At Colorado Adventure Center, creating unforgettable experiences starts with having an incredible team and few people embody that better than our Aerial Manager, Olivia Bishop.

Originally from Illinois, Olivia has spent years building her career in the aerial adventure industry. Her passion for challenge courses began in high school when she started working as a challenge course facilitator. What began as a part-time job quickly grew into a career that she has now pursued for more than a decade.

“I started working as a challenge course facilitator in high school and did that for about five or six years,” Olivia said. “During that time, I was promoted to Lead Challenge Course Facilitator, which really sparked my interest in training staff and getting into more of a management role.”

Her love for the industry continued through college at Illinois State University, where she earned both her undergraduate and graduate degrees in Recreation Administration. While attending school, Olivia worked at the university’s ropes course, gaining even more experience leading groups, facilitating programs and training staff.

Olivia Bishop’s Role At Colorado Adventure Center

Today, Colorado Adventure Center is the fifth aerial course Olivia has worked at.

“This is one of the most organized places I’ve worked,” Olivia said. “There’s a process for everything in place here, which is really nice. There’s also a lot of support from other people. I enjoy coming to work, and a lot of the time it doesn’t always feel like a job.”

For Olivia, the best part of her role is the variety each day brings.

“I love working with the staff,” she explained. “I enjoy guiding guests, but I also like the behind-the-scenes work. Having that mix of leadership, training and guest interaction is something I really enjoy.”

Olivia’s Favorite Zip Line

Her favorite attraction on the course? Line Four.

“My favorite zip line is Line Four because it’s the longest zip line in Colorado, and you get incredible views over the creek,” Olivia said.

Olivia’s Advice for First-Time Guests

While Olivia loves the thrill and excitement of the aerial park, she understands that many guests arrive feeling nervous about stepping off the platform for the first time. Her advice is simple: trust the process and trust the guides.

“Our guides are very well trained,” she said. “They go through a full week of training, complete shadowing shifts, and have to pass checkouts before working with guests. We also inspect our courses daily.”

Before guests ever leave the ground, the team conducts a comprehensive ground school where guides explain equipment, demonstrate safety procedures, and answer every question.

“We give very clear instructions before anybody goes up in the air,” Olivia said. “We make sure everyone understands the equipment and feels comfortable before starting.”

For hesitant guests, Olivia believes the ropes course and zip line offer something far more valuable than just an adventure.

“While it may feel scary at first, it’s an opportunity to grow and step outside your comfort zone,” she said. “Everyone has different limits, and that’s okay. The goal isn’t to compare yourself to someone else, it’s to challenge yourself and have fun.”

Whether she’s training guides, managing operations or helping guests conquer their fears high above the treetops, Olivia’s passion for adventure and people shines through in everything she does. Her leadership helps ensure that every guest who visits Colorado Adventure Center enjoys a safe, memorable and confidence-building experience.