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DENVER, CO – The Outdoor Equity Grant Board announced today the newest recipients of more than $1.3 million in Outdoor Equity Grants. The Outdoor Equity Grant Program, created through HB21-1318, will help improve outdoor recreation accessibility for all Coloradans including youth, families and traditionally excluded communities.
“I’d like to congratulate all the incredible organizations that have received an Outdoor Equity Grant, including ViVe Wellness in HD8,” said Rep. Leslie Herod, D-Denver, sponsor of HB21-1318. “When we championed this legislation in 2021, our mission was to open the great outdoors to communities that have traditionally lacked access to Colorado’s unique landscapes and outdoor adventures. Now, organizations in our very own communities and across the state are benefiting from this hard work.”
“For those of us living with a disability, accessing the outdoors can be more challenging, but Outdoor Equity Grants help remove barriers so everyone can get out and explore Colorado,” said Rep. David Ortiz, D-Littleton, sponsor of HB21-1318. “Congratulations to the Colorado Center for the Blind in Littleton on receiving one of the latest grant awards. Grants for adaptive sports programs, educational experiences and recreation opportunities will build a more diverse pipeline of Coloradans working in the outdoor industry–and that’s good for everyone.”
In 2021, the legislature passed HB21-1318, sponsored by Representatives Leslie Herod and David Ortiz to create the Outdoor Equity Grant Program. The program provides funding to organizations that reduce barriers to the Colorado outdoors for underserved youth and their families.
Get Outdoors Leadville! will receive $70,750, and Mountain Dreamers in Frisco will receive $40,000.
“Congratulations to Mountain Dreamers in Frisco and Get Out Doors Leadville!,” said Speaker-designate Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “With these grants, more young Coloradans and their families will be able to experience our incredible outdoor spaces. I’m proud of the Outdoor Equity Grant Program’s work to help more underserved families access the beautiful lands Colorado is known for and live their Colorado dream.”
In Carbondale, the Colorado Rocky Mountain School (HS)2 Program will receive $6,700.
“With these grants from the Outdoor Equity Program, organizations, non-profits and schools will receive new funding to help more Coloradans access the great outdoors,” said Rep.-elect Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs. “I’m excited that young people in Carbondale and on the Western Slope will have new opportunities to get out and explore Colorado’s breathtaking landscapes.”
In Greeley, the Connections for Independent Living will receive $21,000.
“The great outdoors is for everyone, but many Coloradans with a disability face barriers that keep them from experiencing our open spaces,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley. “I’m so proud that Connections for Independent Living in Greeley, which does fantastic work serving and empowering people with disabilities, was included in this round of Outdoor Equity Grants so that more Coloradans will be able to get outside and enjoy everything our state has to offer.”
The Gypsum Elementary School will receive $5,000, and Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports will receive $25,000.
“Improving outdoor equity and accessibility is incredibly important in our communities,” said Rep.-elect Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “With this funding, Gypsum Elementary School and Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports will be able to offer additional opportunities for underserved youth and their families in our communities to experience the world-class outdoor recreation Colorado is known for.”
The Adaptive Sports Association in Durango will receive $50,000; the Montezuma Inspire Coalition in Cortez will receive $70,000; and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe in Ignacio will receive $10,000.
“Adaptive sports and educational experiences help introduce more Coloradans to the great outdoors,” said Rep. Barbara McLachlan, D-Durango. “I’m pleased the Adaptive Sports Association, Montezuma Inspire Coalition and Southern Ute Indian Tribe, among others, will be receiving an Outdoor Equity Grant. Breaking down barriers to accessing the outdoors will help foster a new generation of Coloradans that can enjoy, explore, respect and protect our public lands.”
More than 20 organizations across the state will receive an Outdoor Equity Grant.
Grant recipients also include:
Asian Girls Ignite – Denver – $78,000
Colorado Center for the Blind – Littleton – $50,000
Colorado Discover Ability – Grand Junction – $50,000
Denver Indian Center – Denver – $85,000
Environmental Learning for Kids – Denver – $75,000
Fort Collins Community Action Network – Fort Collins – $50,000
Friends of Youth and Nature – Hotchkiss – $67,180
Haseya Advocate Program – Colorado Springs – $70,000
International Rescue Committee – Denver – $30,000
Northfield High School La Raza Club – Denver – $7,000
Sims Fayola Foundation – Denver – $50,000
Spring Institute for Intercultural Learning – Denver – $40,815
The Nature Connection – Hotchkiss – $40,000
The Storytellers Project – Denver – $50,000
Vibe Tribe Adventures – Aurora – $80,000
ViVe Wellness – Denver – $70,000
Youth Club of Trinidad – Trinidad – $55,363
Youth Seen – Denver – $75,000