Colorado Hosts First National Travel Week Dedicated To Accessible Tourism

In a landmark move for inclusive tourism, the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), in collaboration with Wheel the World, has hosted the United States’ first Travel Week dedicated entirely to accessible travel. Held in Denver from September 9–12, 2025, the curated four-day event brought together more than 20 accessibility advocates, journalists, influencers, and tourism professionals to showcase Colorado’s commitment to inclusive tourism experiences.

The initiative represents the first event of its kind for both the CTO and Wheel the World, a leading platform for accessible travel experiences. It underscores Colorado’s strategic goal of establishing itself as a national model for accessibility in tourism.

“The Polis-Primavera administration is committed to building a Colorado for All,” said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. “Colorado is proud to lead the way in making travel inclusive so that everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the beauty, adventure, and culture our state has to offer. This gathering shows what’s possible when we commit to breaking down barriers and ensuring that travel is truly for all.”

A showcase of inclusive experiences

The program spotlighted Denver as a model for accessible tourism through a rich itinerary of adaptive and cultural activities. Highlights included:

• Adaptive kayaking at Bear Creek Lake Park
• A multi-sensory arts experience at Meow Wolf Denver
• Inclusive yoga and sound healing with Guided by Humanity
• A dedicated accessibility workshop at Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre

These experiences not only demonstrated Colorado’s physical accessibility infrastructure but also its community-wide embrace of inclusive values.

Also read → Greater Miami & Miami Beach achieve Certified Accessible Destination Status through partnership with Wheel the World

“Colorado is committed to making our state welcoming for all travelers, regardless of physical ability,” said Timothy Wolfe, director of the Colorado Tourism Office. “The conversations and experiences shared during this four-day event demonstrated how accessible travel fosters connection and opportunity. We are proud to build on this foundation as we continue Colorado’s national leadership in accessible travel.”

“This gathering was about more than exploring Colorado’s natural beauty and engaging culture,” said Co-Founder and CEO of Wheel the World Alvaro Silberstein. “It was about connection and progress. The Colorado Tourism Office is confidently showing what’s possible when destinations lead with accessibility and prioritize the experiences of travelers with disabilities.”

Building on ongoing accessibility initiatives

The Travel Week builds upon the Accessible Travel Program launched by CTO and Wheel the World in August 2024. Now entering its second year, the program is focused on auditing and enhancing accessibility across Colorado’s key destinations, ensuring visitors of all abilities have equal access to tourism services and experiences.

The initiative comes as the travel sector faces increased pressure to deliver on inclusive tourism. According to Open Doors Organization (2023), 87% of travelers with disabilities view travel as central to their quality of life. Yet, 76% cite lack of staff training and assumptions about their needs as more limiting than physical infrastructure itself (WTTC).

Colorado’s leadership is further affirmed by its ranking as the best U.S. state for people with disabilities, according to the 2025 AAA State of Play report.

By hosting this first-of-its-kind event, the Colorado Tourism Office is setting a precedent for how public-private partnerships can deliver meaningful change in accessibility standards across the travel industry.

For travel and hospitality professionals, Colorado’s accessibility-driven model offers a blueprint for inclusive destination management—balancing infrastructure, cultural understanding, and stakeholder collaboration. As global conversations on equity in tourism evolve, such initiatives illustrate how accessibility is no longer a niche concern but a central component of tourism development and competitiveness.

The article Colorado hosts first national Travel Week dedicated to accessible tourism first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.