Imagine immersing yourself in Colorado’s stunning outdoors on a warm summer day, feeling the sun on your skin and the breeze in your hair. Now, imagine doing all of that without the ability to see the vibrant green scenery, your next foot placement on a rocky trail, or the majestic paragliders descending a mountainside. This was the reality for a group from the Colorado Center for the Blind in mid-June as they embarked on an adventure, relying on their other senses to navigate the outdoors.
This energetic group, made up of blind individuals, aged 15 and older from across the country, experienced their first rock-climbing excursion in Golden, Colo. The participants were visiting as part of the Colorado Center for the Blind’s No Limits to Learning program. Based in Littleton, the Center focuses on providing education, training, support and opportunities that empower blind individuals to live independent, fully integrated and productive lives. A testament to their mission, nearly all of the center’s instructors are also blind or have low vision. The No Limits to Learning program specifically aims to build confidence, foster pride in being blind, develop leadership skills and create connections among participants.
Despite being unable to see their surroundings, the group embraced the challenge with remarkable enthusiasm. Their navigation to the rock was made seamless thanks to the incredibly specific and clear directions from instructor Dan Krug, owner of Climb Denver. Krug, who has partnered with the Center for five years, specializes in helping visually impaired individuals learn to rock climb.
“You’re going to take eight steps forward, then reach your left hand to touch the guardrail about mid-waist. Once you touch it, use it to guide you and walk about 200 feet on the pavement.” These types of detailed instructions are key, Krug explains. “If I explain things, and especially over-explain things like I do to them, it’s going to give them more confidence because they’re going to better understand what’s going on. That makes fear, the unknown and anxiety go down, and their performance goes up.”
Colorado Center for the Blind’s ability to offer such enriching outdoor experiences is directly supported by Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program. These grants, available to community organizations helping instill excitement and responsibility for the environment, are designed to dismantle barriers to accessing Colorado’s natural spaces. They create inclusive opportunities for youth and families who have traditionally been excluded from outdoor opportunities — including low-income, racially and ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, disabled and American Indian and Native youth — to engage in outdoor education, conservation opportunities and job training.
The grant program is funded through the Colorado Lottery and since 2022 has already invested over $8.5 million in 141 grant projects across 51 Colorado counties to support outdoor learning opportunities. It has also provided nearly 100,000 experiences in the outdoors for more than 63,000 Coloradans. The $100,000 grant awarded to the Colorado Center for the Blind last year is a prime example of this program in action, fostering greater equity in outdoor recreation.
After a short briefing reviewing instructions and safety tips, the participants rotated for several hours at the crag near Clear Creek in Golden. Some climbed, while others belayed, a role requiring immense trust and constant communication to ensure safety and proper rope management. Cheers of encouragement echoed through the air as everyone supported each other.
Twenty-six-year-old James Forde was one of the first to give it a try. Adventurous and eager, he found the climb challenging but focused on finding holds and being mindful of his hand and foot placement. “I really had to trust the person at the bottom and most importantly myself. That was difficult. But once I got over that, it was easy,” he said.
Forde acknowledged the unique challenges faced by blind climbers. “It was probably harder for us than most people. Others have all five senses and they use each individual one. Since I don’t have my sight, I rely on my other four more than others would,” he explained. His hearing proved invaluable: “I could hear things that motivated me. I could hear everyone cheering for me down there. I could hear the water in the creek behind me, definitely listening for Dan and what he had to say about where I could find holds. So my most dominant sense is probably hearing. I rely a lot on my hearing and asking questions.”
Forde’s perspective on the capabilities of blind individuals is powerful: “We can do anything we set our minds to… And when people ask me if I can do certain things, it’s a very easy question to answer because people have such low expectations already about what we can do. Often, people don’t even think we can walk to the store.” He passionately added, “I want people to know that we are just like everyone. Blind people also want to spend time outside. Climb rocks, white river rafting, go to the beach. Heck yeah, let’s do it all. Let’s go surfing!”
For 17-year-old Samuel Chavez, reaching the top was a moment of immense pride. “I did it. I’m doing it. I’m now a rock climber,” he declared. His favorite part? “Feeling the air and fresh breeze pass me by.”
Chavez candidly spoke about the trepidation many blind individuals feel outdoors. “Being outdoors can be intimidating for us. I’m scared of falling and obviously running into things. There’s things on sidewalks like benches, poles, and I’m always worried a car is going to drive up on the sidewalk and hit me. And I trust that it won’t, but it’s always in the back of my mind. That’s why I prefer to be outside in nature where I can just go and go and not worry so much about getting run over.”
The experience of climbing felt different for Chavez. “I was just trying to have fun but be safe while climbing. It felt so good. And it feels so good to have done it with these guys. I met them all two weeks ago and we’re already pretty good friends. I trust them a lot and it was special doing it with them.”
Nineteen-year-old Lauren Ellis initially felt nervous, but ultimately found deep empowerment. “I accomplished something big today. I feel so good. Today was also my first time hiking on a real trail without a sighted guide. I did it by myself,” she beamed.
The experience allowed Ellis to become more eager to continue her outdoor adventures. “I would do it again. I’m not saying I wouldn’t be scared the next time I get up on that rock, but I will at least know that I can make it to the top if I put my mind to it.” Her newfound confidence extends beyond climbing. “Even off the rock, I’ve become a faster walker in the time I’ve been here. I’ve become more confident and comfortable doing stuff on my own.”
Seventeen-year-old Lizzie Hultgren also gave it her all and reached the top of one rock. Though she didn’t attempt the hardest climb this time, she was happy to give rock climbing a try. “Rock climbing was really fun. I didn’t get to do the hard rock this time, but at least I tried it. I think it’s better to try something and save it for next time than never have tried it at all.” Hultgren particularly enjoyed the sensory experience: “I really liked the feel of the rocks. And I enjoyed the sound of the river next to us. Hearing the water flow was nice — it reminds me so much of going on hikes with my family back home. I’m just really glad that I got this opportunity to come out here. I really enjoyed it.”
Krug continually witnesses the incredible spirit of the Center’s students. “I work with thousands of people every year out on the mountain and the students that come from the Colorado Center of the Blind seem to always have a very positive attitude. Having a positive outlook on what you’re about to do is a big part of being able to accomplish our objectives out here,” he noted.
Krug added, “It’s been proven to me over and over again that these students are just as capable, if not in many cases, more capable. Not only that, but they have a bigger appreciation for these activities too.”
After rock climbing, a group embarked on a nearly two-mile hike, navigating a paved pathway, a metal bridge over a creek, and rocky trails along the side of a mountain. Their long white canes deftly felt for obstacles, while Krug provided clear directions and counselors offered guidance or a helping hand when needed. Passersby often stopped, watching in admiration as these young blind individuals fearlessly embraced the adventurous and physically demanding experience of navigating the outdoors without their sight.
Grantee Spotlight: Colorado Center for the Blind
The Colorado Center for the Blind provides education, training, support, and opportunities that blind individuals and others around them need to empower each blind person to develop a belief in themselves that will lead to living independent, fully integrated, and productive lives. Learn more about the Colorado Center for the Blind.
Written by Maya Saenz. Maya is a Bilingual Communications Specialist at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photos by Forrest Czarnecki.
