Rocky Mountain National Park, CO
Colorado
Veteran Outdoor Resources
This section contains organizations and opportunities for outdoor excursions and nature therapy programs that are accessible in the state of Colorado.
This page will be updated continually. The purpose of this page is not to vouch for any specific program or service, but to provide as much information and opportunity for veterans as possible. Any products or services that these programs or organizations claim to provide should be verified directly by the veteran seeking to access the service.
If you have any information about veteran outdoor resources in your state or at the nationwide level that you don’t see listed here, please reach out!
Adaptive Adventures
https://adaptiveadventures.org/
Colorado Office: 1315 Nelson Street Unit 1 Lakewood, CO 80215
Adaptive Adventures’ mission is to provide progressive outdoor sports opportunities to improve quality of life for children, adults and veterans with physical disabilities and their families. They provide opportunities for veterans with programs in adaptive skiing / snowboarding, cycling, climbing, and water sports.
Anglers of Honor
https://www.anglersofhonor.org/
Anglers of Honor works directly with veterans with disabilities and their families to aid in their recovery and acclimation to life after active duty. We also work with individuals suffering from spinal cord and traumatic brain injury to provide accessible and therapeutic fishing opportunities. Through the Anglers of Honor program, participants and their families learn the basics of fly fishing which they get to put to immediate use on premier private fly fishing water, restored to allow access for individuals with disabilities.
American Veterans Outdoors
American Veteran Outdoors (AVO) is a non-profit organization that was founded by veterans for veterans with a mission of showing appreciation for those who have served, or are currently serving in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families. Our goal is to get these veterans back in the game of life by reintroducing them to the outdoors and all its benefits, providing quality outdoor activities, primarily concentrated in hunting and fishing trips.
Dive Pirates
Dive Pirates supports, trains, equips and provides dive travel to veterans with disabilities through Adaptive Scuba Diving. Trips are available across the country including AL, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IN, LA, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NM, NY, OH, TN, TX, VA.
Dragonfly Retreats
Making a positive impact in the lives of veterans of all ages by providing hope, healing and empowerment over traumatic events. Dragonfly Retreats offers five day holistic therapeutic retreats for veterans suffering with symptoms of anxiety and depression due to traumatic events. These retreats are funded by grants and donations, which means there is no cost to the veteran, beyond travel expenses. Our goal is to help veterans heal so they can spread their wings and soar into the future and realize their goals.
Freedom Hunters
Freedom Hunters reflects the outdoor community’s appreciation to our troops by taking: select active duty and combat veterans, families of fallen heroes, children of the deployed, as well as those wounded or injured, on outdoor adventures. Empowered by help from conservation groups, outfitters, corporations, government agencies, and landowners, Freedom Hunters honors individuals from all branches of the military. CO activities based in Elizabeth & Fort Collins, CO.
Harmony Acres Equestrian Center
https://www.harmonyacresec.org/
Our vision is to create a community-based equestrian center where every individual can be offered the opportunity to connect with horses or other animals in a therapeutic environment. We believe horses can help bring out the best in everyone, and help us connect with our natural joy, strength, and purpose. Provides equine therapy for veterans in an outdoor setting.
Huts For Vets
Beautiful mountain scenery and camaraderie with fellow veterans at a 10th Mountain Hut in Aspen, Colorado – all at no expense to the veterans we serve. Our wilderness-based programs incorporate rigorous hikes through beautiful mountain scenery, camaraderie with fellow veterans at the 10th Mountain Huts of Aspen, Colorado, delicious and nutritious food, and moderated discussions from a notebook of assigned readings. Veterans are encouraged to apply to our summer-only programs, which are gender specific in order to encourage open dialogue.
No Barriers USA
We not only take veterans on amazing outdoor expeditions, we give them the tools and skills needed to live a life of purpose. Participants complete a 3-phase process that spans before, during, and after their expedition. Teachings focus on the No Barriers Life—seven elements that provide a framework to help you be your best self. We ask our participants to go through a three phase process with us for their expedition. Phase one focuses on trip prep and defining your purpose, whereas phase two is the expedition itself. The real magic happens in phase three, when we focus on meaningful engagement post-expedition. During this phase, participants create and share pledges with one another, building a support-network to help them actualize their goals and hold each other accountable.
Outward Bound
https://www.outwardbound.org/outward-bound-for-veterans/
Outward Bound provides outdoor education and expeditions across a diverse range of locations and skill-sets. They provide free trips for veterans including expeditions for rock climbing, backpacking, sailing, and dog sledding, just to name a few. Their trips provide a way for veterans to reconnect with their veteran peers in an outdoor team-oriented environment, which is often lacking for former service members when they leave the service. Veterans can apply for Outward Bound programs on their website. CA, CO, FL, MD, ME, MN, NC, OR, PA, TX, & WA
Patriot Anglers
https://www.patriotanglers.us/
THE PATRIOT ANGLERS is comprised of Veterans, military family members, and patriots who possess a unique understanding of the toll that military service can take on a family, and being from Colorado, we also understand the value of time spent outdoors. The Patriot Anglers strengthens bonds and uplifts U.S. military families past and present, by providing a unique Rocky Mountain fishing experience for military veterans in Colorado.
Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports
We believe that adaptive recreation can positively impact the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. STARS programs help individuals to discover the outdoors and teach skills to overcome health challenges as well as develop confidence, self-esteem and independence. Providing various outdoor opportunities for veterans in skiing, cycling, therapeutic horseback riding, kayaking and other activities to empower veterans with disabilities.
Team River Runner
https://www.teamriverrunner.org/
Offers weekly paddling sessions in more than 60 locations across the nation. Team River Runner is more than an adaptive sports program; it is an opportunity for veterans, their family members, and everyone in the community to participate It’s an opportunity to enjoy nature and realize its social, physical, and emotional benefits, whether it’s tackling whitewater rapids or paddling on peaceful flat-water. Currently operates in AL, CA, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KY, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, NH, NV, NY, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV & WI.
Vail Veterans Program
https://www.vailveteransprogram.org/
Mission: Provide military injured and their families with innovative and transformational programs that build confidence and improve lives. Vision: To cultivate a nationwide community of veterans and their families that provides innovative, world-class programs, rooted in the mountains, to strengthen lifelong relationships and reinforce purposeful lives.
Veterans Expeditions
https://www.vetexpeditions.com/#/
Our mission at Veterans Expeditions is to empower veterans to overcome challenges associated with military service through outdoor training and leadership. Providing opportunities and training for veterans in rock climbing, hiking, and mountaineering.
Warrior Bonfire Program
https://warriorbonfireprogram.org/
The Warrior Bonfire Program is committed to providing opportunities that improve the lives of Purple Heart recipients on their life long journey of recovery and healing, with focus on creating activity based, stress free environments that promote camaraderie and therapeutic healing. We place warriors, wounded in combat with others of a similar experience, in a stress free, safe and secure setting which promotes wellness and health. We are committed to providing an atmosphere in a simple and straightforward manner by allowing our excursions the freedom to be shaped and changed by the participants to be exactly what they need it to be. Providing veterans with opportunities in adventure based trips across the country for therapeutic healing: hunting, fishing, skiing, surfing, horseback riding, caving, whitewater rafting, and hiking. Operating in CO, LA, MS & TX.