SOLE Partners
Partners work with SOLE schools and Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff to schedule and provide field trips, in-class programs, and activities at Family Nature Nights. They play an essential role in connecting families to local outdoor opportunities in all areas of the state!
_j.jpg)
.png)
.png){kind=logo}
Great Outdoors Colorado
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) invests a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to help preserve and enhance the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces. Their independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife to make programs such as SOLE possible. A huge thanks to our partners at GOCO!
A&H Adventures
Denver
A&H Adventures supports us at many of our Family Nature Nights by providing families with the safe, fun opportunity to try archery. In order to help people reestablish a connection to nature and the outdoors, A&H Adventures offers a wide variety of educational workshops and community events that illuminate the amazing experiences an outdoor adventure can offer.
Aiken Audubon Society
Colorado Springs
The Aiken Audubon Society serves the residents of Colorado Springs in the Pikes Peak Chapter of the Audubon Society. They present programs to birders and other nature lovers eight times a year (September – May, except December), usually on the third Wednesday of the month at Bear Creek Nature Center.
Arkansas Valley Audubon Society
Pueblo
Arkansas Valley Audubon Society serves the community of Pueblo. The organization leads bird walks and bird watching as well as other bird related events throughout the year.
Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
Aspen
ACES' mission is to inspire a life-long commitment to the earth by educating for environmental responsibility, conserving and restoring the balance of natural communities, and advancing the ethic that the earth must be respected and nurtured.
City of Aurora Morrison Nature Center
Aurora
The mission of the Parks, Recreation & Open Space (PROS) Department is to encourage active lifestyles and create healthy environments for people, nature and community.
Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
Brighton
​Bird Conservancy of the Rockies (BCR) focuses on bird conservation and related education topics. With a banding station located at Barr Lake State Park, BCRs opportunities for students to learn about birds, migration, and hands-on banding makes for a great field trip.
Bluff Lake Nature Center
Denver
Bluff Lake Nature Center is a unique urban natural area dedicated to educating and inspiring people of all ages to respect, protect, and connect with our natural world.
BookTrails
Steamboat Springs
BookTrails is a non-profit organization that promotes a love of literacy. At BookTrails, students are able to experience and feel as though they are the main character in their favorite story—whether it be building a survival shelter, running through a stream bed, or sketching in a meadow. By using reading and writing as a tool to teach environmental principals, our students are given a unique perspective to view both literature and the natural world.
City and County of Broomfield Open Space and Trails
Broomfield
The mission of the Open Space and Trails Department is to acquire open space and create a comprehensive trail system that allows for the enjoyment of the outdoors and promotes a healthy environment for people, nature, and community.
Bureau of Land Management
The Bureau of Land Management's mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Butterfly Pavilion
Westminster
The Butterfly Pavilion is a unique invertebrate zoo in Westminster that educates students about all things bugs: bug basics, life cycles, and habitat requirements for insects.
Catamount Institute
Colorado Springs
​A mountain campus dedicated to ecological stewardship, research, education, and leadership. Using innovative research, current events, and lessons consistent with Colorado Department of Education Science Standards, the Catamount Institute encourages people to think about their relationship to the environment via hands-on learning.
CaveSim
Manitou Springs
​Invented by a caver & MIT engineer, CaveSim makes highly realistic artificial caves that teach STEM concepts. Interactive electronic formations, fauna, & artifacts teach conservation in 60’ of
multi-level passage. Computer scoring tracks which formations you “damage” as you explore. Vie for “most careful caver” while learning & having fun.
Chico Basin
Colorado Springs
Chico Basin Ranch is an 87,000-acre family-run, working cattle ranch that operates on the high prairie outside of Colorado Springs, home to diverse populations of birds, pronghorn, deer, fish, coyote, badgers, and more. In addition to the cattle business, the Chico offers education, farming, recreation, sporting, arts, and hospitality programs.
Colorado Department of Natural Resources
The Colorado Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mission is to manage and conserve Colorado’s natural resources for the benefit of people.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
One of the SOLE program’s goals is to bring SOLE 4th grade students to a Colorado State Park or Hatchery. Many of our state parks and hatcheries around the state have generously offered their time and education programs to our SOLE students.
City of Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs
The City of Colorado Springs and their Parks & Recreation department therein, is home to a variety of public landscapes that illustrate the beauty of Colorado ecosystems.
Colorado Springs Utilities
Colorado Springs
We've been a community-owned, not-for-profit, four-service utility provider in the Pikes Peak region since 1924. We supply the energy (natural gas and electricity) and water (drinking water and wastewater) services for Colorado Springs.
​
We offer free educational programs designed to augment your existing curriculum. These programs meet Colorado Department of Education Academic Standards and Common Core State Standards wherever possible.
Colorado State Forest Service
The mission of the Colorado State Forest Service is to achieve stewardship of Colorado’s diverse forest environments for the benefit of present and future generations. We are a service and outreach agency of the Warner College of Natural Resources at Colorado State University.
Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
Cortez
The City of Colorado Springs and their Parks & Recreation department therein, is home to a variety of public landscapes that illustrate the beauty of Colorado ecosystems.
CSU Environmental Learning Center
Fort Collins
Our mission at the Colorado State University Environmental Learning Center is to connect people with nature by facilitating educational, inclusive and safe experiences in the natural environment and to advance the field of environmental education through sound research and practice.
Denver Audubon
Denver
As a chapter of the National Audubon Society, Denver Audubon inspires the metro community to connect with nature through education, conservation, and research. With the Audubon Nature Center located on the S. Platte River, both wildlife and field trip/classroom programs are abundant. From Bird Banding Trips to Eco-system Explorations and Beaver Habitat Investigations, Denver Audubon strives to connect children with nature through hands-on programming.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Denver
Denver Botanic Gardens hosts field trips and in-class presentation focusing on ecosystems, plants, and flower knowledge to help SOLE students learn about the flora around them.
Dinosaur Ridge
Morrison
The mission of the Friends of Dinosaur Ridge is to educate the public about, and ensure the preservation of, the natural and historic resources of Dinosaur Ridge, Triceratops Trail, and the surrounding areas.
Dolores River Boating Advocates
Dolores
DRBA promotes responsible recreational use and balanced flow management of the Dolores River, while working to protect the watershed for the health of the natural environment and the livelihood of future generations.
El Paso County's Bear Creek Nature Center and Fountain Creek Nature Center
Colorado Springs
Bear Creek Nature Center and Fountain Creek Nature Center both offer a unique look at local ecosystems and wildlife. They offer exhibits, interpretive programs, special events, tours, and environmental education programs for school groups.
Environmental Learning for Kids
Denver
The Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) inspires, educates and transforms youth through exposing them to science and environmental educational programs.
Eureka! McConnell Science Museum
Grand Junction
Inspiring a passion and respect for math and science in our communities.
Four Mile Historic Park
Denver
Four Mile Historic Park's mission is to educate a diverse community through experiences which promote preservation, interpretation and enjoyment of Denver’s western heritage.
Friends of Youth and Nature
Hotchkiss
Our mission is to: promote healthy lifestyles; educate our community about environmental issues; provide stewardship opportunities; pursue funding to support our partners programming efforts; provide a platform to collaborate, and connect partners with educators, students, and parents.
Get Outdoors Leadville!
Leadville
Gardens on Spring Creek
Fort Collins
For over a decade, the Gardens on Spring Creek has grown as a special place and source of positive, engaging, and creative opportunities for people to connect with plants and with each other.
Grand Valley Audubon
Grand Junction
The Grand Valley Audubon Society is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit based in Grand Junction, Colorado. We strive to foster an appreciation for birds and other wildlife, preserve a diversity of habitats, and provide a sustainable healthy environment through education, research and individual action.
Greater Arkansas River Nature Association
Salida
Guidestone Colorado
Salida
Guidestone Colorado is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that is growing a vibrant agricultural future through education, community building, and partnerships. Guidestone’s Farmhands Youth Education Programs build a community of learning, sharing, and celebration. Our summer camps, workshops, field trips and special events provide youth and adults with the opportunity to “dig in”, learning about the art and science of grown food and the importance of supporting local farms and ranches.
High Trails Outdoor Education Center
Florissant
High Trails Outdoor Education Center provides educational experiences in the outdoors in which children and adults will gain greater skills, knowledge, and understanding of the relationships of all living things, of working together as a team, and of growing positively as a person.
History Colorado
The History Colorado Center in Denver is home to interactive exhibitions, programs for kids and adults, special events and cultural performances, and a research center that’s a portal to our vast collections of books, manuscripts, photography, documents, maps, and other artifacts.
​
At seven Community Museums around the state, History Colorado shares the stories of the countless cultures that have made Colorado’s landscapes their home and shaped Colorado’s past—and still shape its present and future.
Jefferson County Open Space Lookout Mountain Nature Center
Golden
Lookout Mountain Nature Center (LMNC) promotes conservation of Jefferson County’s open spaces through educational programs and exhibits though 134 acres of Ponderosa pines and mountain meadows. Wildflowers, abundant wildlife, and a team of dedicated naturalists to help visitors experience and interpret it all are part of what makes LMNC a special place within Jefferson County.
Keystone Science School
Keystone
Founded in 1976 by Robert W. Craig, Keystone Science School has taught scientific principles and leadership skills to young people, teachers, and community members through engaging hands-on field experiences. KSS was founded on the belief that leaders should approach decision-making with a healthy respect for scientific inquiry, collaboration, and civic engagement.
Lamb Spring Archeological Preserve
Littleton
Our Mission – To develop, fund, build, operate and promote an on-site museum and interpretative center at the Lamb Spring Archaeological Preserve.
City of Lakewood's Bear Creek Lake Park
Lakewood
Bear Creek Lake Park is the ideal outdoor classroom. Their close proximity to Denver and the mountains, along with their hands-on experiential field trips are designed to provide a fun outdoor learning environment.
Majestic View Nature Center
Arvada
A part of the City of Arvada, Majestic View Nature Center has hands-on displays, wildlife exhibits, a kid's activity area, classrooms and meeting spaces. Connected is the Majestic View Community Park with over 80 acres home to a lake and wetland areas, a beautiful demonstration garden, interpretive trails, prairie grasses, beautiful views and many wildlife species. Whether you are discovering local wildlife, on a walk or participating in one of our many classes, visiting is always a fun and educational experience.
Montezuma Land Conservancy
Cortez
Changing lives through land conservation by connecting people to place, forever.
Montezuma School to Farm Project
Mancos
The Montezuma School to Farm Project unites the local agricultural heritage with the growing future by engaging students at the crossroads of sustainable agriculture, resource conservation, health, and economics through educational experiences in outdoor garden classes, on field trips, through youth farmers markets and in summer farm camp.
Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative
Alma
The Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative, through cooperative efforts, seeks to conserve unique natural areas, preserve historic & cultural sites, promote diverse recreation and develop community business opportunities.
Mountain Side Gear Rental
Golden
Mountain Side Gear Rental's mission is to make outdoor experiences affordable, accessible and memorable. Adventurers from around the global in need of tents, backpacking gear or any other camping equipment, find value in our inventory of premium brand name equipment, including award-winning gear from brands like Big Agnes, Mountainsmith, GSI Outdoors and Lawson Hammock.
Mountain Studies Institute
Silverton
Mountain Studies Institute (MSI) is an independent not-for-profit mountain research and education center established in 2002 in Silverton, Colorado. MSI develops science that people can use to address environmental issues facing the San Juan Mountains.
Museums of Western Colorado
Grand Junction
The Museums of Western Colorado is the largest multi-disciplinary museum between Salt Lake City and Denver. Over the past fifty years we have grown to include three major museum facilities – Cross Orchards Historic Site, Dinosaur Journey Museum, and the Museum of the West; a respected research library – the Loyd Files Research Library; and four active outdoor paleontology sites. We offer a multitude of programs featuring dinosaur expeditions, extensive educational programming, and historic and cultural trips and tours, ranging from local to international.
National Mining Hall of Fame
Leadville
The National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum is a monument to the memory of the men and women who pioneered the discovery, development, and processing of our nation's natural resources. Our mission is to "tell the story of mining, its people, its importance to the American public, and to society's sustainability."
National Park Service
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners like SOLE to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
NRCS provides America's farmers and ranchers with financial and technical assistance to voluntarily put conservation on the ground, not only in helping the environment but agricultural operations too.
Nature's Educators
Sedalia
Nature's Educators is a 501c3 non-profit educational wildlife program. Our mission is to teach anyone and everyone about the importance of birds of prey. We strive to get audiences excited to learn about wildlife.
Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center
Pueblo/Beulah
The Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote environmental stewardship and population health through nature education, wildlife rehabilitation and outdoor recreation. NWDC offers three diverse, outdoor-learning environments spanning across Pueblo County, including our Mountain Park Campus (Beulah), River Campus and Raptor Center (Pueblo).
Otero Junior College STEM Program
La Junta
Our mission is to encourage and inspire more of our best and brightest students, especially those from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups to study in the STEM fields.
Poudre Learning Center
Greeley
The Poudre Learning Center is a premier facility for interdisciplinary learning focusing on the importance of history, science, economics, stewardship and aesthetics of the Cache la Poudre River and Northeastern Colorado. The PLC develops and offers interdisciplinary education programs aimed at reinforcing concepts presented in local school curriculums. Utilizing the Poudre River as a focal point, students explore environments through the use of labs, activities, and trips.
Powerhouse Science Center
Durango
Located on the banks of the Animas River in an historic coal-fired steam-power AC generating plant, The Powerhouse presents a wide range of programs, exhibits, and activities designed to provide an entertaining and inspiring look at science — past, present, and future.
Pueblo Zoo
Pueblo
The Pueblo Zoo is an AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accredited facility that covers twenty-five acres in the southwest quadrant of Pueblo City Park. It is home to more than 420 animals representing over 120 different species from around the world.
Rio Grande Watershed Conservation & Education Initiative
Monte Vista
We strive to provide dynamic conservation education to the San Luis Valley community through collaboration, connections, and experiences that enhance understanding of our working landscapes and natural resource stewardship.
RiversEdge West
Grand Junction
RiversEdge West (formerly Tamarisk Coalition) advances the restoration of riparian lands through education, collaboration and technical assistance. The focus os on riparian forest and floodplain health in the American West to address impacts from invasive riparian (riverside) plants such as Russian olive and tamarisk, challenges associated with climate change and habitat fragmentation, and stressors that may result in diminished biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Roaring Fork Conservancy
Basalt
Since 1996, Roaring Fork Conservancy has inspired people to explore, value, and protect the Roaring Fork Watershed. We bring people together to protect our rivers and work hard to keep water in local streams, monitor water quality, and preserve riparian habitat.
Rocky Mountain Field Institute
Colorado Springs
Rocky Mountain Field Institute conserves and protects public lands in Southern Colorado through volunteer-based trail and restoration projects, environmental education, and restoration research.
Rugged Research
Longmont
Rugged Research is a nature-based education organization founded by two Rocky Mountain Park Rangers to spark curiosity and wonder towards the natural world. They use Colorado outdoors as a huge learning laboratory to help students fall in love with nature.
Sand Creek Regional Greenway
Denver
The Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership's mission is to improve, preserve, and promote the natural, recreational and cultural resources of the Sand Creek Regional Greenway corridor, including trail connections for education and enjoyment of the public, linking communities throughout the watershed.
San Juan Mountains Association
Durango
We commit to building an organization widely recognized for conservation education and sustainability programs by: providing a broad range of rich and enjoyable programs, inspiring people to work together to respect and enjoy the land, and treating staff and supporters with respect and decency while nurturing their growth.
SOS Outreach
Eagle
SOS Outreach provides year-round, outdoor sports to engage students in long-term mentor based relationships while integrating outdoor ideals with character development and social development.
South Park National Heritage Area
Fairplay
The purpose of the South Park National Heritage Area is to conserve South Parkʹs heritage resources and use them to generate new economies.
South Suburban Parks and Rec
Littleton
South Platte Park offers opportunities for students to get their hands dirty with on-site gold-panning along with learning about water ecosystems.
Tread of Pioneers Museum
Steamboat Springs
The Tread of Pioneers Museum offers insight into the life of the pioneers that lived in Colorado while celebrating the Western way of life. The museum uses exhibits, tours, events and children activities to help you step back in time.
Trout Unlimited- Collegiate Peaks Chapter
Upper Arkansas Valley
The Collegiate Peaks Chapter of Trout Unlimited works in the upper Arkansas River Valley in central Colorado. The chapter has over 300 members. Its projects run from doing habitat restoration and stream access maintenance to advocating for responsible public policies, and working with a variety of agencies on conservation projects. We offer fly fishing classes, a middle school enrichment program called “Stream Explorers”, have a womens’ group called FlyGals, and sponsor youth fishing derbies. Volunteers put in over 3,000 hours/year. The chapter also provides up to $12,000 annually for scholarships.
Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership
Ridgway
The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership exists to help protect the economic, natural, and scenic values of the Upper Uncompahgre River Watershed. The Partnership works to inform and engage all stakeholders and solicits input from diverse interests to ensure collaborative restoration efforts in the watershed.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge is a 15,988-acre National Wildlife Refuge located adjacent to Commerce City, Colorado, in the United States. It is approximately 8 miles northeast of downtown Denver.
U.S. Forest Service
The US Forest Service represents a multifaceted and multi-use agency, aiming to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. THE USFS has been a great partner in helping with support for SOLE Family Nature Nights.
Walking Mountains Science Center
Avon
The Walking Mountains Science Center provides a scientific understanding of the mountain ecosystem through sustainability programs and exploring nature.
West Greeley Conservation District
Greeley
The West Greeley Conservation District mission is to provide leadership and guidance in the conservation and management of natural resources through research, education, financial assistance, and on the ground conservation practices. In short: We help landowners be good stewards of the land.
Western Slope Conservation Center
Paonia
The mission of the Western Slope Conservation Center is to build an active and aware community to protect and enhance the lands, air, water, and wildlife of the Lower Gunnison Watershed.
Wild Within Reach
Denver
The mission is to reconnect children and adults to nature in their own community. Wild Within Reach strives to cultivate a lifelong love of nature and promote more time and connection with the outdoors.
Wildfire Adapted Partnership
Durango
Wildfire Adapted Partnership (WAP) inspires, motivates, educates and serves individuals, organizations and communities joining together to protect lives and property from wildfire.
Yampatika
Steamboat Springs
Yampatika’s mission is to inspire environmental stewardship through education, intending to advance environmental literacy in our state. Yampatika continues to be the only non-profit organization that offers a continuum of educational services to children and adults ranging in age from pre-K to senior citizens in Routt, Moffat and Jackson Counties.
YMCA of the Rockies
Snow Mountain Ranch
Their core values are: Caring, Respect, Responsibility and Faith. They offer unifying experiences for families, educational and recreational services and traditional summer camping experiences for boys and girls.