Showing Abilities in Disabilities: Brent Belisle, 2025 Advocate of the Year
When it came time to choose a career path, Brent Belisle, who has cerebral palsy, knew he wanted his work to center around supporting people with disabilities.
“I want to show people abilities in disabilities and I want to be a role model for people with disabilities,” Brent described. “They can do whatever they want when they put their mind to it.”
This passion has led to nearly 27 years of work in the disability advocacy space, including seven years here at The Arc-JCC&GC—and this Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, that work was recognized with a huge honor! Brent was awarded the 2025 Advocate of the Year award, an award given to one individual each year at the IDD Awareness Day event hosted by Alliance Colorado, JFK Partners, and The Arc of Colorado.
Brent was particularly recognized for codeveloping programs that assist individuals in developing self-advocacy skills, and for his work to protect the rights of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
“I felt honored and humbled,” Brent said of receiving the award.
A decades-long journey
Graduating from the University of Northern Colorado with a bachelor's degree in human services, Brent, an avid skier, began his career teaching at the National Sports Center for the Disabled in Winter Park. Later earning his master’s degree in rehabilitative counseling, Brent worked for 12 years as an advocate at a Denver-based independent living center, helping individuals with disabilities find housing, apply for benefits, and achieve independence.
He later held a role at Via Mobility Services in Boulder, coaching individuals on how to navigate the public transportation system, before coming on-board at The Arc in 2018.
Throughout this time, Brent’s work has been underscored by numerous achievements and contributions—including his 2009 participation in the Annual Conference on Independent Living in Washington, D.C., and a speech at the 2015 Stand Up 4 Transportation Rally in Denver, where Brent advocated to protect funding for public transportation.
Even prior to his career in advocacy, however, Brent was no stranger to the advocacy world, having self-advocated at different points throughout his life. “I had to advocate just for me to get around Denver, and learn how to ride the bus,” Brent recalled.
“He’s never treated himself like he couldn’t do something. He does everything everybody else does,” added Brent’s wife, Carrie Belisle. The couple met in 2005, when Carrie’s aunt was one of Brent’s clients at the independent living center where he worked, and Carrie and Brent began to date shortly thereafter.
“Everywhere we went—Rockies game, when we’d go out to eat—there was always someone who knew him. He has friends that just adore him,” said Carrie, who has been married to Brent since 2010. “He’s one in a million. He’s too good to be true sometimes.”
Sharing lived experience
After starting with The Arc in a community outreach role, Brent moved into a role as a consulting advocate in 2023. His work often focuses on community events and trainings. In those trainings, he shares stories of his lived experience to support those with disabilities and to help inform others in the community so they can better support people with disabilities, too.
Topics that Brent has presented on include housing, social security, food stamps, systemic advocacy, and more, in a variety of settings. Brent has been an integral planner and presenter in The Arc-JCC&GC’s LifeAbility Talks—presentations by advocates to Jeffco Transition Services classes, which serve Jeffco students ages 18 through 21 who have an Individualized Education Program (IEP).
Brent also has presented with other Arc advocates at Crisis Intervention Team trainings, in which law enforcement officers learn to effectively respond when they encounter people who are experiencing a mental health crisis or who have an IDD.
“When we’re doing the CIT trainings, I always think the law enforcement officers get more out of it when Brent can present with us,” said Jessica Shouse, Director of Teen & Young Adult Advocacy and Brent’s Leader/Manager/Coach here at The Arc. “I’ve really enjoyed working alongside Brent and seeing his motivation and commitment to making sure people with IDD always have a voice at the table. He’s always uplifting and positive, and he often turns challenges into opportunities.”
“In his process, he’s very compassionate and understanding,” Carrie agreed. “Brent will go an extra mile. I saw that even when I met him. Even off the clock, if he hears somebody needs help, he’ll try to help someone. It’s not just nine to five—he's always on it.”
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