Lt. Governor Primavera Shares Colorado's Leadership in Accessible Travel at National Summit

TAMPA ~ Colorado Lt. Gov. Dianne Primavera joined state officials, disability advocates and tourism professionals at the 8th Annual TravelAbility Summit in Tampa, Florida, to discuss accessible travel and community life.

Primavera and Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser took part in a fireside chat about cooperation across party lines and how states can work with disability advocates and tourism officials to welcome more visitors. They also discussed the potential economic and community benefits of accessibility.

"Accessibility isn't an afterthought; it's part of who we are," Primavera said, citing efforts to make travel and outdoor activities more accessible to people with disabilities. Nungesser described Louisiana initiatives including all-inclusive playgrounds, track chairs at state parks and adaptive bike trails, saying accessible tourism can support the state's economy.

Primavera also joined Alison Butler, a senior disability policy adviser in the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, for a panel on the Colorado Disability Funding Committee. According to the release, the committee raised about $100,000 in its first decade and was at risk of being discontinued. It was later revitalized through the return of historic license plate designs, with $25 from each plate directed to disability programs. Since 2017, the committee has awarded more than $15 million in grants to Colorado disability organizations.

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The release said Primavera previously chaired Colorado's Task Force on the Rights of Coloradans with Disabilities, which developed recommendations to expand accessible outdoor recreation. She also led a national discussion on accessibility and outdoor recreation at the National Lieutenant Governors Association's annual meeting in Denver this past summer.

Colorado's Accessible Travel Program, launched in 2024 by the Colorado Tourism Office in partnership with Wheel the World, provides on-site accessibility assessments, training for hospitality workers and marketing support. The state now has 10 destinations and more than 270 sites with "Accessibility Verified" status, including attractions, lodging, restaurants, trails and gondolas, according to the release.

The release also said that in 2025, 22% of travel parties visiting Colorado included someone who needed accessibility services, more than 25% above the industry norm. Colorado Tourism Office Director Timothy Wolfe said the program aims to help travelers feel more confident exploring the state while supporting local tourism economies.

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