Background Statement
Colorado Discover Ability, (CDA), was incorporated in 1980 as the Powderhorn Handicapped Ski Program, Ltd., to provide educational and therapeutic outdoor experiences to the disabled population in western Colorado, through alpine skiing. Prior to CDA, disabled individuals in the Grand Valley had no local options for proper training and guidance in adaptive outdoor recreation. In 1987 we changed our name to reflect our vision to provide recreational opportunities in other sports. We continue to be responsible for the delivery of all adaptive skiing and snowboard instruction at Powderhorn Mountain Resort.
In 2001 we began offering year-round recreational programs. During the spring, summer and fall, our focus shifts to adaptive cycling, water-based recreation, such as river rafting, and related camping activities. We offer summer Day Camps for children and young adults. With the collaboration of St. Mary's Hospital and Family Health West staff, we offer a multi-day Camp Freedom for children age 6-12 with severe disabiliites.
CDA programs encourage clients to participate as independently as possible, regardless of their disability, by using various outdoor recreational experiences. The client is not adapted to the sport, but rather the sport is adapted to the client. Utilizing an array of specialized, adaptive equipment and individualized instruction, all of the sports are tailored to each client's disability.