The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is encouraging schools to participate in Walk to School Day (WTSD) on October 6 to promote and practice pedestrian and road safety among classmates, families and caregivers.
Established in 1997, Colorado WTSD is part of the International Walk to School Day program, when children from more than 40 countries walk to school on the same day. Throughout the state, more than 150 schools participate every year.
Organizers are encouraged to register their school at http://www.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.
The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need and demand for streets, crosswalks and public spaces that support walking, biking and rolling. Across Colorado, communities are taking unique, creative approaches to WTSD, including Estes Park, which is partnering with local nonprofit Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success, a family resource center.
“We expect that for those who live too far to walk all the way, there will be a meet-up at the fairgrounds to walk to school from there,” said Estes Park Grant Specialist Christy Crosser. “We are all very excited about this event as we continue to promote the Safe Routes to School program.”
Additional resources and ideas, including downloadable posters in English and Spanish, are available on the CDOT’s Safe Routes to School website at https://www. codot.gov/programs/bikeped/
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