Opening Remarks

Dianne Primavera is serving her third term as Colorado’s 50th Lieutenant Governor. In her role, she leads six programs: the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, the Office of eHealth Innovation, the Colorado Disability Funding Committee and Disability Policy, the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs, Serve Colorado, and Aerospace and Defense. 

Dianne is a lifelong Coloradan and longtime Broomfield resident. She was part of Regis University’s first graduating class of women and received a masters degree in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado. Prior to her role as Lieutenant Governor, she worked as chief executive officer (CEO) of Susan G. Komen Colorado and served eight years in the State Legislature, representing Broomfield, Superior, and parts of Erie and Westminster. Throughout her service, Dianne was highly regarded for her success working across the aisle to pass legislation advocating for people with disabilities, expanding access to health care, and supporting Coloradans’ access to quality cancer screenings and treatment. 

In 1988, Dianne was a single mom raising her two daughters here in Colorado when she received a terminal breast cancer diagnosis and was told she had five years to live. Since her first diagnosis, Dianne battled cancer three more times and survived when many people feared she wouldn’t live to see her daughters grow up. Her personal experience with cancer inspired her to make it her life’s work to ensure every Coloradan has access to affordable, high quality health care.

In her free time, Dianne enjoys ballroom dancing, taking after her father who was known for his eagerness to get on the dance floor, even on his 95th birthday. She is a proud grandma and enjoys sharing home cooked meals with family and friends.

2024 Alliance Legislator of the Year

Senator Barbara Kirkmeyer is a 4th-generation Coloradan who has lived in Southern Weld County for over 35 years. Kirkmeyer has two daughters and six grandsons. Kirkmeyer received a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Colorado – Boulder in 1980 and received her teaching certificate from the State of Colorado that same year. Prior to her time in office, Kirkmeyer co-owned and operated a dairy farm and was a small business owner for over 15 years.

Kirkmeyer started her service to her community in 1992 after organizing her neighbors to fight the placement of four regional solid waste facilities in her community. From there, she ran for the Weld County Commission, serving from 1993 until 2001, when she was chosen to serve in the administration of Governor Bill Owens as the Acting Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). After leaving her position with DOLA, Kirkmeyer again ran to become a Weld County Commissioner, being elected in 2008 and serving until she was elected to the State Senate in 2020. During her time as a Weld County Commissioner, Senator Kirkmeyer received numerous awards and accolades such as Commissioner of the Year (1993 & 2019) from Colorado Counties, Inc., and being named one of the “40 Top Women in Energy” (2015) by the Denver Business Journal.

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2024 Case Manager of the Year

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2024 Direct Support Professional of the Year

Mamadou Ouattara stands out in a field of compassionate and experienced professionals. Having just passed his 15-year employment anniversary with DDRC, he is known widely for his advocacy, reliability, and positivity. His success as a Direct Support Professional in his role as a Lead Counselor in DDRC’s residential services is evident in his patience, his ability to develop relationships based on individuals’ values and needs, his understanding of a variety of nuanced communication from an array of people, and his consistent willingness to prioritize the needs of the people he supports. There is no question that Mamadou is one of the hardest working professionals at DDRC. And it’s not just that his dedication is above and beyond, it’s how he shows up for the people we support and for his co-workers. He willingly gives of himself for the betterment of the people he supports, for his colleagues, for the organization, and ultimately for our communities. Mamadou truly deserved Alliance’s 2024 Direct Support Professional of the Year Award in recognition of his consistent, valuable contributions to the lives of people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

2024 Advocate of the Year 

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