Visit Denver Launches Guide to an Accessible Denver and Frontline Staff Program
Initiatives Enhance Visitor Experience and Promote Inclusive Tourism
Visit Denver has rolled out two impactful initiatives designed to showcase the city’s rich array of experiences while ensuring that all visitors feel welcome and supported. The new Guide to an Accessible Denver highlights inclusive attractions for travelers of all abilities, and the “Go the Extra Mile” training program equips frontline workers to act as local concierges.
These efforts advance two priority strategies from the CTO’s Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan for the Denver and Northern Colorado region: to showcase the region’s efforts toward inclusivity and accessibility, as well as to increase training for frontline stewardship ambassadors.
Guide to an Accessible Denver Spotlights Inclusive Experiences
The new Guide to an Accessible Denver is a thoughtfully curated digital resource that highlights attractions and services catering to a wide range of accessibility needs. It offers practical information for travelers with mobility, vision, hearing, cognitive and neurodiverse disabilities.
The guide features more than 30 inclusive experiences and resources, including:
- Transportation options suitable for various mobility needs
- Family-friendly attractions, museums and performing arts venues
- Low-sensory offerings at cultural events, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, the Denver Botanic Gardens and museums
- Adaptive recreational activities such as golf, rock climbing and all-terrain wheelchair access in parks
- Reserved seating and accessibility services at venues like Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre
- Options for guests with limited mobility to explore downtown via pedicab, relax at accessible fishing spots, or enjoy inclusive playgrounds and outdoor spaces.
The guide was intentionally designed for ease of use. “We wanted to provide a detailed, accessible experience information right up front and then link to our partners’ sites,” said Flavia Light, vice president and chief tourism development officer at Visit Denver. “Local attractions appreciate the added visibility for the programs they’ve created for travelers with specific needs.”
Light emphasized the importance of involving experts in the guide’s development. Visit Denver hired an accessibility consultant with lived experience as a wheelchair user to provide critical insight. “While we had considered several formats, our consultant brought an entirely different and much-needed perspective,” Light said. The organization also hires writers from the disability community to ensure the content is authentic and relatable.
As Visit Denver prepares for an upcoming website redesign, additional accessibility features will be integrated, guided by the same consultant’s recommendations to further enhance the online experience.
Frontline Staff Program Helps Staff “Go the Extra Mile”
To deepen visitor engagement and improve service across the city, Visit Denver is reviving its “Go The Extra Mile” training program, designed to empower frontline hospitality workers as knowledgeable ambassadors for the city.
Originally launched as an in-person course, the program was paused during the pandemic. In its absence, many hotels phased out concierge services, and new tourism staff, often unfamiliar with Denver, faced a steep learning curve. The need for accessible, flexible training became clear.
To guide the course’s redevelopment, Visit Denver gathered feedback from hotel managers and local tourism centers, identifying common guest questions and staff knowledge gaps. The result: a mobile-friendly course that’s quick, engaging and practical.
The 20-minute course includes videos and web content covering:
- Local events and festivals
- The city’s culinary and craft beverage scene
- Neighborhood guides and hidden gems
- Live music, arts, culture, shopping and pro sports
After each module, users take a brief quiz to reinforce their learning. As a reward, participants receive a “Go the Extra Mile Savings Pass”, unlocking discounts at attractions throughout the city. So far, around 300 individuals have completed the training and are now better equipped to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
For more information on how users can stay engaged with the “Go the Extra Mile” training program, visit their Resource Page.
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