Program

Colorado Discover Ability

601 Struthers Avenue Grand Junction, CO 81501

Active since 1980


About

Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) was created by special education teachers 45 years ago to provide outdoor recreation to people with disabilities. CDA started initially to provide opportunities for skiing, and has since expanded to add cycling, summer camps, sled hockey, river rafting, and other water sports.

Categories ProgramAdaptive SportsAdultsChildren & YouthOlder Adults

Program Details

We believe in the transformative power of recreation. Our mission is to provide inclusive outdoor opportunities that empower individuals of all abilities to experience the joy and freedom of adventure. Our programs include skiing and snowboarding, cycling along the scenic Riverfront trail, sled hockey, rafting the Colorado River, and summer adventure camps. The latter includes paddle boarding, kayaking and other water sports, disc golf, horseback riding, river rafting, and camping.

Every individual has unique needs, so we provide specialized adaptive equipment and trained volunteers to make participation in each of these activities possible. All of our programs weave instruction, safe practices, and stewardship of our public lands into fun activities. Our participants report experiencing greater mental health, confidence, friendship, and—above all—joy. 

Cost to Participate
These participation costs are set to be affordable to our participants. Over 75% of our participants pay little or no cost thanks to grants and scholarships. Below are the costs for each activity:

  • Cycling - $25
  • Hockey program - $25
  • Summer adventures - $20
  • Overnight camping - $460
  • Rafting - $85
  • Team Powderhorn - $400 (season)
  • Skiing - $200 

Our budget reflects gap costs for our programs to include the administrative, equipment, and overhead costs for running our highly specialized programs, which are considerably higher than what we can charge participants. We use those numbers in our grant writing, and are available on request.

Contact Kady Ostowick, Executive Director (970) 257-1222 Colorado Discover Ability

Populations Served
All people with disabilities, including children, youth, adults, and veterans. 

Staff Composition
Executive Director 
Operations Manager 
Program Director 
Program Manager 
100+ Volunteers 

As the number of participants continues to grow, we will need to add an additional program manager and a volunteer coordinator to our staff. We currently have a waiting list for all of our summer programs. 

Services Offered
Activities include: 

  • Skiing and snowboarding
  • Cycling
  • Summer adventures, including horseback riding, rafting, and other water sports, disc golf, cycling, and camping 

We provide adaptive equipment and one-on-one coaching and assistance to each individual. 


Research Connections

We have recently started partnering with the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy programs at Colorado Mesa University. Although they have not used our program for research, they have reached out to our participants for other research such as adaptive travel.

Recent Case Studies

A participant in the National Experiential Learning Program does field work in a grassy plain spotted with flowers at Grand Teton National Park under a blue sky. Behind them in the distance is a vast mountain range.

Program

Groundwork USA's National Experiential Learning Program

Groundwork USA’s National Experiential Learning Program is a summer program that brings youth and young adults from communities across the Groundwork Network to some of our nation’s most iconic National Parks where they connect to the land through experiential learning, workforce development, stewardship, and recreation.

During adaptive racing, a CDA staff member guides a participant wearing a racing bib number as they slide down a snowy hill in a bi-ski.

Program

Colorado Discover Ability

Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) was created by special education teachers 45 years ago to provide outdoor recreation to people with disabilities. CDA started initially to provide opportunities for skiing, and has since expanded to add cycling, summer camps, sled hockey, river rafting, and other water sports.

A young participant shows excitement for the bike ride; he is accompanied by a program staff wearing a neon vest.

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