There’s a moment at the DMV that holds more power than many realize. Between updating our address and choosing a photo, there’s a small box asking if we want to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor. For many Coloradans, that box represents something much bigger than a simple yes or no, it’s a chance to save lives.

We’re launching a powerful new campaign to remind residents just how meaningful that choice can be. The “Check the Box” campaign brings together prominent voices from across our state, including former Denver Broncos player and NFL Super Bowl champion Ryan Harris alongside local college athletes, to inspire more people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

Rocky Mountain Strong: A Community Built on Compassion

The campaign captures what we call the “Rocky Mountain Strong” spirit—that unique combination of strength, compassion, and resilience that defines our communities. It’s the same spirit that has already motivated more than 60% of Colorado residents to check “yes” at the DMV.

“Rocky Mountain Strong’ reflects the strength, compassion, and resilience of the Coloradans that make life-saving organ, eye and tissue donation possible,” said Jennifer Prinz, our president and CEO. “‘Check the box’ is how we put that spirit into action. By making the decision to check the box ‘YES,’ you’re giving hope to the more than 1,300 neighbors waiting for a life-saving transplant right here in Colorado.”
Think Inside the Box

The campaign’s tagline, “Think Inside the Box,” emphasizes just how simple—and powerful—this decision really is. One box checked can create a ripple effect of hope throughout our community. The numbers tell the story: for every YES box checked, there are 75 neighbors who have a chance to heal. These are people who ride down the same streets as you, root for the same teams, and call Colorado home. Simple for you. Life-changing for them.

Celebrating Those Who Make It Possible

Throughout November, we’re hosting events and ribbon cuttings at DMV offices across Colorado to unveil the new campaign materials and honor the DMV employees who play a vital role in saving lives every single day.

“The Division of Motor Vehicles is proud to partner with Donor Alliance on the ‘Check the Box’ campaign” said Electra Bustle, Senior Director of the DMV. “Every day, our dedicated team witnesses the profound impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By simply checking ‘YES’ at the DMV, you are making a life-saving decision that offers hope and healing to countless individuals and families in our community. It’s a small action with an immeasurable impact.”

The campaign will reach Coloradans through billboards, digital advertising, social media, and community partnerships. You’ll also notice refreshed materials at DMV locations throughout the state, making it easier than ever to understand the impact of your decision.

How You Can Help

Everyone can register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Whether you’re renewing your license at the DMV or want to register online, the process is straightforward. Visit DonorAlliance.org or DonateLifeColorado.org to learn more and register today.

Right now, more than 1,300 of our Colorado neighbors are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Your decision to check the box could give them the chance they’ve been waiting for. That’s Rocky Mountain Strong in action.

A record 463 people received lifesaving organ transplants in 2013 thanks to 148 selfless donors in Colorado and Wyoming, according to Donor Alliance, the federally-designated, non-profit organ procurement organization and American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB) accredited tissue bank serving the two-state region. Additionally, a record 1,177 tissue donors provided lifesaving and healing tissue, providing bone and skin grafts that will impact thousands of more lives. These milestones are a result of the high percentage of Colorado and Wyoming residents who have chosen to give the gift of life by registering as organ, eye and tissue donors.

Through the generous gifts of donors and their families, Donor Alliance facilitated 148 organ recoveries in 2013, resulting in 463 people in Colorado and throughout the country being removed from the transplant waiting list. The year yielded more transplants than ever before by 3.8%, exceeding the previous high set in 2011, and a 26% increase since 2009.

Similarly, the organization worked with more tissue donors than ever, representing a 32% increase since 2009. These generous individuals and their families gave the gift of lifesaving and healing tissues such as skin, bone and heart valves, which will help as many as 100,000 people to regain mobility and have active lives after disease or trauma.

“We are incredibly proud and grateful to have facilitated a record number of organ and tissue transplants in 2013, helping to save and enhance the lives of more patients than ever before,” said Sue Dunn, president and CEO of Donor Alliance. “We never forget that our work is made possible by the selfless donors and their courageous families who make the powerful decision to give the gift of life.”

The Donate Life Colorado Organ and Tissue Donor Registry experienced the highest donor designation rate since the registry’s establishment in 2001. (This is the rate at which individuals join the state donor registry as a percentage of licensed drivers and ID card holders.) At the close of 2013, 67.3 percent of Colorado’s licensed drivers and ID card holders had joined the registry. Similarly, Wyoming’s registry improved to a 59.4 percent donor designation rate from 55 percent at the end of 2009.  Both states continue to hold two of the highest donor designation rates in the nation.

Donor Alliance’s authorization rates also remained among the highest in the country this year at 92% percent. The authorization rates track the number of families saying ‘yes’ to donation of their loved one’s organ and tissues when approached by Donor Alliance staff.

Source: Donor Alliance data

Despite the generosity of donor family members and the efforts of Donor Alliance staff and partner organizations, just over 2,400 people in the area continue to wait for a lifesaving transplant.

Join the 67 percent of Coloradans and 59 percent of Wyoming citizens who have registered to be organ and tissue donors. For more information about organ and tissue donation, please visit DonorAlliance.org. To register to be an organ and tissue donor, please visit DonateLifeColorado.org, DonateLifeWyoming.org or call 303-329-4747 or 1-888-256-4386 for more information.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.

There’s a moment at the DMV that holds more power than many realize. Between updating our address and choosing a photo, there’s a small box asking if we want to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor. For many Coloradans, that box represents something much bigger than a simple yes or no, it’s a chance to save lives.

We’re launching a powerful new campaign to remind residents just how meaningful that choice can be. The “Check the Box” campaign brings together prominent voices from across our state, including former Denver Broncos player and NFL Super Bowl champion Ryan Harris alongside local college athletes, to inspire more people to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors.

Rocky Mountain Strong: A Community Built on Compassion

The campaign captures what we call the “Rocky Mountain Strong” spirit—that unique combination of strength, compassion, and resilience that defines our communities. It’s the same spirit that has already motivated more than 60% of Colorado residents to check “yes” at the DMV.

“Rocky Mountain Strong’ reflects the strength, compassion, and resilience of the Coloradans that make life-saving organ, eye and tissue donation possible,” said Jennifer Prinz, our president and CEO. “‘Check the box’ is how we put that spirit into action. By making the decision to check the box ‘YES,’ you’re giving hope to the more than 1,300 neighbors waiting for a life-saving transplant right here in Colorado.”
Think Inside the Box

The campaign’s tagline, “Think Inside the Box,” emphasizes just how simple—and powerful—this decision really is. One box checked can create a ripple effect of hope throughout our community. The numbers tell the story: for every YES box checked, there are 75 neighbors who have a chance to heal. These are people who ride down the same streets as you, root for the same teams, and call Colorado home. Simple for you. Life-changing for them.

Celebrating Those Who Make It Possible

Throughout November, we’re hosting events and ribbon cuttings at DMV offices across Colorado to unveil the new campaign materials and honor the DMV employees who play a vital role in saving lives every single day.

“The Division of Motor Vehicles is proud to partner with Donor Alliance on the ‘Check the Box’ campaign” said Electra Bustle, Senior Director of the DMV. “Every day, our dedicated team witnesses the profound impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. By simply checking ‘YES’ at the DMV, you are making a life-saving decision that offers hope and healing to countless individuals and families in our community. It’s a small action with an immeasurable impact.”

The campaign will reach Coloradans through billboards, digital advertising, social media, and community partnerships. You’ll also notice refreshed materials at DMV locations throughout the state, making it easier than ever to understand the impact of your decision.

How You Can Help

Everyone can register to be an organ, eye, and tissue donor. Whether you’re renewing your license at the DMV or want to register online, the process is straightforward. Visit DonorAlliance.org or DonateLifeColorado.org to learn more and register today.

Right now, more than 1,300 of our Colorado neighbors are waiting for a life-saving transplant. Your decision to check the box could give them the chance they’ve been waiting for. That’s Rocky Mountain Strong in action.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.

Join Donor Alliance at Colorado State University as the Rams take on the UNLV Rebels! We’re teaming up with CSU Athletics to raise awareness for organ, eye, and tissue donation. Fans can learn more about the impact of donation and register as donors on-site.