The grand opening of the 64th location in the national network introduces free, life-changing educational and therapeutic programs to individuals with Down syndrome throughout the Pikes Peak region on September 26.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers will officially welcome GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs as the 64th Playhouse in its growing network on Saturday, September 26, bringing free educational, therapeutic, career-development and social programs to individuals with Down syndrome and their families throughout the Pikes Peak region.

GiGi's Playhouse founder and Chief Belief Officer Nancy Gianni and her daughter and namesake, GiGi Gianni, will be onsite to celebrate the milestone and welcome Colorado Springs into the GiGi's Playhouse family.

The public is invited to the grand opening celebration representing the culmination of years of determination by a group of Colorado Springs-area parents who came together around a shared vision: to build a place where individuals with Down syndrome would be welcomed, challenged, celebrated and supported throughout every stage of life.

"GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs was built by families who refused to accept that opportunity should depend on a diagnosis or a ZIP code," said Nancy Gianni. "These parents saw what their children deserved and made courageous decisions to create it. We are honored to welcome Colorado Springs as our 64th Playhouse and to stand beside this community as it changes lives and changes perceptions for generations to come."

The vision for the Colorado Springs Playhouse began with local families searching for resources, connections, and hope.

Colorado Springs Playhouse Startup Lead Katie Stoddard has a daughter, Margo, who was born with Down syndrome. Stoddard found GiGi's Playhouse online shortly after Margo's birth but discovered there wasn't a Playhouse near her family. When a group of local parents came together with the same hope, the Colorado Springs startup team was born.

"I would tell them that GiGi's Playhouse is a community center for people with Down syndrome, where all the programming is completely free, and it is giving people of all ages opportunities to grow, to learn, to be included, to be celebrated," said Stoddard. "I want a place where Margo can be really celebrated and supported, and GiGi's Playhouse seems like it would be that place."

For families like Stoddard's, and fellow startup committee member Stephanie Kerscher, the Playhouse is about far more than opening a building. It is about creating a lifelong home where their children can develop relationships, gain practical skills, pursue meaningful careers, and grow into greater independence.

"GiGi's is a little bit of magic on earth. It's a place where everybody belongs — not only do the kids learn, but the volunteers learn, the parents learn. Everybody that walks through the door takes something with them," said Stephanie Kerscher, a member of the Colorado Springs startup committee. "It isn't just about the individual with Down syndrome. It's about our entire community. With your help, we can make it happen."

GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs offers comprehensive, purposeful programs for all ages, from infancy to adulthood. Offerings include early-language development, group social programming, GiGiFIT, GiGi's Kitchen, individualized literacy and math tutoring, and adult career skills.

All GiGi's Playhouse programs are provided 100% free of charge to families, regardless of income or insurance status.

The Playhouse will also serve as a community hub where parents can find encouragement and guidance, siblings can build relationships, volunteers can become advocates and community members can learn what true acceptance and inclusion look like in practice.

That sense of belonging is central to GiGi's Playhouse mission of changing the way the world views Down syndrome and sending a global message of acceptance for all.

Grand Opening Celebration

The public is invited to join GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs families, volunteers, supporters and community leaders for the grand opening celebration.

Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026

Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Location: GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs

Address: 2360 Montebello Square Dr, Suite A, Colorado Springs, CO 80918

To learn more about GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs, volunteer, support its free programs or register for the grand opening celebration, visit gigisplayhouse.org/coloradosprings.

About GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers is a network of nonprofit organizations providing free educational, therapeutic, career-development and social programs for individuals with Down syndrome from prenatal diagnosis through adulthood. 

Through its growing network of Playhouses and virtual programming, GiGi's Playhouse empowers individuals and families while advancing a global message of acceptance and inclusion. All programs are offered free of charge to families and are made possible through the generosity of donors, volunteers, partners and communities.

Media Contact
Katie Stoddard, Start Up Lead, kstoddard@gigisplayhouse.org
Macy Dyke, Site Manager, 720-412-3180
GiGi's Playhouse Colorado Springs
720-412-3180
coloradosprings@gigisplayhouse.org 

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SOURCE GiGi’s Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers