Why We Need Outdoor Equity Programs

Colorado has some of the best access to beautiful landscapes of any of the states in the West. 

It's home to four National Parks, nine National Monuments, 44 Wilderness Areas, 14.5 million acres of National Forest and Grassland, and over 637 peaks above 13,000ft. 

And these landscapes sustain a thriving outdoor recreation economy and culture. According to a Park's and Wildlife Study, Colorado's landscapes generate over 65 billion dollars annually.

These lands are public and belong to all of us to enjoy, and we all deserve to reap the benefits of time spent outdoors. The issue is not everyone has the same access. 

Due to a variety of socio-economic factors, many people from underserved communities don't enjoy equal access. Natural spaces can be far away and time consuming to get to, gear can be expensive, and some outdoor spaces can feel unwelcoming or intimidating. 

Historically, many low-income and rural communities, people of color, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people with disabilities have faced significant barriers in accessing the wild spaces in Colorado and all over the West.

Everyone should have access to these benefits. 

In 2025 state legislatures have a chance to make that happen.  

In 2021, Colorado created the Outdoor Equity Grant program to help underserved youth access the state’s vast open spaces, and this year WRA, alongside a coalition of supporters and grant recipients, is looking to expand funding for this wildly successful program.  

Since 2021, Colorado has awarded more than $8.5 million to programs that provide outdoor education and recreation opportunities to underserved youth and their families. To date, these grants have supported meaningful outdoor experiences for more than 65,000 Colorado youth in 51 out of 64 counties. 

On today’s episode of 2 Degrees Out West, learn what Colorado has been doing to help get kids outside, and how we could do even more

2 Degrees Out West is a podcast from Western Resource Advocates, an environmental conservation organization that's focused on the Interior West. WRA works across seven states to protect our climate, land, air, and water. WRA protects and advocates for Arizona, Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Nevada, Montana, and Wyoming.

2 Degrees out West is a podcast for advocates and decision makers who want to fight climate change and its impacts across the West.

On 2 Degrees Out West we talk with climate experts and advocates to bring you stories, experiences, and insights from their work in the places we call home.

It is Hosted by Dave Papineau

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