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$20,000 Goal
Every step forward at Ascendigo Autism Services is powered by you — our community of supporters, adventurers, and believers who know that growth happens when we GO BIG.
At Ascendigo, “GO” is more than a word — it’s a movement.
We help individuals on the autism spectrum GO Higher in confidence, GO Farther in independence, and GO Anywhere their dreams take them. Each “GO” celebrates progress, connection, and possibility — fueled by compassion, innovation, and your generosity.
When you GO BIG with your gift this year, you help us:
Empower children and adults through adventure, therapy, and skill-building programs.
Expand access to vital early childhood, vocational and residential services.
Create inclusive communities where neurodiverse individuals can thrive.
2025: A BIG Year of Growth & Impact
Your support made 2025 a year of transformation.🌟A New Home for Growth
We opened our thoughtfully designed new facility — a space built for accessibility, comfort, and independence. Every room, light, and layout was created with the sensory and functional needs of individuals with autism in mind.
🌄 Adventures that Change Lives
This summer, our Adventures team served 104 participants — including 22 new families from across the U.S. and abroad. Through outdoor recreation, skill development, and connection, every climb and paddle represented courage and growth.
🌻 Programs for Every Life Stage
Our new adult programs — After Hours and Adult Afternoon Adventures — welcomed 16 new participants into enriching courses that build skills, confidence, and friendships.
đź’Ľ Inclusive Employment Opportunities
Our Vocational team partnered with local employers like Lift Up, the Element Hotel, and Garfield County Libraries to open doors to paid and volunteer work for adults on the spectrum.
🎓 Preparing the Next Generation
Through partnerships with five local high schools, over 35 students received pre-employment training — from job readiness to college exploration.
đź’™ Building Community Awareness
Through our Inclusion Advocate campaign, businesses across the Roaring Fork Valley proudly displayed their commitment to neurodiversity, creating a more inclusive region for all.
Looking Ahead at 2026: Let's GO Together!
The journey doesn’t stop here — it’s just getting started.
When you GO BIG with Ascendigo, you’re not just giving — you’re growing with us. Together, we’re building a future where every individual on the spectrum can GO Farther, GO Higher, and GO Beyond toward a life of independence, purpose, and joy.
In 2026, your support will help Ascendigo GO Far with new programs, partnerships, and initiatives that reflect both our commitment to meeting the needs of our community and our vision that expands opportunity across the spectrum:
🏡 GO Live. New Residential Program: Women’s House
Launching in January 2026, this home will provide a supportive and empowering living environment tailored to the unique needs of women with autism. Here, residents will GO Live independently and confidently—building community, self-reliance, and belonging.
🌱 GO Learn. Early Childhood Expansion
We’re introducing the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM), a play-based, naturalistic intervention for children from birth to age six. By weaving learning into everyday activities and partnering with parents, this model helps young learners GO Learn, GO Communicate, and GO Grow—setting the stage for lifelong success.
🛠GO Work – Partnership with TACT (Teaching the Autism Community Trades)
With 90% of autistic adults unemployed, our partnership with TACT is helping to change the story. Together, we’re creating a Learning Lab at Ascendigo’s 695 Buggy Circle campus—a hands-on space where individuals can GO to Work by developing technical skills, practicing workplace readiness, and building sustainable careers. With TACT’s 83% job placement rate (compared to 10% nationally), this collaboration turns potential into purpose.
These initiatives are just the beginning. Together, we’ll GO Beyond what’s expected—expanding opportunity, deepening inclusion, and elevating the spectrum for years to come.
Let’s keep the momentum going. Let’s GO Together. GO Big. GO Beyond.
Our mission is to elevate the spectrum by empowering people, inspiring lives, and shattering expectations.
Ascendigo Autism Services is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in the Roaring Fork Valley that provides programs and services to youth, teen and adults with autism. The prevalence of autism continues to grow. According to recently released data from the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring (ADDM) Network, about 1 in 36 children has been identified with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Ascendigo was founded in 2004 as a summer sports camp for children with autism by leading autism advocates and local Colorado parents. These parents believed that all children with ASD should have access to a full and rich life experience, including recreation in the outdoors and the many benefits that exposure to the natural environment and participation in sports can provide. Originally a summer sports camp, Ascendigo has since expanded to offer year-round outdoor recreational options including ski school and winter sports, a comprehensive life skills and residential program for adults, and crucial early intervention/behavioral therapies for children. In addition, we train school personnel, community members, other autism service providers and law enforcement agencies in behavioral supports for those with autism.
Each of our programs are grounded in best-practices and evidence-based teaching strategies from academic and professional fields including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), Naturalistic Developmental Behavior Interventions (NDBI), therapeutic recreation, sports instruction and experiential education.
Thank you for your generosity!
Organization name
Ascendigo Autism Services, Inc.
other names
Extreme Sports Camp
2004
Tax id (EIN)
20-0940000
Category
Diseases, Disorders & Medical Disciplines, Recreation & Sports, Youth Development
Organization Size
Large Organization
Address
695 Buggy CircleGarfield County, CO, US