How 3 Colorado Towns Are Working to Be Leaders in Accessible Travel

What the Accessible Travel Program will do for travelers to Colorado

Photo: Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock

According to Wheel the World, 1 in 4 US travelers will travel with someone needing some level of accessibility at least once per year. The Accessible Travel Program will help participating cities and towns throughout Colorado better accommodate these travelers, and provide more equitable access to the outdoors.

“This program showcases Colorado’s commitment to ensuring that tourism is accessible to everyone, regardless of physical ability,” Timothy Wolfe, Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, said in a press release. “This pilot initiative represents a significant step in making Colorado a leader in accessible tourism, empowering both visitors and local communities.”

Colorado’s approach to inclusive tourism development is centered around ensuring that all visitors, regardless of physical abilities, can experience the state’s offerings. The Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan is a 10-year plan with the goal of enhancing responsible and inclusive tourism across the state. By collaborating with Wheel the World, Colorado is expanding its offerings for travelers with disabilities and their companions. In April 2024, Visit Colorado Springs was the first destination in the state to receive Wheel the World’s official Destination Verified Seal.

“(The Accessible Travel Program) is a pilot program in partnership with Wheel the World, a private company that verifies businesses and destination accessibility status,” Heidi Pankow of Visit Glenwood told Matador. “This pilot program from the Colorado Tourism Office will allow us to go through a destination accessibility audit, become a verified destination, work with our tourism partners to amplify their accessibility and educate our partners and workforce in the best ways to welcome travelers with accessibility needs.”

Glenwood Springs is one of three Colorado destinations selected to participate in the program, Pueblo and Beaver Creek were also selected and will receive support for current and forthcoming accessibility efforts.

“Basically, through this program we will be able to make what is accessible in Glenwood Springs visible to potential guests,” Pankow says.

Improving accessibility access in and around the selected cities

The Pueblo Riverwalk. Photo: Paul Brady Photography/Shutterstock

“We believe that our residents and visitors alike should have the opportunity to experience the amazing tourism activities & attractions that Pueblo has to offer, regardless of their physical abilities,” says Mandy Thacker, Community Development Coordinator with the Greater Pueblo Chamber. “Accessible travel is not only a fundamental right but also a powerful economic driver.”
Thacker noted that Pueblo’s ADA Committee has already made significant improvements to make the outdoors more accessible in and around the city. The accessible travel program will help Pueblo capitalize on that progress and further improve access.

The selected destinations will receive support for the following:

• On-site accessibility assessments for up to 23 accommodations and attractions.
• Marketing support to list verified accessible sites on Wheel The World’s platform
• Free online training for hospitality professionals on accessible travel best practices
• A final summary report with recommendations for continued accessibility efforts

Glenwood Springs has assembled a “Core Team” of local stakeholders to guide the city through the Accessible Travel Program.

“The first step is to compile the list of 23 sites that will be audited by the Wheel the World team as part of the Verified Destination process,” Pankow says. “In addition to learning what our local offerings are, we will get recommendations from the WTW team on how to improve/increase our accessibility. We will be happy to share the outcomes from the program as we go through the processes, we are very excited to learn and grow.”

Travel to the state should get easier for those in wheelchairs and with physical impairments on a rolling basis going forward, as efforts are enacted and results begin to emerge.

“When destinations and accommodations are designed to accommodate individuals with disabilities, they become more inclusive and attract a wider range of visitors,” Thacker says. “This can boost local economies, create jobs, and foster cultural understanding.”