Colton’s path was also shaped by construction. He started in log home construction during high school, then transitioned to working for a general contractor, where he gained experience in concrete pouring, framing, and operating construction equipment. His drive led him to Texas, where he worked on road construction and oilfield platform preparation. While traveling between Texas and Colorado, he helped his father haul logs — until a log fell from the trailer, striking him in the back and leaving him with an incomplete T7 spinal cord injury. 

Despite their different backgrounds, both men faced a similar challenge: navigating hilly, and at times mountainous, terrain in a manual wheelchair. Recognizing the strain this placed on their shoulders, they each sought the Rio Firefly 2.5 electric wheelchair attachment — an innovative device that transforms a manual wheelchair into a powered one. 

Thanks to the generosity of The Joseph Groh Foundation’s donors, Cody and Colton now have the mobility assistance they need to reclaim their independence. Their stories are a testament to perseverance and the impact of community support.