Existing Young Athletes

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Young Athletes

Resources for Young Athletes

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ABOUT YOUNG ATHLETES

Special Olympics Colorado created Young Athletes in 2008 to reach out to children with intellectual disabilities. Young Athletes is an innovative sports play program for children ages 2-7 with intellectual disabilities and their non-disabled peers. Ultimately, Young Athletes introduces children, and families, to the world of sport, with the goal of preparing them for sports training and competition as they get older.

Improved social skills is another inspiring reason parents enroll their children in Young Athletes. The confidence boost makes it easier for them to interact with other children on the playground, whether or not they have intellectual disabilities.

GOALS OF THE PROGRAM

This program is designed to address two specific levels of play.

  • LEVEL 1:

    Physical activities focused on developing fundamental motor tracking and eye-hand coordination.

  • LEVEL 2:

    Applying these physical activities through a sports skills activity program and developing skills consistent with Special Olympics sports play. The activities will consist of foundational skills, walking & running, balance, and jumping, trapping & catching, throwing, striking, kicking and advanced skills.

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAM

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OBJECTIVE 1

Engage children with intellectual disabilities through developmentally appropriate play activities designed to foster physical, cognitive, and social development.

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OBJECTIVE 2

Welcome family members of children with intellectual disabilities to the Special Olympics network of support.

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OBJECTIVE 3

Raise awareness about the abilities of children with intellectual disabilities through inclusive peer participation, demonstrations and other events.

UPCOMING EVENTS

14 March 2026

Young Athletes “Learn to” Basketball Southeast Region

Young Athletes "Learn to" Basketball Southeast Region Saturday, March 14 REGISTRATION REQUIRED UCCS Gymnasium Special Olympics Colorado's Young Athletes are learning to play Basketball! Please contact Young Athletes Manager, Ashtyn[...]

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Bear Creek Lake Park, 15600 W Morrison Rd.
Lakewood, CO 80228 United States
+ Google Map
21 March 2026

State Basketball Tournament

State Basketball Tournament Saturday, March 21 - Sunday, March 22 Special Olympics Colorado is hosting State Basketball at the Gold Crown Field House! Please contact the Vice President of Sports and[...]

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Gold Crown Fieldhouse, 150 S. Harlan St
Lakewood, CO 80226 United States
+ Google Map
26 April 2026

Southeast Spring Games (Athletics and Swimming)

Southeast Spring Games (Athletics and Swimming) Sunday, April 26, 2026 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM Fountain Fort Carson High School 900 Jimmy Camp Road Fountain, CO 80817 Performance Stations at[...]

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Fountain Ft. Carson HS, 900 Jimmy Camp Rd.
Fountain, CO, 80817
+ Google Map
02 May 2026

Denver Regional Athletics

Denver Regional Athletics  Saturday May 2, 2026 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Littleton High School 199 E Littleton Blvd Littleton, CO 80121 Performance Stations at Denver Regional Athletics Performance Stations[...]

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Littleton High School, 199 E. Littleton Blvd.
Littleton, CO 80121 United States
+ Google Map
03 May 2026

Western Athletics Regional

Western Athletics Regional Sunday, May 3, 2026 8:30 AM - 6:00 PM Stocker Stadium 998 N 12th St. Grand Junction, CO 81501 Young Athletes at Western Regional  "Learn to" Athletics[...]

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17 May 2026

Front Range Soccer

Front Range Soccer May 17, 2026 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM Central Park 9048 M.L.K. Jr Blvd Denver, CO 80238 Performance Stations at Front Range Soccer Performance Stations are events[...]

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Central Park Recreation Center, Central Park Recreation Center 9651 M.L.K. Jr Blvd
Denver, CO 80238 United States
+ Google Map
30 May 2026

State Gymnastics Competition

State Gymnastics Competition

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Incline Gymnastics, 8160 Blakeland Dr., Unit F
Littleton, 80125 United States
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22 August 2026

State Summer Classic presented by Heuberger Subaru

Learn more about the 2025 State Summer Classic presented by Heuberger Subaru!

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Air Force Academy, 2304 Cadet Drive. US Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO 80840 United States
+ Google Map

RESOURCES

Young Athletes includes several resources — a Young Athletes Activities Guide, a Training DVD and a Young Athletes Equipment Kit — to guide family members, educators and other professionals as they conduct Young Athletes activities with their children, brothers, sisters, cousins, grandchildren, students or patients.
An advanced curriculum guide for kindergarten to second grade (ages 5-7) students is currently being developed to ensure continued involvement after completing preschool Young Athletes.

Visit the Young Athlete YouTube Playlist
Join Young Athletes

CONTACT US

Mandi DeWitt

Senior Director of Young Athletes
(720) 359-3117
Email: mmd@specialolympicsco.org

Ashtyn Anderson

Young Athletes Coordinator
(720) 359-3137
Email: aanderson@specialolympicsco.org