Arc of Northeast Colorado promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through empowerment, advocacy and community outreach

Our Vision

Inclusion. Acceptance. Belonging

Our Values

•Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

•Human Dignity

•Trusted Relationships

•Compassion

•Education

•Independence

Click here for The Arc of US Position Statement on Inclusion

We offer no-fee individual advocacy services, community outreach programs, and systems advocacy to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Logan, Morgan, Phillips, Sedgwick, Washington, Weld and Yuma counties.

Our mission advances as donor partnerships and donations allow. Join us today!

Governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, our organization includes self-advocates, parents, guardians, caregivers, and community members.

Cultivating Collaboration

We've fostered robust connections with various local entities, including schools, as part of our dedicated efforts to promote a collaborative culture. These partnerships significantly contribute to advancing our mission.

Systemic Change

We champion knowledge's transformative potential, emphasizing educational resources. By uniting groups and community members, we strive for systemic change in our communities.

Sustainable Solutions

We collaborate with families, caregivers, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, empowering them with the tools and skills for future independent problem-solving.

Language Matters and our Name Matters:

Using respectful and inclusive language is vital when talking to and about individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The term “retard(ed)” is often used in a derogatory and hurtful manner, contributing to disrespect, hurt and shame for people with IDD. It's important to raise awareness about the negative impact of such language and advocate for its elimination from our vocabulary.

Language shapes attitudes and perceptions, so by choosing our words carefully, we can contribute to a more inclusive and respectful society. Education and awareness are key in addressing these issues and promoting a culture of inclusion, acceptance, and belonging for all individuals, regardless of their abilities.

Our name is equally important! It represents everything we do and everyone we serve. The Arc of Northeast Colorado is our correct name. If you wish to include The Arc of Northeast Colorado’s name and/or logo in a publication, please contact Amelia Koehmstedt, Executive Director, amelia@arcneco.org. Here are some additional guidelines:

Think of The Arc as a title or a phrase; it must be used as a whole.
Always refer to us as “The Arc”; do not say simply “Arc” or “Arc Chapters”.
The correct plural use, when referring to more than one chapter is “….chapters of The Arc”; do not say Arcs, or ARCs, or Arc chapters.
The Arc is not an acronym. Do not create acronyms from The Arc.
Do not use ARC in all caps in any circumstances. In writing, use The Arc, not The ARC and not ARC.

Our Why

A Dark Chapter in American History to be Rewritten through Human Rights Advocacy

Throughout history, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) have been marginalized, excluded, and often confined to institutions—treated more like prisoners than individuals, simply due to societal ignorance. Since the inception of The Arc’s national network in the 1950s, passionate advocates have dedicated their time, talent, and resources to transforming the future for people with disabilities across the nation. During these early years of activism, the political landscape shifted dramatically in 1965 when former Senator Robert Kennedy visited the now-infamous Willowbrook State School in Staten Island, New York. That pivotal moment sparked national attention. Years later, investigative journalist Geraldo Rivera produced an impromptu exposé on Willowbrook, secretly entering the institution with the help of a physician on staff.

The experience was unforgettable—the imagery appalling, the conditions inhumane. It revealed a profound societal failure to protect, support, and uplift our most vulnerable citizens. While it took far too long, change did come: Willowbrook was eventually closed, and the deinstitutionalization movement began to take hold across the United States, reaching Colorado in the early 1990s. Though this journey started decades ago and thousands of miles away on the East Coast, what many don’t realize is that the legacy of Willowbrook is deeply connected to the Colorado Arc Network and arc Thrift Stores.

That connection began with two brothers living in New York: Wally and Nathan Roth. Wally, a man with Down syndrome, was deeply loved and valued by his brother Nathan and the entire Roth family. They cherished Wally’s unique contributions to their lives—relationships that, unbeknownst to them at the time, would go on to change the course of history. Later in life, Nathan Roth became a pioneer in the disability rights movement during this transformative period in history, serving as Board President of The Arc of Nassau. Under his leadership, The Arc of Nassau became the lead plaintiff in the landmark lawsuit against Willowbrook, filed on March 17, 1972, with a consent judgment signed on April 30, 1975. This case sparked significant changes not only in New York but throughout the entire nation, reshaping the future of disability rights in America.

So, who is Nathan Roth—and how is he connected to our chapters in Colorado? Nathan Roth is the father of Henry Roth, a long-time board member of arc Thrift Stores and a key figure in the Colorado Arc Network. Henry continues the legacy of advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) that his father began decades ago. In tribute to his father's lasting impact, Henry recently donated commemorative plaques, now displayed in the hallway leading to the boardroom at arc Thrift Stores headquarters in Denver, imagery below.

Our Team

Amelia Koehmstedt

Executive Director

Email: amelia@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 2

Ryan

Akers

Community Ambassador and Office Assistant

Email: ryan@arcneco.org

Kandice

Kramer

Community Outreach Advocate

Email: kandice@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 6

Tiffany

Ochoa

Office Manager

Email: t iffany@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 3

Alice

Torres

Advocate

Email: alice@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 4

Debbie

Warner

Community Outreach Advocate

Email: debbie@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 5

Leticia

Arguello

Advocacy Manager

Email: leticia@arcneco.org

Phone: (970) 353-5219 x 1

Kathi

Sargent

Office Assistant & Community Ambassador

Email: kathi@arcneco.org

Call us at 970-353-5219 to see how you can get involved today!

Our Board of Directors

The Arc of Northeast Colorado is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors comprised of self-advocates, parents, guardians, and caregivers of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities as well as community members.

The Board of Directors meetings are open to the public, and occur on the third Wednesday every other month. The Executive Committee meetings are private meetings held on the second Wednesday of every month.

Board President

Mike Kelley