36th Annual Courage to Risk Conference 2025
A Collaborative Conference for Special Education
January 24, 2025 - April 12, 2025  ·  Broadmoor Hotel

Registration opens on Friday, October 18th!!


Welcome!

 

The Courage to Risk Conference is a collaborative conference comprised of a variety of organizations committed to the educational success of students with diverse learning needs. The mission of the CTR conference is to provide quality educational experiences to parents, students, teachers, and community members; to provide networking experiences for participants; to motivate those working with students with diverse learning needs. The CTR committee seeks to accomplish this by hosting an annual conference in Colorado for educators and families of students with diverse learning needs.


We are pleased to announce that the 36th Annual Courage to Risk Conference will be held at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort in Colorado Springs on January 23-25, 2025. Early check in is from 5-7 PM on January 23rd. Regular check in will begin at 7 AM on Friday the 24th. 


New this year you will be required to provide tax exempt information if using a tax exempt credit card to register. The following information will be required: tax exempt number, organization as shown on credit card and name as shown on credit card. Have this information available when registering.


Check under Hotel information for room rates and parking information.


Agenda
Friday, January 24
6:00 AM
6:00 AM
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
“Why We Need to Unlearn Deficit Thinking”
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
10:15 AM - 11:15 AM
Crystal Reid, Jeanne Bonds and Courtney Berry Cripple Creek lower level
10:15 AM - 11:25 AM
10:15 AM - 11:25 AM
Leia Henaghan Rocky Mountain D main level
Shauna Moden Academy Carnation lower level
Meagan Ackerman Cascade lower level
Dr Mindy Adair Rocky Mountain B main level
Shayna Laing and Elise Kramer Louis Stratta lower level
Caron Westland Ph.D., and Emma Luthans, M.A. Rocky Mountain C main level
Emily Harvey and Sara Pielsticker Divide 1 lower level
Leslie Glaiser Champions lower level
10:15 AM - 11:25 PM
10:15 AM - 11:25 PM
Katrine Gosselin and Aimee Massafra Cheyenne Bailey lower level
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
11:45 AM - 1:15 PM
Tiffany Fixter and Morgan Forsyth Robert Trent Jones, Golf Building 2nd Floor
Craig Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Divinity Lake Terrace
1:45 PM - 2:55 PM
1:45 PM - 2:55 PM
Dr. Byron McClure Rocky Mountain A
Kristen Hayton Academy Carnation lower level
Emily Wilson, M.Ed. and Simon Schmid Divide 1 lower level
Sheila Lepkin Cripple Creek lower level
Claire Dean Sinclair Ph.D.and Georgia Magnera Ph.D, CCCSLP Ret Cascade lower level
Stephanie Cavallaro and Stephanie Games Cheyenne Bailey lower level
Tammy Curan, Jessica Bodden, Jenna Jeffress, Kyla Pellouchoud and Dana Green Divide 2 lower level
Dennis DeBay, Karin Rager, and Beyza Emine Louis Stratta lower level
Katherine Rains and Ann Wilson Rocky Mountain B main level
3:15 PM - 4:25 PM
3:15 PM - 4:25 PM
Corey Pollard M.S. Rocky Mountain C main level
Michelle Freddolino Louis Stratta lower level
Olive Jennings Cheyenne Bailey lower level
Kiki McGough Academy Carnation lower level
Kara Halley and Julie Richter Champions lower level
Lindsey Blankenship and Kati Cahill Divide 2 lower level
Christy Morgan Divide 1 lower level
Mykayla Storey Rocky Mountain D main level
Caroline Wyman and Courtney Parker Rocky Mountain B main level
Jody Dickerson MSN, BSN Cripple Creek lower level
Amanda Ferguson Cascade lower level
Craig A. Knippenberg, LCSW, M.Divinty Rocky Mountain A main level
Saturday, January 25
8:15 AM - 9:25 AM
8:15 AM - 9:25 AM
Colorado Spotlight Speaker, Cynthia Hildner Rocky Mountain A main level
Colorado Spotlight Speaker; Beth Friel Rocky Mountain B main level
Colorado Spotlight Speaker; Tracy Gershwin Ph.D., BCBA-D Rocky Mountain C main level
10:20 AM - 11:30 AM
10:20 AM - 11:30 AM
Nicole Crain-Girten Cascade lower level
Dr Jacque Phillips Rocky Mountain B main level
Aaron Miller and LEAD Students Divide 1 lower level
Maddie Karanevich and Peter Karanevich Champions lower level
Brandi Vos, Ed.S., NCSP Rocky Mountain D main level
Bryn Harris, Ph.D., NCSP, LP, and Hunter Smith Academy Carnation lower level
Cindy Goldrich, Ed.M., ADHDCSSP and Carly Wolf, MA Rocky Mountain A main level
11:45 AM - 12:55 PM
11:45 AM - 12:55 PM
Nora Chahbazi and Lindsay Journo Champions lower level
Andrea Laser and Julia Pfitzer Divide 2 lower level
Amber Vanzant and Maricela Shukie Cripple Creek lower level
Robin Howard and Gina Trujillo Cheyenne Bailey lower level
Bryan Wickoren, Kelly Kennedy, Sarah Brockberg and Katie Spirek Cascade lower level
Scott Schwartz, Ph.D., CCC/SLP Rocky Mountain D main level
Christy Morgan Divide 1 lower level
Raquel Caspi Ph.D. Rocky Mountain B main level
Dr. Rachel Toplis Rocky Mountain A main level
Ashley Goodwin-Herbert Louis Stratta main level
Kristen Schrader, Ph.D., NCSP, LC, Barb Umsted, MS, CCC-SLP, Shay Markle, OTR/L, DSc, and Jill Sprafke, M.Ed Academy Carnation lower level
Saturday, April 12
8:01 AM
8:01 AM
Speakers

Byron McClure

"Why We Need to Unlearn Deficit Thinking" "How to SPOT Student Strengths: Practical Strategies You Can Start Tomorrow"

Craig Knippenberg

Care and Feeding of the Exceptional Teachers/Parents Soul Wired and Connected: Understanding and Teaching Impulse

Ella Munk

My Journey: Striving for Inclusion and Connections

Tiffany Fixter

Brewability Morgan Forsyth and Tiffany Fixter

Morgan Forsyth

Brewability Tiffany Fixter and Morgan Forsyth

Cynthia Hildner

Are We Having FUN Yet? Reconnecting to Joy

Tracy Gershwin

The Calm Before the Learn: Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms for Teachers and Students

Beth Friel

Building a Better Road - Colorado Decision Review:

No records found.

Exhibitors

No records found.

Sponsors
Hotels
LOCATION
Broadmoor Hotel, 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Map
Location: Broadmoor Hotel, 1 Lake Avenue, Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Exhibitors Map

PhotoSome of the Exhibitors have changed location please look under Exhibitors to see

Mobile App Information at your finger tips
Mobile App Information at your finger tips

With the mobile event app you will be able to access all the information from the registration site; including agenda, presentations (if they have been shared with the us), exhibitors, maps of the conference area, etc. We look forward to seeing you at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort!

Photo

Adams State University Credit

Adams State University will offer credit for attending the conference and completing a reflection. For one credit hour students will need to complete an additional learning activity (post conference online film and online response).

Online sign-up for Adam's State University - Credit for Conferences: Courage to Risk.

The cost is $55 for one credit hour (both days) or $27.50 for 1/2 credit (one day).

Adams State will be in the Exhibit Hall Friday and Saturday for more information.


Silent Auction
                                                                            Join Us for our Silent Auction In the West Tower

                                                                                                 Friday January 24th  4:30 - 6:00

Scan the QR code to view and bid on the auction items! Items for auction will be added to the site as they come in. You will be available to peruse the items at the reception starting at  4:30. Bidding will close at 5:45. Items are added as they come in. 

There will be Hors d'oeuvres and cash bar.


Courage to Risk Apparel

If you are interested in purchasing Courage to Risk clothing, mugs and other treasures here is the QR code. Proceeds fund scholarships!


Luncheon map
Luncheon map

Here is a map to help you find the location of your luncheon.


Main floor session rooms map
Main floor session rooms map
Lower level session rooms map
Lower level session rooms map
Hotel information

People attending the conference may book rooms at The Courage to Risk Conference rate. 

To make a reservation by phone call the Broadmoor Resort directly at (855) 634-7711. Use reservation code CRC0125.

Room rates in the West Building, where the conference is being held, are $179 for a single and $185 for a double. There is a resort fee of $32/day.

Overnight parking is $35 and Valet parking overnight is $45.

Parking in the garage is $25 for up to 10 hours, over 10 hours is $35.

We suggest carpooling to avoid extra charges or tickets for parking in the neighborhoods.

Registration

Registration/Check In will be located in front of the Rocky Mountain Ballrooms in the Broadmoor West. Early check in will be held on Thursday from 5:00 - 7:00 pm. Registration/Check in will then re-open at 7:00 am on Friday. 



Sy Wallach Scholarship

The Sy Wallach Scholarship has been created in the spirit of collaboration and teamwork by building bridges between educational teams. 

There are a limited number of Sy Wallach Scholarships available. Qualification and the application form is available when registration opens and can be accessed at https://www.couragetorisk.org/sy-scholarship.