Recreation

Paradox Sports

OUR MISSION
Paradox Sports is dedicated to transforming lives and communities through adaptive climbing opportunities that defy convention.

WHY CLIMBING?
Our founders believed in the transformational power of climbing—and in sharing the opportunity it offers to be fully present in both mind and body. They also recognized that everyone adapts in climbing through the use of equipment. For people with disabilities, the greatest barrier to enjoying climbing is often not their disability, but the belief that they can’t be climbers. At Paradox, we exist to change that belief, both for our participants and for society as a whole.

WHAT WE DO
Paradox Sports offers accessible climbing opportunities for people with differing abilities, defying the perception that people with a ‘disability’ cannot lead a life of adventure. We provide outdoor rock and ice climbing trips, training and local programs. We are passionate about engaging and welcoming everyone who is interested in participating, and at our core, we believe in building community.

Wilderness on Wheels

Wilderness On Wheels is a small 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a huge footprint. Our accessible mountain facility has been welcoming thousands of guests each year since 1986. We have accessible hiking on our boardwalks, adaptive fishing at our wheelchair accessible fishing pond, and overnight stays (accessible cabins, huts, and tent sites). Every year, Wilderness On Wheels serves the community and provides nature access to people with disabilities, veterans, people experiencing chronic health issues, and more.

At Wilderness On Wheels, we are breaking down barriers and creating inclusion in the outdoor space. Support our mission by visiting, volunteering, and donating. Read our testimonials to better understand the impact and importance of equal access to nature.

Colorado Rapids Amputee Soccer

In partnership with the American Amputee Soccer Association, the club is excited to announce that we’ve launched the first Colorado Rapids Amputee Soccer Team. The team is dedicated to promoting and developing the sport for the benefit of participants with limb differences.

Amputee soccer is a fast-paced, competitive form of the game designed specifically for players with limb differences. With origins dating back to the early 1900s in post-war Europe and formally developed in the 1980s by American Don Bennett, the sport now spans over 60 countries worldwide and features World Cup competition every four years.

Our roster includes athletes from across Colorado with limb differences, competing locally, regionally, and nationally. We welcome new players of all skill levels, from first-timers to experienced athletes.

Colorado Rapids provide training facilities at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, full Rapids kits, and highlight the team at halftime showcases during MLS matches throughout the season.

Through grants and donations, including a recent Kroenke Sports Charities grant, we provide loaner forearm crutches and cover training equipment for sessions and events.

4those

We did not know what our future held during our 5 months in the NICU, but 4those reminds us that the unforeseen outcomes we face in the NICU are greater and more filling than what they threaten to steal from us.

When we feel burdened by the fear and expectation that there will only be less for our children and ourselves based on the outcomes of extreme prematurity, we actively and intentionally pursue and celebrate the victory found in living life from a posture of more.

Our Mission
4those exists with the charitable intent and purpose to promote the general welfare, provide specific adaptive support, and create access to active adventure, affirmation and community for children and families with a history of and/or current health outcomes and disabilities related to premature and early birth.

We primarily serve families with children born before 28 weeks gestation or under 2 pounds. By current medical standards, a micropreemie is any baby born before 26 weeks gestation and/or weighing less than 1lb 12oz (28oz, 700-800g). Having had a child born at 23 weeks and weighing only 1lb 4oz (560g), we have seen firsthand the impact medically, physically, spiritually and emotionally that a long term neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay can present, and we have observed similar experiences for our preemie community up to the 28-week gestational mark.

We reinsert hope and possibility into the narrative. Though very small, micropreemies are a special kind of mighty! Because of the variety of complex medical outcomes that are possible, the NICU can be a long and scary road filled with fear and uncertainty about an abundant future for these children. Difficult and challenging news seems to come at every turn. Because of what we’ve seen and experienced in our own journey, we believe in affirming the hope and possibility that there can and will be beautiful outcomes along the hard road as well, and we know this from the way we witnessed our son overcome unthinkable odds. We do this by creating an environment rich in adaptive adventure, healing, and life-giving connections for these children and their entire families regardless of the medical outcomes of this season, and by providing specific and intentional spaces for them to heal from and celebrate the journey they have traveled, as well as envision and walk out a beautiful future together.

Our Vision
HEALING FOR PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
4those is a place where parents and caregivers of preterm babies can engage in community around their shared experiences of extreme prematurity after they leave the NICU.

Having experienced the journey of extreme prematurity with our son, we know first-hand what the common narrative offers.

You may be told that life will somehow be “less than” for you or your children.

You may be told that the road ahead might not be worth pursuing. That it will be difficult, challenging, and painful. That this road offers only grief.

We endeavor to show families that it is an option to challenge this thinking, and to face hopeless moments with strength and authority to reclaim the hope that there would only be more for them from pursuing and living out the impossible road.

At 4those, families can come together through tailored programming that engages their stories in a new way and allows them to heal physically and emotionally from an intense and miraculous season of life. We invite you to make memories together that you never thought possible and to reclaim a sense of hope to carry forward into your future.

ADVENTURE AND COMMUNITY FOR FORMER MICROPREEMIES
4those offers opportunities for former micropreemies to thrive in a fully-supported environment to discover new adventures and activities that allow them to freely express themselves in early childhood. These experiences will lay the foundation for them to see what is possible and what they are capable of overcoming. At 4those, they are not simply defined by their extreme prematurity—they are celebrated for every part of who they are.

Watching our son do physical things that we were told would likely never be possible for him has given us more joy and appreciation for our journey than we could have ever predicted. We know that many former micropreemies face a variety of complex medical needs and health outcomes, and we aim to create a space where they can freely live out and express themselves as the insightful, curious, and adventurous little humans that they are.

RADICAL ADAPTIVE REPRESENTATION IN OUR FACILITIES AND PRACTICES
4those serves as an example of how we can make the world more adaptive and accessible for kids and adults with disabilities. As we build out or future vision of providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, our hope is to eliminate barriers to entry for kids of all abilities to experience the full richness of their dynamic lives. 4those will be a beacon for change in the way we perceive the limitations of how to build spaces in the world for all people.

We subscribe to the belief that no one’s life is “less than,” especially based on the outcomes of extreme prematurity. We were faced with very real and very complex decisions around the perceived quality and functionality of our son’s life after he left the NICU.

In those moments, we knew that regardless of his outcome, our son would have a full and beautiful life. We want to bring this same awareness to families facing hopeless narratives in the NICU right now. We want to eliminate thinking that says “This will be too hard for us or for our children” by setting an example of adaptive functionality in our buildings, accessible adventure opportunities for these kids, and a community of like-minded and supportive individuals.

Temple Grandin Equine Center

Integrating Research and Education in Equine Assisted Services (EAS)

The Temple Grandin Equine Center celebrates and elevates the role of the horse in society through the physical and emotional benefits of serving those in need. TGEC integrates research and education to advance evidence-based practices of EAS.

The center is named after Dr. Temple Grandin, who’s contributions to the field of human and animal welfare have shaped numerous industries and fields of study.

We invite you to learn more about our namesake and her work.

What is Equine Assisted Service:
Therapy: Licensed therapy professionals incorporate horses within treatments or interventions to help address individualized goals and improve function, health, and wellness. Types of therapy include:
-Physical therapy
-Occupational therapy
-Psychotherapy
-Speech-language therapy

Learning: Engages people, with the assistance of horses, for the learning process of academic skills, leadership skills, character-building skills, or other relevant life skills. Instructors are not therapists, rather specialized teachers to facilitate learning in:
-Education
-Organizations
-Personal Development

Horsemanship: Horsemanship is an area of non-therapy services adapted from traditional disciplines of horseback riding or unmounted activities. Horsemanship is taught in an adaptive manner for individuals with unique needs. These skills include:
-Adaptive equine sport
-Adaptive and therapeutic riding
-Driving
-Interactive vaulting

Colorado Springs Trackchair Program

The Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (PRCS) Trackchair program aims to provide sustainable access for all to our parks and open spaces. This program utilizes all-terrain mobility devices to assist visitors with mobility challenges in exploring the trails and open spaces in Colorado Springs.

This program, brought to the community through the Recreation Services and Regional Parks, Trails and Open Space Divisions, removes barriers and allows visitors to explore designated trails not suitable for regular wheelchairs. To ensure the safety and comfort of participants, each unit is equipped with rear stability wheels, powered reclining chairs, a four-point harness, and attendant controls for volunteers or PRCS Staff to assist with maneuvering.

Important Information for Hike Participants
-Age and fit requirements: Participants must be at least 5 years old, properly fit into the Trackchair, and be able to use all required safety equipment. If these requirements are not met, staff reserve the right to cancel the hike.
-Weight limit: The maximum weight capacity for the Trackchair is 250 pounds.
-Chair transfers: Park staff are not able to assist with transferring individuals into or out of the Trackchair. Participants must be able to transfer independently or bring at least one companion (maximum of five) to provide assistance during the transfer. At minimum, a companion is required on the hike.

Hike Locations
-Ute Valley Park
-Blodgett Open Space
-Red Rock Canyon Open Space
-Bluestem Prairie Open Space

El Paso County Trailability Program

The Trailability Program at Bear Creek and Fountain Creek Nature Centers and Fox Run Regional Park utilizes “Terrain Hoppers” or off-road mobility vehicles that allow members of the El Paso County community and visiting guests with disabilities to experience trails previously inaccessible to them.

The 1-4-mile trails will take participants through the varying foothills, ponderosa pine, and wetlands habitats, accompanied by their friends and family as well as a Nature Center volunteer or staff member. Participation in the Trailability Program is completely free!

Reservations for 2026 will be offered May 1-October 31 at all locations, morning and afternoon on varying days of the week.

In 2026, the program expanded to include Fox Run Regional Park, supported by grant funding for additional adaptive equipment.

Link On Demand

This app-based on-demand transportation option gives you free access to rides across Lone Tree and Highlands Ranch is now available in Stonegate and Parker. Link On Demand service is now available for trips to and originating in Stonegate and parts of Parker. Check the app for the most up-to-date service area map.

This service is designed to improve local mobility by providing flexible transportation options for people who may not have access to a personal vehicle or traditional fixed-route transit.

Link On Demand is operated in partnership with Via, a transportation technology company, and was initially introduced in Lone Tree to address mobility gaps and expand access to essential destinations.

How to Ride:
Call 719-212-2430 or Download the Link On Demand app for your iPhone or for your Android phone.
Create an account in the app to set up your profile.
Book a free ride by entering your pickup and drop-off location.
Meet your ride when they arrive.
Rides are shared with other passengers when possible to maximize service efficiency. Link on Demand does not operate on Sundays or major holidays. Please see the full schedule below.

Equal Edges with DCFSC

Equal Edges is a brand-new adaptive ice skating team under the Denver Colorado Figure Skating Club designed specifically for athletes who use wheelchairs. This program pairs each adaptive skater with a unified partner - a dedicated teammate who pushes and supports them on the ice - so that every athlete can safely and joyfully experience the freedom, rhythm, and community of figure skating.

Summer Camps and Year-Round Recreation 2026

PEAK Parent Center in Collaboration with Show and Tell have gathered a collection of summer camps, winter activities, and year-round classes for kids and teens with disabilities. Each program is a little different—some are day programs, some are overnight, and the costs, ages, and types of activities can vary. Take some time to explore and see what feels like a good fit for your child and family.

Some camps also offer scholarships or fundraising options to help with costs.
Check with your county's Case Management Agency (CMA) for Medicaid Waiver funding:
(https://hcpf.colorado.gov/case-management-agency-directory).
CMA’s can sometimes provide funds through Family Support Services Program (FSSP):
(https://hcpf.colorado.gov/family-support-services-program-fssp).

Camp ALEC

Camp ALEC began in 2014. This unique camp for children with physical disabilities whose primary communication mode is AAC (augmentative and alternative communication), offers independence and confidence for campers from all over. Camp ALEC is a week of learning together with adult educators and campers under the direction of Dr. Karen Erickson and Dr. David Koppenhaver. Campers spend 3 hours daily in literacy activities in a 1:1 setting. The rest of the day, campers enjoy a typical camp experience which can include rock wall climbing, swimming, talent shows, camp songs, campfires, and more! While campers are enjoying camp experiences, the adult educators are in the classroom receiving further training in a Level 2 Literacy Academy with Dr. Erickson and Dr. Koppenhaver. At the conclusion of camp, families receive informal descriptive reports detailing the results of literacy assessments and trialed interventions to share with their educational teams back home. Educators will leave with a deep understanding of literacy instruction for complex children, which they can share with their colleagues.

Camp ALEC moved to Rocky Mountain Village in Empire, CO, in 2024.

Guess What!?

We have a documentary that is now streaming on Disney+! This mini-doc for their People and Places series features Camp ALEC in full expression. Check out the trailer below, then go watch on Disney+. https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-6b02934d-b6ed-4f6b-8ab0-89149f493709