Colorado’s stunning mountains, vast grasslands, winding rivers, and welcoming neighborhood parks are more than just beautiful places—they are spaces where people of all ages can learn, explore, and connect. A recent landscape analysis conducted by the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE), in partnership with the Plains Environmental Education Partnership, offers valuable insights into the state of environmental and outdoor learning. It highlights both the opportunities and challenges in ensuring that everyone—regardless of where they live—has access to meaningful outdoor experiences.

Our analysis draws from data provided by 318 environmental and outdoor learning providers across six states—Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming—including 107 from Colorado. It also includes perspectives from 463 PreK-12 teachers and administrators throughout the region. The findings emphasize the importance of investing in programs that connect people to hands-on outdoor and environmental learning experiences. These programs not only help learners develop an appreciation for nature, but they also support mental well-being, enhance academic engagement, and foster learning-rich communities where people connect with their surroundings and each other. However, many organizations and educators face challenges that limit their ability to reach as many people as possible.

Key Findings: Barriers and Opportunities

• Outdoor Learning Frequency: While more than 30% of teachers and administrators reported that their school has an environmental theme or focus, only 5.3% of educators take their students outside daily, and most do so only a few times a month or less.
• Challenges to Outdoor Learning: Educators cited logistical hurdles—including scheduling, time constraints, and the lack of designated outdoor learning spaces—as key barriers. Managing student behavior outdoors was also a concern.
• Need for Teacher Support: Over 30% of educators have not received professional development in outdoor or environmental learning, highlighting the need for training and resources.
• Teaching Climate Science: Nearly 60% of teachers and administrators reported incorporating climate science into their curriculum. However, 66% of respondents spend fewer than 10 hours per year on the topic.
• Resources Educators Need Most: Teachers and administrators identified field trips, guest educators, best practices for teaching outdoors, and lesson materials as the most valuable tools for increasing environmental and outdoor learning in the classroom.
• Barriers to Field Trips: More than half of educators said that transportation availability, costs, and site fees limit their ability to take students on field trips.

Colorado is fortunate to have a strong network of environmental and outdoor learning providers who serve more than 545,000 participants across the state. However, expanding opportunities remains a challenge:

• Limited Budgets: More than 22% of Colorado’s environmental and outdoor learning providers operate with an annual budget of under $250,000.  The median staff size for environmental and outdoor learning organizations is 5.  These financial constraints make it difficult to scale programs and ensure equal opportunities for all communities.
• Geographic Gaps: While Colorado is known for its incredible outdoor opportunities, large regions—particularly in the Eastern Plains—lack environmental learning providers. Expanding programs in these areas will help ensure that every child, regardless of location, has access to outdoor and environmental learning experiences.

Why This Matters for Colorado

Environmental and outdoor learning isn’t just about appreciating nature—it’s about building a stronger future. Research shows that time outside improves mental health, reduces stress, and helps kids focus. These hands-on learning experiences also prepare students for careers in conservation, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and beyond—sectors that are vital to Colorado’s economy.

Looking Ahead

The findings from this landscape analysis serve as a reminder that investing in environmental and outdoor learning benefits us all. Whether it’s a child discovering the magic of a mountain trail, a student testing water quality in a nearby river, or a community coming together to plant trees in a local park, these experiences shape future generations and create a culture of care for our environment and communities.

At CAEE, we’re committed to supporting educators and organizations that make these opportunities possible. By working together—educators, policymakers, community leaders, and families—we can expand access to outdoor learning and ensure that every Coloradan has the chance to explore, learn, and connect with nature.

Colorado’s landscapes belong to all of us. Let’s make sure everyone has the opportunity to experience, enjoy, and learn from them for generations to come.