Colorado Youth Outdoors

What Colorado Youth Outdoors does

Colorado Youth Outdoors (CYO) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2001 by brothers Tom and Bob Hewson, headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The organization's mission is to build family and youth relationships through traditional outdoor recreation activities, primarily fishing, archery, trap shooting, small-bore rifle, survival skills, and fly tying. CYO's flagship offering is the CORE (Creating Outstanding Relationships through Education) program, a 12-week semester course that pairs teenagers with parents or adult mentors across the listed disciplines, complemented by Intermediate CORE advanced courses, youth day camps (Summer, Spring Break, and Pathfinders Leadership), K-12 field trips, and corporate team-building events. All programming integrates the proprietary PACD teaching methodology (Participate, Appreciate, Communicate, Dedicate), a structured relationship-building conversation toolkit developed over 25 years.

CYO's underlying "technology" is primarily physical infrastructure rather than software. The organization has invested over $10 million into its 220-acre Swift Ponds campus since 2008, including Richardson Hall (8,000 sq ft office/classroom), Erion Pavilion, a half-mile 23-station 3D archery range, a 5-house trap range, 12 active fishing ponds, and accessibility features such as a wheelchair-accessible dock. In July 2025, CYO expanded its footprint with the acquisition of the 131-acre Tepee Ring Ranch from Chevron in Weld County, placed under a conservation easement held by Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust in February 2026. CYO also operates a satellite presence in Colorado Springs, delivered through partner venues including Colorado Parks & Wildlife, Cheyenne Mountain Shooting Complex, and area high schools, with an active search for a 100+ acre permanent regional campus.

CYO's revenue model is diversified across program fees (CORE classes at $300/pair for 12 weeks; summer camp at $450/week; Pathfinders at $200/week), fundraising events (approximately 70% of the annual budget across five annual events: The Maverick clay shoot, Camo Cup golf, 3D Archery Tournament, The Scoot gala, and NoCo Winter Wonderland), corporate sponsorships ranging from $500 to $25,000 across presenting/gold/silver/bronze tiers, individual donations including a $35/month Ambassadors recurring program and legacy giving instruments, foundation grants, and branded merchandise. The primary customer segment is families with teens (5th-12th graders), supplemented by school groups, corporate teams, and military families (particularly in Colorado Springs). The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer via website registration, augmented by event-driven community engagement, school partnerships, and word-of-mouth referrals. CYO has served 142,325 participants since founding, with 13,278 served in 2025 and 1,646 in early 2026; scholarships cover approximately 25% of CORE participants.

Name

Colorado Youth Outdoors

Legal name

Colorado Youth Outdoors

Website

https://coloradoyo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Youth Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2001 that builds family and youth relationships through traditional outdoor recreation (fishing, archery, shooting sports, survival skills) at a 220-acre Fort Collins campus and Colorado Springs satellite, serving 13,000+ participants annually via CORE classes, camps, and field trips.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Outdoor Recreation & Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Educational Services (61), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Outdoor & Wilderness Education Schools (Field-Based Learning) (THAAAOAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ), Life Skills & SEL Camps (Confidence, Executive Function, Social Skills) (EDAMALAO)

Keywords

• Youth outdoor recreation
• Family relationship programs
• Outdoor education classes
• Youth summer camps
• Corporate team building

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Collins

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: Fees charged for CORE classes, camps, and field trips. CORE classes are $300/pair for 12 weeks. Summer camp is $450/week. Scholarships available for 25% of participants.
2. Fundraising Events: Annual events including The Maverick (clay shoot), Camo Cup (golf), 3D Archery Tournament, The Scoot (country gala), and NoCo Winter Wonderland (light show). These events constitute approximately 70% of CYO's annual budget.
3. Corporate Sponsorships: Event sponsorships ranging from $500 to $25,000, with presenting, gold, silver, and bronze tiers. Programming sponsorships also provided in equipment form.
4. Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individuals, including the CYO Ambassadors program ($35/month minimum). Legacy giving through Set in Stone memorial stones, bench stones, and structure naming opportunities.
5. Merchandise: CYO swag store selling branded merchandise.
6. Grants: Funding from foundations and organizations including grants for conservation easements and youth programming.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Colorado Youth Outdoors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that builds family and youth relationships through traditional outdoor recreation. Its flagship CORE (Creating Outstanding Relationships through Education) class is a 12-week parent-teen program teaching fishing, archery, shooting sports, and survival skills using the proprietary PACD (Participate, Appreciate, Communicate, Dedicate) teaching model. Supporting offerings include youth day camps, Intermediate CORE advanced courses, school field trips, and corporate team-building events.

Product overview

Colorado Youth Outdoors operates a single integrated program platform centered on family relationship-building through outdoor recreation. The core offering is the CORE (Creating Outstanding Relationships through Education) class—a 12-week semester program pairing teens with adults in archery, fishing, and shooting sports activities. Supporting programs include Intermediate CORE advanced courses, youth day camps (Summer, Spring Break, Pathfinders Leadership), and field trips/team building. The portfolio also includes fundraising events (The Maverick, NoCo Winter Wonderland, The Scoot, Camo Cup, 3D Archery Tournament). Activities span spin/fly fishing, archery, trap/small bore shooting, survival skills, fly tying, and BB guns. All programming incorporates the proprietary PACD (Participate, Appreciate, Communicate, Dedicate) teaching model. The organization maintains a 220-acre Fort Collins campus (Swift Ponds) and a Colorado Springs location.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CORE Class Flagship 12-week parent-teen outdoor recreation course at Fort Collins and Colorado Springs teaching archery, fishing, trap shooting, and survival skills, built on CYO's proprietary PACD (Participate, Appreciate, Communicate, Dedicate) relationship-building model. Priced at $300/pair; scholarships available for 25% of participants.
• Intermediate CORE Advanced follow-up courses for CORE graduates offering deeper instruction in rifle, archery, shotgun, fly tying, and fly fishing, limited to 10 adult-teen pairs per session with culminating guided experiences.
• Summer Day Camp

Quantifiable outcome

• 142,325+ participants served since 2001
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Colorado Cattleman's Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026CCALT holds the conservation easement on Tepee Ring Ranch property, restricting development and permanently conserving the land. Partnership enables continued cattle grazing and research while allowing CYO recreational use.
• ChevroncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025Chevron provided funding for the acquisition of Tepee Ring Ranch (131 acres in Weld County, near Nunn, CO) through their Comprehensive Wildlife Plan. Chevron also funded transaction costs for the conservation easement held by Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust. CYO received 131 acres from Chevron in October 2025 for conservation easement.
• Trust for Public Land (TPL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2025TPL facilitated the acquisition of Tepee Ring Ranch by CYO, working with Chevron funding to enable the land transfer.
• ScheelsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for The Maverick (2027) and Outdoor Traditions Invitational. Scheels Johnstown sponsors Family Fishing Derby. Contributed $10,000 for CYO programming in Colorado Springs when breaking ground on Interquest Marketplace store.
• Bank of ColoradomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for The Scoot annual gala event. Recognition on CYO website, social media, and at event.
• High Country BeveragemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Camo Cup golf tournament and NoCo Winter Wonderland. Multiple-year sponsorship commitment.
• Scheels JohnstownminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Family Fishing Derby.
• Teton Waters RanchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Family Fishing Derby.
• Safari Club International Colorado ChapterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContributed $10,000 to support CYO operations in Colorado Springs.
• Safari Club InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMartin Trujillo serves as Safari Club International board member. SCI Colorado Chapter supports CYO Colorado Springs.
• Outdoor BuddiesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeterans and mobility-impaired groups that bring guests to Swift Ponds for outdoor recreation access.
• Colorado Parks & WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCPW SE Regional Office partnership in Colorado Springs. Classes held at CPW facilities. Martin Trujillo previously affiliated with CPW for six years.
• Control Service CenterminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGrant provider covering registration fees for Intermediate CORE Shotgun class.
• St. Peter's Fly ShopminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGuided fly fishing trip provider for Intermediate Fly Fishing. Gift certificate provider for Intermediate Fly Tying completion.
• Cheyenne Mountain Shooting ComplexminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorColorado Springs partner location for trap shooting classes.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS): Premier U.S. nonprofit outdoor education school teaching wilderness and leadership skills. Comparable as a youth/adult outdoor skills education provider; differs in expedition-based delivery rather than parent-teen classes.
• Girl Scouts of the USA: National youth-development nonprofit with outdoor programming, badges, and family engagement. Comparable as a relationship-focused, parent-and-me outdoor skills curriculum nonprofit, though much larger and broader in scope.
• Outward Bound USA: National outdoor education nonprofit offering expeditions and skills-based courses (wilderness, climbing, paddling) for youth and families. Comparable activity mix and youth outdoor instruction focus, but expedition-based rather than CYO's parent-teen weekend model.
• YMCA of the Rockies: Colorado-based nonprofit running outdoor family camps, youth programs, and outdoor recreation on large campuses. Comparable as a regional outdoor family/youth education nonprofit with similar activities (archery, fishing, sports) and a similar capital-intensive camp model.
• Boy Scouts of America (now Scouting America): National youth-development nonprofit centered on outdoor skills, character, and family/mentor relationships through activities like archery, shooting sports, camping, and fishing. Directly comparable activity set and parent-teen engagement model, though operating as a much broader national membership organization.

Direct peers

• Camp Fire National Headquarters: National youth-development nonprofit focused on outdoor recreation, social-emotional learning, and family/community building. Comparable as a similar mission-driven, relationship-centered youth outdoor education nonprofit.
• Avid4 Adventure: For-profit operator of youth outdoor adventure day camps (climbing, paddling, mountain biking, hiking) across multiple U.S. regions. Closest for-profit analog in terms of multi-activity outdoor recreation instruction for youth and families, though lacking CYO's relationship-building PACD framework.

Regional players

• Ducks Unlimited: Conservation nonprofit running youth and family outdoor programs (hunting, conservation education) across the U.S. Overlaps with CYO's fishing/hunting skills education and conservation easement partnership model (Trust for Public Land, Chevron).
• Boys & Girls Club of Larimer County: Fort Collins-area youth development nonprofit offering after-school and outdoor programming. Comparable regional youth-services nonprofit footprint in CYO's home market; broader than outdoor recreation specifically.

Emerging players

• Wildlands Restoration Volunteers: Colorado-based nonprofit engaging volunteers (including youth) in conservation and outdoor stewardship projects. Adjacent peer sharing CYO's outdoor access/conservation mission and Colorado footprint (and a similar Chevron/Trust for Public Land land-deal context).

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@coloradoyouthoutdoors3039
• Facebookfacebook.com/ColoradoYouthOutdoors
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-youth-outdoors
• Instagraminstagram.com/colorado_youth_outdoors
• TikToktiktok.com/@coloradoyouthoutdoors

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Colorado Youth Outdoors