Colorado Parks & Recreation Association

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Wheat Ridge, CO
Colorado Parks & Recreation Association

A dynamic, proactive organization that creates healthy residents
and livable communities by promoting excellence in Parks & Recreation.

02/27/2026

Say hello to the dedicated professionals who attended the PLAaY Section meeting this week! 👋

02/26/2026

Last chance to register- FSCP registration closes on March 2nd!

This 3-day program is designed to enhance and accelerate career growth for park and recreation professionals. This intensive program will address complex issues including the pressing need to practice financial discipline and acknowledge the responsibility park and recreation professionals have as stewards of taxpayer dollars.

The Financial Sustainability Certificate Program is for anyone who wants to increase their financial literacy and learn how to create a sustainable financial future for their organization! Ready to make real change? Bring all your key team players, take full advantage of this curriculum, and build a foundation together!

Approximately 15 hours of course content will be provided to participating professionals affording them the opportunity to acquire 1.5 continuing education units (CEUs).

Register here: https://members.cpra-web.org/ap/Events/Register/dxFeVyesoC0Cv

02/24/2026

Shoutout to the Colorado Aquatics professionals representing at the AOAP conference last week in Colorado Springs! 🎉

02/20/2026

On behalf of the Board of Directors, we are pleased to share that Denise “Dede” de Percin will join CPRA as Interim Executive Director effective February 23.

Dede brings more than 25 years of senior nonprofit leadership experience, having served as an executive director, chief executive, and interim leader for mission-driven, membership-based, and statewide organizations. Throughout the interview process, both the board and staff were struck by Dede’s significant nonprofit expertise and her genuine commitment to leaving every organization she serves stronger than she found it.

Dede is also a passionate and long-term user of parks and recreation opportunities
across Colorado. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her whitewater kayaking or
rafting, mountain biking, snowboarding, or telemark skiing. She also makes time each
year for camping, winter hut trips, and multi-day river adventures, experiences that
closely connect her to the work and communities CPRA supports.

Board President Ali Rhodes shared:
“At a pivotal time for CPRA, we are fortunate to have Dede stepping in as Interim
Executive Director. Her deep experience in nonprofit leadership will help position
us for long-term success, and her personal passion for public lands and
recreation will serve our members well.”

In this interim role, Dede will serve for up to one year and work closely with the board
and staff to advance the strategic priorities outlined in CPRA’s new Strategic Plan.
In anticipation of starting her new role, Dede shared:
“I am drawn to this role because CPRA is entering a clearly defined next phase in
its organizational lifecycle and development, and I believe my background and
expertise are well aligned to support that evolution. I’m focused on partnering
with CPRA’s members, staff, and leadership to strengthen the organization and
help guide its next chapter of impact across Colorado’s parks and recreation
community.”

Please join us in warmly welcoming Dede to CPRA. We are grateful for her leadership
at this exciting time for our association. Stay tuned for opportunities to learn more about
her work and ways to connect.

02/19/2026

REGISTRATION IS OPEN!

Register now for the Parks Spring Workshop & Trade Show on Thursday, April 9th at the Island Grove Event Center in Greeley!

The CPRA Parks Spring Workshop & Trade Show offers parks professionals two rounds of education sessions worth 0.2 CEUs, a trade show with some of the best companies in the industry, a delicious lunch buffet from Georgia Boys BBQ, plus coffee & doughnuts in the morning! Raffle items will be given out throughout the day, as well.

Learn more and register here: https://members.cpra-web.org/events/Details/parks-spring-workshop-trade-show-2026-1631560?sourceTypeId=Hub

02/17/2026

Celebrate Therapeutic Recreation Month with the TRSC Section at Brew-ability in Englewood on February 27th!

Brew-ability is an inclusive brewery & pizzeria that employs adults with disabilities! Please RSVP through the CPRA website: https://members.cpra-web.org/ap/Events/Register/kgFzXVQszCVC1

All are welcome to join this event!

02/12/2026

Have you registered for the FSCP in Colorado Springs?

This 3-day program is designed to enhance and accelerate career growth for park and recreation professionals. This intensive program will address complex issues including the pressing need to practice financial discipline and acknowledge the responsibility park and recreation professionals have as stewards of taxpayer dollars.

The FSCP is designed for anyone involved in decisions connected to parks and recreation management:
• Directors, senior leaders, and rising professionals
• Mid-level managers and supervisors
• Finance, planning, and administrative staff
• City/County administrators and assistants
• Boards, commissions, and advisory groups
• Elected or appointed officials with oversight of parks and recreation

Registration closes on March 2nd. Register through the CPRA website.

01/16/2026

You're invited to the Technology Summit sponsored by Kaizen on Friday, February 6th at the Golden Community Center! This event will include 3 education sessions each worth 0.1 CEUs (0.3 CEUs total). Lunch is included in the registration. There will be an optional happy hour after the event at nearby Golden City Brewery sponsored by Kaizen who will cover the 1st round of beverages!

This summit will include sessions from Colorado Smart Cities Alliance, CO Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA), and Kaizen.

Learn more and register now on the CPRA website: https://members.cpra-web.org/events/Details/technology-summit-1509999?sourceTypeId=Hub

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from the CPRA staff! Enjoy the spooooooky day! 👻 🎃

10/28/2025

Proud Sponsor Alert – Kaizen was thrilled to support this year’s Annual Conference in Vail and we’re gearing up for more as part of our continued partnership with the CPRA:

Join us on Thursday, November 6, 2025 at the Golden Community Center (Golden, CO) for the Technology Summit, brought to you by CPRA and proudly sponsored by Kaizen.

🕙 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM (MST)

🌐 Earn 0.3 CEUs across three power sessions

🎙️ With experts from:

- Kevin Stay (Kaizen) on “From Insight to Action: Using Community Feedback to Guide Parks & Recreation Decisions”

- Duane Tucker & Josh Schroder from the Colorado Statewide Internet Portal Authority (SIPA) on “Resources, Grants & Digital Accessibility”

- Tyler Svitak of the Colorado Smart Cities Alliance on “Technology Innovation in Colorado Parks”

💼 Why you should attend:

Stay ahead of tech trends impacting parks & recreation operations

Walk away with CEU credit to support your professional development

Network with industry leaders and peers

Enjoy lunch included — and cap the day with a Kaizen-sponsored happy hour at the nearby Golden City Brewery (first round on us!)

📍 Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your agency’s tech strategy. Register now: https://members.cpra-web.org/events/Details/technology-summit-1509999?sourceTypeId=Website

10/23/2025

A big thank you from for putting on such a great show, CPRA! ��
Being able to see everyone in person under one roof is such a valuable experience, we
appreciate everyone who came by and took some time to have a chat! We look forward
to speaking with you in the months to come. ��

If you started an application during the show, the GameTime Community Champions
Grant is still open to submit applications, apply until October 24th, this is a great way to
get extra funding to expand your playground budget!
��https://www.gametime.com/funding/playground-grant

Pictured, is the Past Presidents Opening Social, where Will and Angela from our team,
had the pleasure of attending – what a fun night. Thank you again!

Address

Wheat Ridge, CO
80034

Telephone

+17205880943

Website

http://www.cpra-web.org/

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