The City of Colorado Springs recognizes the 35th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), reflecting on significant strides the Office of Accessibility has made in improving access to parks, trails, businesses and essential city services for all citizens and visitors.
The Office of Accessibility works towards compliance with Title II of the ADA to coordinate the City’s efforts for ADA implementation. The Office works with advocacy and community-based organizations serving persons with disabilities to foster an all-encompassing environment where individuals of all abilities can thrive.
Recent accessibility enhancements throughout the City include a nearly half-mile ADA-compliant trail through Garden of the Gods Park, featuring a compliant shuttle stop and a parking lot with designated accessible parking stalls. The City invested in large, universally accessible playgrounds at Panorama, Acacia, and Venezia parks, with upcoming projects slated for Rampart Community and Greyhawk parks.
The dedication to accessibility extends across various attractions, including improvements at Helen Hunt Falls, Rock Ledge Ranch, and the City community centers. This year, the track chair program will provide more than 200 opportunities for individuals with mobility challenges to experience the beauty of hiking trails in Blodgett and Red Rock Canyon open spaces. Additionally, the City implemented significant infrastructure improvements, including 20,000 new or retrofitted ADA-compliant curb ramps over the past 10 years.
As the City celebrates the 35th anniversary of ADA, it reaffirms its commitment to fostering an inclusive community. Ongoing efforts will continue to identify and implement improvements that make the city more accessible for everyone. The aim is for all residents and visitors to partake in the joy and beauty of the city, regardless of their abilities.
For more information on the City of Colorado Springs' ADA initiatives, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/accessibility.