Adam Bass

Athlete of the Month

Adam has been a Special Olympics Colorado athlete since 2020. He first got involved with powerlifting from Coach Jesse Branham, after recovering from a shoulder injury. Quickly, his passion for powerlifting grew! Since then, he’s found not only a sport he loves, but also a team he’s proud to call family through the Greeley West team.

One of Adam’s favorite Special Olympics Colorado memories is from this pas spring season, when he set the state squat record at 470 lbs. It was his 3rd year in a row setting this record! For him, powerlifting is more than just competition—it’s support, teamwork, and an awesome community to be part of.

Congratulations, Adam, on being recognized as our August Athlete of the Month!

The Decker Family

Family of the Month

The Deckers—David (Dad), Stephanie (Mom), Luke (8), Andrew (5), and Eric (2)—have been part of the Special Olympics Colorado community for just over a year. Their very first event was a track and field meet in May 2024, and they’ve been hooked ever since.

They first got involved through the Red Shirt Rookies program at Fox Hollow Elementary. “They told us that Luke was doing great as an athlete and loved to run, so we got a flyer for the track meet and away we went,” Stephanie shared.

Since then, the Deckers have jumped into all kinds of opportunities. One of their favorite memories is the summer sports camp. “The last two years, Luke and his brother have gotten to try out so many new sports while making a group of new friends,” Stephanie said. The boys have also had the chance to go skiing, play flag football and soccer, and attend events with the Avalanche and Broncos.

For the Deckers, the best part has been the community. “Getting to meet other families and talk about our shared experiences helps us feel like a part of an amazing community and know there are other families like us out there we can lean on if needed,” Stephanie said.

Special Olympics Colorado has made a big impact on their family. “Special Olympics means the world to us. It gives an opportunity to every child no matter who they are, what their background is or how much money they have. They make every child feel so special, like they are the most important child in the world,” Stephanie said. “Special Olympics truly shows everyone how to love one another and treat each other with respect and dignity.”

Congratulations to the Decker family on being recognized as our August Family of the Month!