Therapeutic Recreation Program of Colorado Springs

03/24/2026

Snowy peaks, crisp mountain air, and a team of huskies leading the way! ❄🐾

Our group looks forward to dogsledding in Breckenridge with Good Times Adventures every winter, and this is one of our most popular annual trips!

Dogsledding is the kind of adventure that feels straight out of a winter dream. There is nothing quite like the sound of paws on fresh snow and the beauty of the mountains surrounding you. It's not just a ride - it's a scenic experience full of laughter, adrenaline, and lots and lots of tail wags!

02/27/2026

It's time to wrap up Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Month 2026! 🎉

We are excited to end this month with a spotlight on some new updates with the TRP for 2026:
🌟 We're now on Instagram! If you haven't already, follow us at .
🌟 One-on-one fitness programming began this season and will continue throughout the year.
🌟 We are always trying new programs or bringing back old programming favorites. This season, Ballet Basics, Express Yourself, and trips to the Globetrotters game and the Aquarium are already planned!
🌟 We will be starting an e-newsletter later this year to share monthly updates and highlights.

This month and every month, we celebrate the power of recreation in changing and in empowering lives!

02/26/2026

Today we are highlighting the power of adaptive equipment in Therapeutic Recreation!

At the TRP, adaptive equipment supports nearly all of our programs and gives participants the opportunity to experience recreation through the use of:
- Adaptive bikes, recumbents, and handcycles 🚴
- Sit-skis 🎿
- SoloRider golf carts with swivel seats ⛳️
- Adaptive hand grips ✋
- And so much more!!

These tools create pathways to equal access, meaningful leisure, and the chance for everyone to participate fully. Inclusion isn’t optional; it is the the heart of what we do!

02/23/2026

A few weeks ago we learned about the history of Therapeutic Recreation in our nation. Now, let's learn about how long the TRP has been a part of the City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services and how it has evolved through the years...

* In the early 1960's, the Parks and Recreation Department began assisting with outdoor activities and summer camps for persons with disabilities.
* In the early 1970's, the TRP began operating out of White House Ranch (now known as Rock Ledge Ranch).
* In 1979, two full time employees were hired and services were expanded and run out of the Otis Park Special Recreation Center.
* In the early 2000's, the TRP increased inclusion services and support for individuals with disabilities to participate in general recreation activities offered through youth and adult sports as well as community centers. TRP offices were relocated to the Sports office in Memorial Park.
* In 2008, the TRP partnered with U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, to become the first Paralympic Sport Club of the Pikes Peak Region, offering adapted sport programs for youth, adults and injured service members.
* In 2022, TRP offices were relocated to Westside Community Center.
* Today, the TRP has 4 full time staff members, offers programs in five core areas, partners with the National Inclusion Project and hosts intern students from around the country.

02/20/2026

Today we celebrate a fighter who shows up, works hard, and proves that confidence is built one punch at a time. 🥊

In our 1:1 individualized boxing and fitness sessions, progress looks like:
✔️ increased strength
✔️ improved coordination
✔️ boosted confidence
✔️ big smiles!

Recreation therapy creates opportunities for success, and we are happy to share with you just one powerful example.

So proud of the work being put in every single session. 💪

02/18/2026

Interested in learning more about the Westside Community Center campus where our offices are located? Join us tomorrow night, Thursday, February 19, for the Campus Collective from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. in the main building.

🤔Everyone asks: "What is the Westside Community Center?"
OR "What services and programs do you have?"
AND "What is in all these buildings?"

Well, you have asked and we have multiple answers! Campus Collective is a networking event for the community by our campus community. This is special event will be a great way for anyone to come see what all our tenants, partners and programmers are all about!

When: February 19th at 5:30 PM
Free and open to everyone!

02/17/2026

Want to learn more about the City of Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) where specialized programming, skill-building, and fun come together?!✨

1️⃣ A Program with Purpose
The TRP provides opportunities for youth and adults with disabilities to acquire skills through participation in a variety of meaningful leisure experiences.

2️⃣ Diverse, Specialized Programming
From arts and culture to community integration and leisure education, outdoor adventures, social enrichment, and sports, fitness, and aquatics, the TRP offers activities that focus on enhancing abilities and building connections.

3️⃣ Certified Professionals
The TRP team is led by staff who are Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS) and are educated in adapting activities and providing a safe, goal-focused space.

4️⃣ Investing in Future Professionals
The TRP offers internship opportunities for students studying recreational therapy which provide hands-on experience and mentorship from certified professionals.

5️⃣ Training for Awareness and Understanding
The TRP also leads Ability Awareness Trainings - a chance for individuals to learn about disability etiquette and to build a more inclusive, understanding environment.

Find out how you can participate, volunteer, or get involved at https://coloradosprings.gov/trp!

02/12/2026

✨Program Highlight✨

Each winter the Colorado Springs Therapeutic Recreation Program partners with the Breckenridge Outdoor Education Center (BOEC) to give individuals with disabilities the opportunity to ski through the beautiful Colorado mountains. With adaptive equipment and expert instructors, these ski experiences are designed to build confidence, strengthen independence, and create pure joy on the slopes, no matter your ability level.

Stay tuned this month to learn more about the adaptive equipment we use in our programs!

02/09/2026

Did you ever wonder how Recreation Therapy began? Take a look at the historical highlights of the profession!
• 18th - 19th Century Origins: Early pioneers like Philippe Pinel and Benjamin Rush introduced "work treatment" (humane care using purposeful activity) for mental health patients in the 1780s-1790s.
• 1930s - 1940s: The American Red Cross hired hospital recreation workers in 1931. Following World War 2, recreation therapy became a key rehabilitation component in Veterans Administration hospitals.
• 1950s - 1960s: The term "therapeutic recreation" was popularized, and professional organizations like the National Association of Recreational Therapists (NART) formed, later merging into the NTRS (National Therapeutic Recreation Society) in 1966.
• 1980s - Present: The American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA) was founded in 1986 to represent the profession. Modern therapeutic recreation emphasizes holistic, evidence-based interventions in both clinical and community settings to improve quality of life and functional independence.

Today, therapeutic recreation is a recognized allied health discipline, focused on using activity-based interventions to improve the physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning of individuals with illnesses or disabling conditions.

How long has the TRP been a part of the City of Colorado Springs? Stay tuned this month, and learn more!

02/04/2026

🎉 10 Fun & Fascinating Recreational Therapy Facts 🎉

1️⃣ Recreational Therapy (RT) is a recognized healthcare profession, provided by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS).

2️⃣ Play is powerful—games, art, music, and sports can improve physical, cognitive, emotional, and social functioning.

3️⃣ Recreational Therapy serves individuals across the lifespan from children to older adults.

4️⃣ Interventions can support neuroplasticity and help the brain rebuild connections after injury or illness through meaningful activity. 🧠

5️⃣ Leisure skills = life skills. RT helps people find hobbies that can promote independence and long-term quality of life.

6️⃣ Animals can be part of the team! 🐕 Animal-assisted therapy is commonly used in recreational programs.

7️⃣ Recreational Therapy can boost motivation and improve participation in rehab and treatment.

8️⃣ Adaptive recreation and sport programs foster inclusion, confidence, and community integration. ♿🏀

9️⃣ Laughter, music, and fun activities can reduce stress and improve mental health.

🔟 Recreational Therapy has been changing lives for over 100 years!

💙 Because meaningful fun leads to meaningful progress!

02/02/2026

It is Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Month 2026!

Each February is dedicated to celebrating our field, our professionals, our partners, and our participants! This is an opportunity to learn more about Therapeutic Recreation or Recreational Therapy, and we are focusing the 2026 month on showing how TR is "More than Fun"!

Each week in February, we will be sharing information on Facebook AND Instagram about what TR is and what the Therapeutic Recreation Program (TRP) is as well as some fun highlights from our ongoing programs!

We're looking forward to a great month together virtually celebrating TR! Check back in throughout the week to learn more and to share your comments and ideas as well!

Therapeutic Recreation Association

01/30/2026

Help us in welcoming our winter/spring 2026 Therapeutic Recreation interns! 👋🏼

Nora (left) is from Dayton, Virginia and a senior at Longwood University. She chose to major in Therapeutic Recreation because she is passionate about how recreation opportunities are empowering ways to increase independence for folks with disabilities. In her free time, she loves painting, hiking, walking, and anything outdoors! Fun fact: Nora has a twin and has studied abroad in both Ireland and Guatemala!

Alexis (Lexi) (right) is from Clear Lake, Iowa and is a senior at the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse. She is planning to continue on to complete her Masters in Recreational Therapy following her internship. She chose to study Recreational Therapy because she has a passion for advocacy and the energy and experiences that come from this field. She loves being outdoors, trying new things, and getting crafty! Fun fact: Lexi also has a twin and has been to Niagara Falls in Canada!