Who We Are - CO BoS CoC Governance & Strategy

Governing Board

The Balance of State Governing Board (“the board”) up to 25 members who serve on a volunteer basis.  The board is not incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and it is not a legal entity.  

The board is composed of two representatives from each of the subregions within the CO BoS CoC (Pueblo, Grand Valley, Northeastern Plains, Southeastern Plains, Las Animas/Huerfano, Upper Arkansas Valley, San Luis Valley, Western Slope, Southwest Colorado, and Roaring Fork/Eagle Valleys), one representative from the Collaborative Applicant, one representative from the Colorado Division of Housing, one homeless or formerly homeless individual, and at-large members nominated and voted on by regional coalitions and/or BoS Governing Board members.. Up to one of the regional representatives may be a CoC-funded provider. 

The board meets at least monthly. Due to the size and geography of the CoC, Governing Board meetings are conducted via teleconferencing. These meetings will be the monthly board meetings, but will be open to the entire CoC membership. Additionally, there will be one in person, annual board meeting that all board members are required to attend in person. The location and date of this mandatory in-person meeting will be determined annually. 

Regular monthly Governing Board meetings are required for Governing Board Members, and open to all those who wish to attend. 

Governing Board Member Position Descriptions and Election

There are two types of Governing Board Members: Regional members and At-large members.  Regions within the Balance of State are responsible for nominating new Governing Board members, and may determine their own process. All nominated Governing Board members must complete a “Regional Governing Board Member Biography” and submit it to the board when they join. At-Large members may be identified by anyone within the BoS CoC. At-large members must complete the “At-Large Governing Board Member Application” and have a Governing Board member complete the “At-Large Governing Board Member Recommendation Form.” Prospective At-Large Governing Board Members will be voted on and approved for membership by a 2/3 majority of the Governing Board. 

Co-Chair Position Description and Election

The Governing Board has established two Co-Chair positions to provide leadership and guidance to the board.  Co-Chairs are selected by a 2/3 majority vote of the board, via e-mail correspondence or at the annual board meeting.  Co-Chairs serve an initial term of three years, and may serve longer if approved by the board. As of July 2022, Co-Chair terms will be staggered so in a given year only one Co-Chair position turns over.

Note Takers

Interested Board, Committee, and/or CoC members will follow common note taking processes during Governing Board, official and unofficial BoS committee meetings. Duties involve: Learning the BoS Google Drive/available technology structure, setting up meeting agendas/note templates, taking meeting notes, and recording votes. It’s encouraged that this be done in coordination with other note takers in order to lessen the burden on any one note taker. 

For example: Two or three notetakers log-in to a Google Drive Notes document at the same time in order to record notes, picking up if any note takers need to focus on the meeting at hand.

HUD requires each Continuum of Care to select a “Collaborative Applicant” to prepare and submit the annual consolidated application for HUD Continuum of Care funds.  The Governing Board has hereby selected Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) as the Collaborative Applicant.

HUD requires each continuum of care to select an HMIS Lead Agency to administer the HMIS database for the continuum of care. The Governing Board has selected Colorado Coalition for the Homeless (CCH) as the HMIS Lead Agency.  

Mission of Regional Planning Groups

The mission of each regional CoC planning group is to coordinate and improve the region's delivery of housing and services to homeless families and individuals, and to promote collaboration among the various organizations working to address homelessness in the region.

Membership of Regional Planning Groups

Membership in regional CoC planning groups is generally open to any individual or organization that is interested in helping to address homelessness in the region, such as homeless service providers and other non-profit organizations, homeless and formerly homeless individuals, neighborhood groups, churches, the local business community, non-profit housing developers, private foundations, and local government agencies.

Regional Planning Group Meetings

Each of the regional CoC planning groups will convene CoC meetings at least quarterly, with published agendas and meeting minutes.  Agendas and meeting minutes are considered public information and will be made available to anyone who requests copies.  These planning groups will also issue a public invitation for new members at least annually.  At a minimum, the invitation will be sent via e-mail to the full membership of the regional CoC group, plus any other stakeholders that may be interested in attending CoC meetings.

Regional Planning Group Operation and Local Policies and Procedures

Each regional CoC planning group operates autonomously, and may establish its own policies and procedures, as long as they do not conflict with HUD regulations for the Continuum of Care program, or with policies and procedures established by the Governing Board.  Each regional CoC planning group may establish its own procedures for selecting representatives to serve on the Advisory Board, as long as those procedures do not conflict with HUD regulations for the Continuum of Care program.

Click here to access the "How Do I/We Get Involved" section to contact a regional representative!