Colorado’s Outdoors Are for Everyone—Let’s Make Sure They Stay That Way

If you’ve spent any time outside in Colorado, you know how special it is here. From winding trails through the pines to quiet fishing spots and open spaces full of wildlife, there’s something for everyone—or at least, that’s the goal.

Back in 2015, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) adopted a 10-year strategic plan that laid out their priorities through 2025. One of the big takeaways from that plan was a clear commitment to making outdoor spaces more accessible. That means not just protecting the land and wildlife, but making sure that people of all abilities can enjoy the outdoors in meaningful ways.

The plan called for more accessible and inclusive recreation opportunities across the state. It emphasized improving infrastructure, offering programs that welcome a wide range of people, and taking a hard look at what barriers might be keeping some folks from participating. In short, it wasn’t just about checking a box—it was about real access and inclusion.

And we’ve seen progress. Many state parks now have accessible trails, fishing piers, and campsites. Some, like Staunton State Park, even have track chairs available for visitors who use wheelchairs, opening up parts of the park that were once totally out of reach. You can read more about Staunton State Park and their climbing opportunities on a previous blog HERE. Interpretive programs are starting to offer sensory-friendly options or adaptive gear, and more parks are being designed with universal access in mind from the start.

That said, there’s still work to do. Not every park or program is truly usable for everyone, and physical access is only part of the picture. Making outdoor spaces truly welcoming means listening to the people who use—or want to use—those spaces and learning what’s working and what’s not.

That’s where you come in.

CPW is working on its next 10-year strategic plan, and they’re asking for community input. This is your chance to speak up about what’s important to you, especially if you’ve experienced barriers in the outdoors or work with communities that do. Whether it’s better signage, more accessible trailheads, inclusive programming, or simply being seen and heard in decision-making, your perspective matters.

Colorado’s parks and wild places are for all of us. Let’s make sure the next decade reflects that.

Want to weigh in? Visit the CPW website for the community feedback form for the next strategic plan. It only takes a few minutes—and your voice could help shape the future of outdoor recreation in Colorado. Contact me if you have any questions on the form!