What Colorado Discover Ability does

Colorado Discover Ability (CDA) is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered at 601 Struthers Avenue in Grand Junction, Colorado, founded in 1980 (originally as the Powderhorn Handicapped Ski Program) and rebranded in 1987 to reflect an expanded year-round adaptive outdoor recreation mission. The organization delivers adaptive outdoor recreation programs to individuals with physical, cognitive, developmental, visual, and hearing disabilities ages 4 and up, plus veterans, schools, service agencies, and community groups in Western Colorado. Core programming includes Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding (one-on-one lessons at Powderhorn Mountain Resort), Team Powderhorn (the largest Special Olympics winter team in Colorado, with ~28 athletes and ~20 volunteer coaches), an adaptive Cycling program along the Riverfront Trail, and Summer Adventure — an 8-week multi-activity summer program covering rafting, paddleboarding, horseback riding, sled hockey, and hiking.

The underlying capability stack combines a substantial adaptive equipment fleet (recumbent tricycles, sit-skis, bi-skis, ski bikes, Sno-Gos, outriggers, sliders, tandem bikes, hand cycles) with a trained volunteer workforce credentialed through SafeSport training and background checks, supported by a small 3-person operations staff and a 5-member Board of Directors. Technology infrastructure is limited to commodity web tooling (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, WAI-ARIA) and third-party SaaS for donations (DonorSnap), registration (LGL Forms), waivers (Waiverfile), and volunteer scheduling (SignUp.com).

The business model mixes three revenue streams: unit-priced program fees ($200 per adaptive ski lesson, $25 per cycling session, $20+ per Summer Adventure day, $450 Team Powderhorn season pass), charitable donations including a newly introduced tiered Monthly Partner Club subscription ($25/$50/$100 per month), and affiliate-referral inflows via City Market Community Rewards and Colorado Gives. Financial assistance and state disability waivers (CES, SLS) are accepted to widen access. Distribution is direct-to-participant and phone-based, with community- and partner-led GTM leveraging relationships with Powderhorn Mountain Resort, Special Olympics Colorado, Move United, Western Colorado Community Foundation, United Way of Mesa County, and approximately a dozen other local partners. Geographic reach is concentrated in Mesa County and the broader Western Colorado region.

Name

Colorado Discover Ability

Legal name

Colorado Discover Ability

Website

https://cdagj.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1980

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Colorado Discover Ability is a Grand Junction, Colorado 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1980 that delivers year-round adaptive outdoor recreation programs — adaptive skiing, cycling, Summer Adventure, and the Special Olympics-affiliated Team Powderhorn — to people with disabilities, veterans, schools, and community groups across Western Colorado.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adaptive Outdoor Recreation Services

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (71394)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Adaptive & Para-Sport Training Programs (MPAKAJAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Winter Adventure & Mountain Resorts (Ski, Snowboard, Snow Activities) (THAAAAAK), Adventure Multi-Sport Camps & Skills Academies (THAAAKAM), Instructor-Led Skills Academies (Climbing, Paddling, Mountaineering Schools) (THAAAOAI)

Keywords

• Adaptive outdoor recreation
• Adaptive ski instruction
• Special olympics training
• Disability recreation programs
• Therapeutic adventure services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Junction

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Program Fees: CDA generates revenue through participant program fees for adaptive skiing, snowboarding, cycling, and Summer Adventure programs. Fees vary by program and include equipment and instruction where applicable.
2. Donations: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CDA relies on charitable donations from individuals and organizations. Donations support equipment, program costs, and special events. Monthly recurring giving options are available through the donation form.
3. City Market Community Rewards: CDA participates in the City Market Community Rewards program, allowing shoppers to support the organization through everyday grocery purchases.
4. Colorado Gives: CDA receives support through Colorado Gives, a statewide giving platform with opportunities to increase impact during Colorado Gives Day in December.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Colorado Discover Ability delivers year-round adaptive outdoor recreation programs for individuals with disabilities in Western Colorado. Its core offerings include one-on-one adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, the Special Olympics Team Powderhorn competitive alpine team, adaptive cycling along the Riverfront Trail, an eight-week Summer Adventure program with multiple outdoor activities, and custom group programming for agencies, schools, and veteran organizations — all supported by specialized adaptive equipment and trained volunteers.

Product overview

Colorado Discover Ability operates as an adaptive outdoor recreation nonprofit offering a portfolio of seasonal programs for people with disabilities. The core offerings include: Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding lessons (individual lessons at Powderhorn Mountain Resort), Team Powderhorn (Special Olympics competitive ski/snowboard team), Cycling (adaptive tricycles along Riverfront Trail), and Summer Adventure (8-week multi-activity summer program). The organization also provides Custom Group Programming for agencies, schools, and veteran organizations, supported by a Financial Assistance Program for participants needing fee support. Programs are coordinated through CDA's office with trained volunteer support and specialized adaptive equipment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding

Quantifiable outcome

• Participants learn to ski independently, operate boats and rafts, build tents, and develop confidence
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

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

• Powderhorn Mountain ResortcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDA's Adaptive Skiing and Snowboarding program is hosted at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which provides mountain terrain and environment. Team Powderhorn trains at Powderhorn, and the resort provides equipment rentals through partnership. CDA office is located on the southwest side of the Powderhorn building.
• Special Olympics ColoradocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDA sponsors Team Powderhorn, the largest Special Olympics ski race team in Western Colorado. Athletes compete in Special Olympics alpine events at regional and state competitions.
• Move UnitedmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMove United is a national adaptive sports organization that supports CDA's mission and programs.
• Western Colorado Community FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerWCCF supports CDA's work as a regional community foundation serving Western Colorado.
• River City SportplexmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDA offers sled hockey at River City Sportplex, utilizing their ice rink facility for adaptive winter sports.
• United Way of Mesa CountymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerUnited Way of Mesa County supports CDA as part of their community investment in health and wellness programs.
• Harmony AcresmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHarmony Acres provides horseback riding activities for Summer Adventure participants. Located in Mesa County, they offer animal interaction experiences with a 200 lbs weight limit for riding.
• Grand Junction SubaruminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Subaru dealership supports CDA as a community partner.
• REI Co-op of Grand JunctionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerREI supports CDA as an outdoor recreation community partner.
• One RiverfrontminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOne Riverfront supports CDA's river-based programs and outdoor recreation initiatives.
• Kiwanis of Grand JunctionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal Kiwanis club supports CDA as a community service project.
• Disabling BarriersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDisabling Barriers supports CDA as an organization addressing barriers for people with disabilities.
• Friends of Highline State ParkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFriends of Highline State Park collaborates with CDA for Summer Adventure activities at the state park.
• City MarketmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCDA participates in the City Market Community Rewards program, allowing shoppers to support the organization through everyday grocery shopping by selecting CDA as their Community Rewards organization.
• Colorado Gives FoundationmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCDA is listed on Colorado Gives, a statewide giving platform. Additional impact opportunities are available during Colorado Gives Day in December.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Move United: National umbrella organization for adaptive sports in the U.S., already a CDA partner. Comparable as the broader network governing many local chapters and an aggregator of adaptive sport programming nationally.
• Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute: Part of Allina Health, offering adaptive sports and recreation programs including skiing, cycling, and water sports for people with disabilities. Larger incumbent with hospital-affiliated resources and broader geographic reach.
• Disabled Sports USA: National nonprofit providing adaptive sports opportunities including skiing and cycling. Broader incumbent comparable to CDA through shared mission, programming taxonomy, and partnership networks.

Direct peers

• Adaptive Sports Center (Crested Butte): Colorado Mountain-adaptive recreation nonprofit delivering year-round skiing, cycling, and adventure programming. Highly comparable in geography, programming mix, and resort-anchored operating model.
• Challenge Aspen: Colorado-based adaptive recreation nonprofit offering ski, snowboard, and summer programs for people with disabilities. Highly comparable in geography, disability focus, and reliance on a partner mountain resort.
• Achieve Tahoe: California/Tahoe adaptive ski and snowboard nonprofit operating at a partner mountain resort. Direct comparable on the skiing-specific program, equipment model, and lesson pricing structure.
• National Ability Center: Park City, UT-based nonprofit providing year-round adaptive outdoor recreation including skiing, cycling, and summer adventure programs. Closest direct comparable to CDA in mission, programming mix, and operating model.
• Eagle Mount: Bozeman, MT-based adaptive recreation nonprofit delivering skiing, horseback riding, cycling, and summer adventure programming. Similar scale, multi-sport portfolio, and regional/Mountain West footprint.
• Achilles International: Nonprofit providing adaptive running, cycling, and outdoor programs for people with disabilities. Comparable mission and volunteer-driven operating model, though focused on endurance sports rather than mountain recreation.

Others

• Special Olympics Colorado: Statewide governing body for Special Olympics in Colorado and an existing core CDA partner through Team Powderhorn. Comparable as the upstream organization enabling one of CDA's largest programs.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/CDAadaptivesports
• Instagraminstagram.com/coloradodiscoverabilitygj
• Xx.com/ColoradoDiscov1
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/colorado-discover-ability

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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 Discover Ability