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Special Olympics Colorado launches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee

Colorado non-profit’s five-year strategic plan places a critical focus on diversity, equity and inclusion

Denver, CO – June 10, 2021 – Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO), Colorado’s premiere sports organization for individuals with intellectual disabilities, is proud to announce the launch of a new committee. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee (DEI) was concepted to thoughtfully and meaningfully expand Special Olympics programming to underserved populations and communities throughout the Centennial State.

“Special Olympics Colorado is one of the longest tenured proctors of inclusion in Colorado,” explained DEI committee member and Special Olympics Colorado Vice President of Competitive Programs and Unified Schools, Chaka Sutton. “While our work is not defined by borders, sees no color and is free for all individuals with intellectual disabilities, we understand and recognize the significant work yet to do to bring our programming into new communities and geographies.”

Here is Special Olympics Colorado’s DEI vision statement:

“More than 50 years ago, Special Olympics launched a global movement to break down barriers and end discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion remain at the heart of our movement, as Special Olympics Colorado works to continuously embrace unity and create inclusive communities where everyone belongs. We value, celebrate, and respect varying differences, neurodiversities, backgrounds, and perspectives and know that our continued efforts toward greater diversity and inclusion will enrich our organization and world.”

“Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of our organizational strategy,” stated Special Olympics Colorado President & CEO, Megan Scremin. “We are proud of the work that has been done by our athletes, and our staff, to expand opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities and relish the chance to elevate our inclusion efforts in the years to come.”

To learn more about Special Olympics Colorado’s DEI efforts, visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org/DEI

To learn more about Special Olympics Colorado’s five year (2021-2025) strategic plan, click here.

About Special Olympics Colorado:

Special Olympics Colorado provides year-round sports training and competition for nearly 18,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and unified partners. Through the support of an amazing community of coaches, volunteers, donors, sponsors and partners, Special Olympics Colorado is able to offer hundreds of annual engagements, free of charge, to individuals age 2 and up. For more information about Special Olympics Colorado please visit SpecialOlympicsCO.org, or like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter & Instagram, connect with us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

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