Colorado Safe Routes to School Program Walks and Rolls celebrating 20 years

News Release

Denver - The Colorado Department of Transportation encourages schools, K-12, to participate in Walk and Roll Day on Wednesday, Oct. 8, to promote and practice pedestrian and road safety among classmates, families, and caregivers.

Established in 1997 as part of the International Walk to School Day program, Colorado Walk and Roll to School Day is a day when children from more than 40 countries walk to school on the same day. This year's event is particularly special, commemorating two decades of the Safe Routes to School program's dedication to creating healthier, more connected, and safer communities.

"For 20 years, Colorado's Safe Routes to School program has shown what's possible when we put kids first - safer streets, healthier communities, and students who start their day ready to learn," said Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. "As we celebrate this milestone, I'm proud to see schools, families, and communities coming together to make walking and biking not only safe, but a joyful part of growing up in Colorado."

"This is the 20th year for Colorado's Safe Routes to School program, which has encouraged students to be more physically active and helped motivate them to instill healthy habits that can also translate into enhanced performance in the classroom," said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. "Safe Routes to School also improves safety through our grant program, which provides funding to improve infrastructure around schools, like for new sidewalks and signage, signalized crosswalks, and better lighting."

Organizers are encouraged to register their schools at walkbiketoschool.org as a way of tracking participation and showing support for active, healthy, safe transportation. Registrations also assist Colorado's ranking among other participating states, regardless of whether schools choose to participate on the official day or choose a date more convenient to their community for optimal participation.

Walk and Roll events bring the community together while highlighting the importance of safe, active transportation options. "Our event brings together the entire school, the Englewood Police Department, and the City of Englewood, truly uniting the community," says Kyle Conrad, PTO Co-Chair at Clayton Elementary School in Englewood, and a key organizer for the school's event. "Parents have long advocated for safer crosswalks and routes to school, and this event shines a light on the areas most in need of support. Kids are thrilled to get outside and ride. We hope this momentum encourages even more families to walk and bike to school-it's a win for all: less congestion, happier students, and a stronger community."

For this event, CDOT distributed 20,000 free stickers upon request. Printed commemorative 20th anniversary posters printed double-sided in English and Spanish were also offered to registered events. For more information, and for Walk and Roll to School Day ideas and resources including customizable, downloadable posters in English and Spanish, visit CDOT's Safe Routes to School website at codot.gov/programs/bikeped/safe-routes.

*Media availability: Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera will join Walk and Roll to School Day activities at Aspen Creek K-8, 5500 Aspen Creek Dr., Broomfield, 9:15 a.m., Oct. 8.

Colorado Safe Routes to School is a statewide program of the Colorado Department of Transportation. It works to create and promote safe, accessible, and fun opportunities for kids to walk and bike to and from school.

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