About Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO)

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

Special Olympics was founded in 1969 on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. Through the power of sports, people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and success. Our athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment — on the playing field and in life. They also inspire people in their communities and elsewhere to open their hearts to a wider world of human talents and potential.

IMPACT

15,000+

ATHLETES

3,000+

UNIFIED PARTNERS

8,000+

YOUNG ATHLETES

21

SPORTS OFFERED

410+

UNIFIED SCHOOLS

1,000+

COACHES

9,000+

VOLUNTEERS

40,000+

ANNUAL COACH HOURS

400,000+

YOUTH IMPACTED STATEWIDE

400+

ANNUAL ENGAGEMENTS, EVENTS & COMPETITIONS

1,800+

ANNUAL HEALTH SCREENINGS

96%

OF ATHLETES
EXPERIENCED IMPROVED
SELF-CONFIDENCE

94%

OF ATHLETES REPORTED IMPROVED SPORTS SKILLS

PROGRAMS

Through athletic, health and leadership programming, Special Olympics Colorado is empowering people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to create a more welcoming and inclusive Colorado.

Sports

Through 21 Olympic-type sports, more than 15,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities around Colorado build self-confidence, healthy habits and life-long friendships.

Young Athletes

Young Athletes was created to welcome young people to the Special Olympics movement through innovative play and an introduction to the world of sports!

Unified Champion Schools

We are taking inclusion to Colorado’s schools! Unified Champion Schools (UCS) works to ensure students of all abilities are accepted and equitably engaged.

Inclusive Health & Fitness

Being healthy is about more than physical fitness. We conduct health screenings, wellness programs and health education with a focus on prevention.

Athlete Leadership

Athlete Leadership Programs (ALPs) empower athletes to create meaningful societal change.

Community Building

Fundraising is the lifeblood that keeps Special Olympics CO thriving! Through strategic partnerships with Law Enforcement, and others, along with events like the Hall of Fame, Polar Plunge Series and more, we continue to drive positive change.

Inclusion is Key – A Message On Racial Injustice

Special Olympics stands in unwavering support of black lives in the U.S. and around the world, and we vehemently reject oppression, exclusion, and injustice.

Our Core Values

(J.U.I.C.E.)

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JOY

We strive to create a culture of fun, excitement and hope, and to promote joy in all that we do.

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UNITY

Together, we work toward shared goals and achieving a common mission by fostering teamwork, trust and understanding.

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INCLUSION

We value and promote equity, acceptance and respect amongst people of all backgrounds, talents and abilities, and we work to inspire others to do the same.

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COMMUNICATION

We encourage an environment committed to sharing ideas and information openly, honestly and respectfully.

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EXCELLLENCE

We continually seek to inspire and achieve the highest standards of excellence in all that we do.

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