ABC Disability Support Group

A few of our own are up for a service/leadership award in Trinidad. The Trinidad Chenoweth Award has been a prestigious award since 1979 this award in Trinidad area has honored citizens whose service to the community has greatly enhanced our quality of life. The award is named after its first recipient, Judge and Congressman J. Edgar Chenoweth. Mr. Chenoweth exemplified leadership and service to the Las Animas County area. Stay tuned to see who is announced a winner on April 11th.

2026 Chenoweth Award Nominees: Mark and Liz Lyles, Founders of ABC Disability Support Group

Mark and Liz Lyles have called Trinidad home for over eleven years. Mark moved to the Valdez area in 1988 with his mother, and he graduated from Primero High School. Liz and Mark met in Denver, where they both pursued careers in nursing. Their connection to Trinidad deepened during visits to Mark’s family, and Liz soon fell in love with the region.

With Mark boasting over 25 years of nursing experience and Liz bringing 16 years in the field, their professional backgrounds lay the foundation for their advocacy work. Additionally, Liz is trained in special education law, serving as a dedicated advocate for families navigating the complexities of educational resources.

Their journey into advocacy was sparked by personal challenges as they sought support for their daughter, who has a rare genetic disorder. Faced with barriers in the school system and limited resources, Mark and Liz took it upon themselves to create the community support they needed, leading to the establishment of the ABC Disability Support Group in 2018. This non-profit organization is committed to advocating for individuals with disabilities and has worked tirelessly with local schools and the City of Trinidad to improve special education resources, enhance accommodations for individuals with disabilities, and raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by this community.

Through years of hard work and collaboration, Mark and Liz have successfully spearheaded numerous initiatives, including the installation of a wheelchair swing at Trinidad’s community center and the acquisition of all-terrain wheelchairs for state parks. Liz also authored a proposal that resulted in the renovation of Central Park's ballpark to improve accessibility.

In addition to these substantial enhancements, ABC Disability Support Group organizes all-inclusive activities and social events, such as the Champions Accessibility Road Race, as well as parent support groups, educational workshops, personalized transportation services, and referral systems to connect families to essential resources.

Mark and Liz are passionate about ensuring that other families do not face the same struggles they encountered. Their tireless efforts have fostered a supportive community dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all abilities. ABC Disability Support Group is proud to be the only non-profit special education advocate south of Pueblo, Colorado.

As they continue to expand their impact, they have developed partnerships with various local and state-level organizations including Peak Parent Center, EI Colorado, Family Support, HuLA, The Arc of Colorado, Disability Law Colorado, the State of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Extreme Motus, Special Olympics, and Pulseline Collaborative. Their efforts have been recognized statewide, particularly as a resource for Developmental Pediatrics at Children's Hospital Colorado. More recently, they have engaged with additional organizations such as Spark the Change Colorado, Trinidad State College, and Best Buddies.

Since the formation of ABC Disability Support Group, Mark and Liz have positively impacted over a hundred families with children and adults with disabilities in the Trinidad area.

🌟🎉 Feeling incredibly blessed at ABC Disability Support Group ! Today, we had the privilege of hosting an all-abilities Easter egg hunt that brought together over 50 amazing children! 🐰

With over 700 eggs for the children to enjoy it was heartwarming to see them participate in a safe, sensory-friendly environment, and they loved meeting the Easter Bunny alongside their neurotypical peers. 🥚💖

Thank you to everyone who joined us and made this day so special. Together, we are creating opportunities for joy, inclusion, and community. Here’s to many more unforgettable moments! 🌈🤗

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our co-sponsor, Nichols Cottonwood Corner, for generously providing the space for our community to come together and create lasting memories. Their support made this event possible and helped facilitate a celebration of inclusion and joy for all participants.🙌🙌

Thank you to all who joined us for this memorable day. Together, we continue to create opportunities for joy, inclusion, and community connection. We look forward to many more events that foster collaboration and support among our diverse population.💖💖