About Us

Our Mission
The mission of Special Olympics Colorado (SOCO) is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendships with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The Vision of Special Olympics
Special Olympics is an unprecedented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch.
Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and competition.
As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and the communities in which they live.
Special Olympics is an experience that is energizing, healthy, skillful, welcoming and joyful.
Today, Special Olympics stands as a leader in the field of intellectual disability and has sharpened the focus on its mission as not just "nice," but critical, not just as a sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, but also as an effective catalyst for social change. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.

Philosophy
Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities* can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy and benefit from participation in individual and team sports.
Special Olympics believes that consistent training is essential to the development of sports skills, and that competition among those of equal abilities is the most appropriate means of testing these skills, measuring progress and providing incentives for personal growth.
Special Olympics believes that through sports training and competition, people with intellectual disabilities benefit physically, mentally, socially and spiritually; families are strengthened; and the community at large, both through participation and observation, is united in understanding people with intellectual disabilities in an environment of equality, respect and acceptance.

Principles
To provide the most enjoyable, beneficial and challenging activities for athletes with intellectual disabilities, Special Olympics operates worldwide in accordance with the following principles and beliefs:
- That the goal of Special Olympics is to help bring all persons with intellectual disabilities into the larger society under conditions whereby they are accepted, respected and given a chance to become productive citizens.
- That, as a means of achieving this goal, Special Olympics encourages its more capable athletes to move from Special Olympics training and competition into school and community programs where they can compete in regular sports activities. The decision to leave or to continue involvement in Special Olympics is the athlete’s choice.
- That all Special Olympics activities — at the local, state/provincial, national and international levels — reflect the values, standards, traditions, ceremonies and events embodied in the modern Olympic movement. These Olympic-type activities have been broadened and enriched to celebrate the moral and spiritual qualities of persons with intellectual disabilities so as to enhance their dignity and self-esteem.
- That participation in Special Olympics training programs and competitive events is open to all people with intellectual disabilities who are at least 8 years old, regardless of the degree of their disability.
- That comprehensive, year-round sports training is available to every Special Olympics athlete, conducted by well-qualified coaches in accordance with the standardized Sports Rules formulated and adopted by Special Olympics, and that every athlete who participates in a Special Olympics sport will be trained in that sport.
- That every Special Olympics Program includes sports events and activities that are appropriate to the age and ability level of each athlete, from motor activities to the most advanced competition.
- That Special Olympics provides full participation for every athlete regardless of economic circumstance and conducts training and competition under the most favorable conditions possible, including facilities, administration, training, coaching, officiating and events.
- That at every Awards Ceremony, in addition to the traditional medals for first, second and third places, athletes finishing from fourth to last place are presented a suitable place ribbon with appropriate ceremony.
- That, to the greatest extent possible, Special Olympics activities will be run by and involve local volunteers, from school and college-age individuals to senior citizens, in order to create greater opportunities for public understanding of intellectual disabilities.
- That, although Special Olympics is primarily a program of sports training and competition, efforts are made to offer athletes a full range of artistic, social and cultural experiences through activities such as dances, art exhibits, concerts, visits to historic sites, clinics, theatrical performances and similar activities.
- That the "Spirit of Special Olympics" — skill, courage, sharing and joy — incorporates universal values which transcend all boundaries of geography, nationality, political philosophy, gender, age, race or religion.

History
The global Special Olympics movement got its start on 20 July 1968, when the First International Special Olympics Games were held at Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois, USA. But the concept of Special Olympics was born much earlier, when Eunice Kennedy Shriver started a day camp for people with intellectual disabilities at her home in 1962.
Today, more than 2.25 million Special Olympics athletes participate worldwide in more than 200 programs in over 160 countries. Special Olympics is officially recognized by the United States Olympics Committee and the International Olympic Committee.   To read more about Special Olympics Inc. click here.

Organization Structure
Special Olympics Colorado is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Special Olympics Colorado Board of Directors governs the organization through a staff responsible for program planning, implementation and evaluation, as well as public education, development, training and technical support. With the goal of a strong, grass-roots volunteer organization, the Special Olympics Colorado staff serves as a direct resource to local programs. The staff is organized into six geographic areas that are each served by an area manager. A local program, under the leadership of a volunteer local program coordinator and a local program management team of key volunteers, directly serves athletes.