"I look forward to working with the talented directors and advisors at Colorado Walks. I will assist as best I can with my own observations made while trekking and working in 2,000 North American communities. Together, we will share the essential steps that must be taken so people can once again take delight in healthy streets and healthy communities in the ever growing Rocky Mountain towns and cities."

~ Dan Burden     
Director, Walkable Communities     

What is a Walkable Community?

There are various ways to define a "walkable community" and each community in Colorado needs to consider a definition that is appropriate for them. The Campaign to Make America Walkable has developed the following characteristics as a general description of what you might expect to find in a walkable community.

• People of all ages and abilities have easy access to their community "on foot" - an automobile is not needed for every trip.
• People walk more and the community and neighborhoods are safer, healthier, and friendlier places.
• Parents feel comfortable about their children being outside in their neighborhoods; they don't worry about the threat of motor vehicles.
• Children spend more time outside with other children and are more active, physically fit, and healthy.
• Streets and highways are designed or reconstructed to provide safe and comfortable facilities for pedestrians and are safe and easy to cross for people of all ages and abilities.
• Pedestrians are given priority in neighborhood, work, school, and shopping areas. Motor vehicle speeds are reduced (and, in some places, motor vehicles have been eliminated entirely) to ensure compatibility with pedestrian traffic.
• Motor vehicle operating speeds are carefully controlled to ensure compatibility with adjacent land uses and the routine presence of pedestrians.
• Drivers of motor vehicles operate them in a prudent, responsible fashion, knowing that they will be held strictly accountable for any threat, injury, or death caused by their lack of due care or violation of the vehicle code.
• The air and water quality are good.

Source: Campaign to Make America Walkable, Creating Walkable Communities: A Guide for Local Governments, December 1998. Available at: http://www.bikewalk.org.

Programs and Services

Colorado Walks programs and services provide solutions for encouraging walking, developing healthy lifestyles, and building active community environments. A key element in developing these solutions is to simply foster awareness of the benefits of walking as a routine and integrated function in people's daily lives. Our programs and services are designed to achieve this through a variety of activities in a range of settings - from the community level to individuals.

Colorado Walks programs network with others in the walking community as we partner with many other interests through promotion and advocacy of programs like Colorado Pedestrian Month, Safe Routes to School, and our own "Golden Footprint Awards" given to outstanding individuals and communities that promote and encourage walking.