Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports Impact Stories

The videos below are a series of positive impact stories from our Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports regional and district grantees. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments and are delighted to share their journeys. Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Regional Impact Stories

The impact story on the regional work with San Juan Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) is shared by Brandi Durr, the Special Education Director of the San Juan BOCES and the Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (COMTSS) Regional Coordinator.

The San Juan BOCES serves rural districts in southwestern Colorado, including Archuleta County (Pagosa Springs), Bayfield, Dolores, Dolores County (Dove Creek), Ignacio, Mancos, Montezuma-Cortez, and Silverton. These districts collaborate through the BOCES to provide specialized services and share resources that might otherwise be difficult to sustain independently. Under the leadership of Special Education Director Brandi Durr, the San Juan BOCES has been in partnership with the Colorado Department of Education's Office of Learning Supports in implementing COMTSS for the past eight years. Brandi has played a key role in driving this work, supporting educators and school leaders in building systems that meet the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional needs of all students, with a particular focus on equity and inclusive practices across the diverse members.

The Santa Fe Trail BOCES serves as a Special Education Administrative Unit for seven member districts including Cheraw, East Otero, Las Animas, Rocky Ford, Swink, Wiley, and Kim. Their mission is to provide a cost-effective and collaborative services structure for member school districts where student achievement is maximized. Under the direction of Natalie Brown, the Santa Fe Trail BOCES has partnered with CDE’s Office of Learning Supports to implement COMTSS since September 2022. Natalie’s leadership has been integral in creating sustainable practices, fostering meaningful opportunities for cross-district collaboration, and building a strong foundation for data-informed decision-making. Her ability to bring people together around a shared vision for supports for ALL students has not only strengthened implementation across the region but has also empowered districts to take ownership of continuous improvement efforts. The story of Santa Fe Trail BOCES reflects the power of regional coordination to scale effective COMTSS practices and ensure all students have access to the supports they need to thrive.

District Impact Story

The impact story on Alamosa School District in San Luis Valley is shared by Dr. Luis Murillo Assistant Superintendent and Genesis Escalon, the Colorado Multi-Tiered System of Supports (COMTSS) District and Family Engagement Coordinator, and is facilitated by Milcah Hawk, Colorado Department of Education, Office of Learning Supports, Regional COMTSS Specialist.

Background: Alamosa School District embarked on the implementation of COMTSS in January 2022. At that time, the district faced significant challenges, with one school in Turnaround and the district’s overall rating in Priority Improvement. With the appointment of a new superintendent and assistant superintendent, the district, along with its families and the broader community, navigated numerous obstacles. To drive systemic change, the district initiated COMTSS implementation with a focus on Team Driven Shared Leadership and Family, School, and Community Partnerships. Alamosa School District has successfully implemented COMTSS at the district level and is now ensuring effective systems practices at the school level.