Staunton State Park - Year 2 Reflections
Once again, I found myself early on a crisp August morning staring up at the epic rock formations of Staunton State Park. I was back for the Third Annual Adaptive Recreation Days, hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife—and it was awesome.
Last year, I came mostly as a volunteer. This year, I took a new leap and set up my own booth. My goal? Share resources and services available in Colorado for people with disabilities—because one thing I hear all the time is that finding accurate, detailed information about accessible trails and outdoor programs is way harder than it should be.
Sounds simple enough, right? But it was my first event representing my new accessibility consulting business, and there were a lot of little details to figure out. I agonized over T-shirt designs, giveaways, and what activities to offer. Thankfully, my partner Jordan—who works in outdoor events—stepped in with some pro tips. For example, did you know you should bring a chair? I almost didn’t and would have been standing for six hours straight. And my last-minute tent sign? I accidentally ordered it way bigger than I thought. But it looked fantastic, so I’m counting that as a win.
I was lucky to be set up next to Jeremy Siffuentes, Workforce Development and ADA Accessibility Coordinator for Colorado Parks & Wildlife. We hadn’t seen each other since the Partners in the Outdoors Conference, so it was great to catch up. I also reconnected with Kristen Waltz, Track Chair Program Manager at Staunton and the powerhouse organizer behind this event. Her hard work on marketing and advocacy really showed—attendance was noticeably higher than last year.
We also made new friends: Sunrise Medical (off road power wheelchairs), Wilderness on Wheels (accessible camping), Paradox Sports (adaptive climbing), and Greg Sakowicz (aka @fatmanlittletrail) who’s doing great work to get more people outside. Events like this aren’t just for the public—they’re also a powerful way to strengthen partnerships, share new ideas, and keep our passion for accessibility alive. This work thrives when we come together.
From the moment the event started, we were talking with community members, listening to their stories, and gathering input on what “accessible” means in outdoor spaces. The feedback was clear: people want shade, accessible parking and restrooms, adaptive gear on-site, and more immersive experiences—not just a short loop trail. But the biggest theme I heard, over and over, was the need for better access to information about where and how to recreate. People want to know what to expect before they go. We in the outdoor industry can—and must—do a better job of building real connections with the community so our efforts truly meet their needs.
To spark ideas, we had a crowdsourcing board where participants shared their favorite accessible recreation spots in Colorado. Popular mentions included Lair O’ the Bear in Jefferson County Open Space, Arkansas Headwaters for adaptive mountain biking, Reiling Dredge Trailhead in Breckenridge for fall colors, and Blodget Open Space in Colorado Springs.
In return, we shared maps of local state parks with accessible trails marked, introduced people to COTREX and its growing database of accessible trails, and highlighted Boulder OSMP’s accessible opportunities. By the end of the day, we’d swapped dozens of new ideas, resources, and connections.
I’m so grateful I was welcomed back this year in a more prominent role. As an accessibility consultant, I see my role as being an ambassador—helping connect the outdoor recreation community to the people who most need those connections. This event was a perfect opportunity to do exactly that. If you care about accessibility or simply want to explore adaptive outdoor activities in Colorado, I can’t recommend this event enough. Staunton State Park is stunning, the variety of programs is inspiring, and the people you meet will leave you feeling energized and hopeful. I can’t wait to see what next year brings—and I hope to see you there.