Technology Improves Access to Mountain Biking for Cortez Youth

In Montezuma County, school and community programs ensure students can readily obtain bikes and equipment, but without access to mountain bike programming (like group rides with trained instructors) many riders, especially young minorities, don’t connect with local trails. Enter High Desert DEVO (HDD), a youth cycling program that empowers youth and helps them thrive in rural communities. HDD prioritizes inclusivity, but lacked the technology to reach deeply into community and increase participation. Staff at HDD had an idea to help solve this problem, though: LOR funded the purchase a new computer and web applications that made it easier to recruit more and diverse riders and coaches, launch an accessible ride registration platform, and maintain up-to-the-minute information on the website.