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(DENVER) — Today the Colorado Disability Opportunity Office (CDOO) housed within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) joins communities across the state to celebrate the start of Disability Pride Month. As proclaimed by Governor Jared Polis, the month-long tradition celebrates the anniversary of the landmark Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) signed on July 26, 1990 while amplifying the voices, lived experiences, and vital contributions the disability community has had on Colorado.
"Disability Pride Month is an important opportunity to celebrate the diverse perspectives, resilience, and vast talents that the disability community brings to our state," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. "Our administration has been and continues to be committed to building a Colorado for All. Where every Coloradan, regardless of ability, has the tools, opportunities, and access they need to thrive.”
This year, the state is shifting the focus from simple awareness to active engagement and visibility by encouraging the public to explore historical landmarks and support disability-owned businesses across the state captured on CDOO’s Digital Disability Passport. This custom Google map allows residents to take a self-guided journey through Colorado’s disability heritage, highlighting historic milestones in the disability rights movement alongside local disability-owned and disability-focused businesses. Coloradans are also invited to help the map grow by nominating new historical landmarks, community spaces, or local businesses that deserve statewide recognition.
This month's celebration also aligns with Colorado’s first-ever comprehensive statewide disability needs assessment. Managed by CDOO, the needs assessment will collect accurate, real-world data on organizations providing services, advocacy, and benefits to maximize existing state resources available to the disability community while closing any potential gaps.
“By supporting our disability-owned and operated businesses, preserving our rich history, and executing our state's first comprehensive needs assessment, we are taking critical steps toward building a Colorado for all where no decisions are made for us, without us," said CDOO Director, Danny Combs.
The pinnacle of the month’s festivities will culminate in the first annual statewide Disability Pride Month celebration on Saturday, July 18, 2026. This community event, named Thrive Together: Celebrating Disability Pride, is free, open to all ages, and will bring Coloradans together to celebrate our state and national disability history and highlight the disability community's resilience, creativity, and joy. The event is a collaborative undertaking between CDOO, the Statewide Equity Office, other state agencies, community organizations, and sponsors including Atlantis Community, Inc., Atlantis Community Housing, UC Health, Branch Out Apparel, and the Regional Transportation District (RTD).
Attendees can expect to hear from Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera at the event and enjoy performances from Hazel Miller and The Collective, the Phamaly Theatre Company, and Carson Covey as Rolling DJ.
Attend the Disability Pride Month Celebration!
Thrive Together: Celebrating Disability Pride
- Saturday, July 18, 2026
- 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
- Atlantis Community, Inc.
201 S Cherokee St.
Unit 100
Denver, CO 80223
ASL and CART will be provided at the event, and attendees can reach out to the cdle_cdoo@state.co.us for specific accommodation requests. More details about the Thrive Together: Celebrating Disability Pride event are published on CDOO’s event page here.
Businesses and organizations interested in exploring event sponsorship opportunities are encouraged to reach out to coral.catalano@state.co.us.
CDOO was intentional in ensuring the disability community in all corners of the state could participate in this month’s festivities even if they do not have the ability or means to travel to Denver for the event on July 18th. In addition to exploring the locations on CDOO’s Digital Disability Passport, all Coloradans are encouraged to celebrate Disability Pride by taking part in a variety of activities intended to educate them about some of the most common disabilities and their impact on the lives of those who are affected by them. Activities are catered to Coloradans of all ages and range in type from reading specific books, to watching shows and movies, to doing arts and crafts projects. A full list of activities can be found on CDOO’s event page here.
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