Helping residents with mobile challenges explore nature in a new way: Colorado Springs unveils mountain trackchairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)- Tuesday, Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services unveiled their new mountain 'trackchairs.'

These off-road wheelchairs will help hundreds of people get outside who otherwise would miss out due to their mobility challenges.

For Cristine Byrne, it's been more than four years since she's been able to enjoy a long hike in the mountains, and as a Colorado native, she said it's something that doesn't sit well with her. But soon, she said that will change.

Byrne lost her left leg after a surgery complication in 2019.

"I had a knee replacement that got infected and it got in the bone," said Byrne. Since then she's been in a motorized wheelchair every day. 

"I haven't done a lot outside you know. It's really limited my life, and growing up here there was a lot to do," Byrne added.

The new trackchairs will allow her to get back outside and reclaim some of the things she knew growing up in Colorado.

Both electric trackchairs will be free to reserve in 2024. Once the reservations open to the public, the city will provide free training on how to operate the chairs, and park rangers will be around to assist people during their two-hour reservation period.

"We are still working out the details. We are working to start one day a week at Red Rock Canyon Open Space and then as demand and things increase, we might look at going to other parks," said Felicia Barnhart, Recreation Therapist for the City of Colorado Springs "But you can bring your family members and whoever you want to come on the hike with you." 

The City of Colorado Springs hopes to have more chairs like these in the near future, but for now, they will focus on utilizing the two that they have.