KALEB COOK

Kaleb was raised in Robins, Iowa, where he first fell in love with adaptive recreation while working as a camp counselor for people with disabilities. He attended the University of Iowa, earning his degree in Therapeutic Recreation and becoming a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS). In 2020, he moved to Colorado to continue pursuing his passion for inclusive outdoor adventure.

Kaleb has spent years working in community-based disability service organizations, including the National Sports Center for the Disabled and the National Ability Center. Most recently, he worked as a nonprofit innovation consultant, supporting disability-centered initiatives across Puerto Rico, Colorado, and Florida.

Kaleb is excited to build roots and community in Steamboat Springs and looks forward to growing alongside the STARS programs.

Why I love STARS

“As a disabled person myself, I have personally experienced the transformative power of adaptive recreation. What makes STARS so special is that we are not only providing recreation experiences — we are cultivating a disability-inclusive community where people can discover their identity, build meaningful connections, and develop independence that carries into everyday life.

Managing the STARS program truly feels like a dream job, and spending my days sharing recreation with our participants continually fills my cup.” 

More about Kaleb

• Kaleb has a Plott hound mix named Fra$er who joins him on nearly every outdoor adventure.

• He loves to ski, snowboard, mountain bike, sew, camp, backpack, climb, and spend time at the beach.

• He is fluent in American Sign Language and is passionate about advancing language equity for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community in adaptive recreation.