PARKER, Colo. — With scissors in hand and his family at his side, Broncos tackle Garett Bolles' foundation cut the ribbon on a project that means more to him than any win on the football field.

On Monday night, Bolles and speech-language pathologist Jennie Bjorem officially opened the doors to the Bjorem & Bolles Apraxia Education Initiative's new training center in Parker, Colorado. The first-of-its-kind facility will focus on helping educators and speech-language pathologists better diagnose and treat Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS), a rare motor speech disorder that affects children's ability to coordinate the movements necessary for speech.

For Bolles, the cause hits home. His son, Kingston, was diagnosed with CAS at age three, sparking both a personal journey and a public mission.

"I'm super excited," Bolles said. "This has just been a long process that we've brainstormed with a lot of people across the country to be able to open up a training center for special education teachers to be able to learn more about apraxia. … My son, Kingston, being a kid with apraxia, it's been a very difficult time for me and my wife the last couple years to find someone to help my kid learn how to talk. I never realized, being a Denver Bronco, and having this amazing state to be a part of and this amazing fan base, that I'd have one of the most renowned speech therapists 20 minutes from my home. Just being able to connect with her and becoming family with her and the love we have for her and what she's done to help Kingston. We talked about it so many times to be able to open a training center and teach so many teachers just like herself to be able to apply [skills] to so many kids and be able to change as many kids' lives as possible."

The center will serve as a hub for professional development, giving educators access to evidence-based, play-based training materials. It will also provide resources to families navigating apraxia and other learning differences.

"We have this school and have this place where we can start raising awareness first off," Bolles said, "and not only that, but [we're] helping this community of [special educations] teachers to be able to apply to what they're doing. … It's just a dream come true, for sure."

Bolles also laughed about the partnership's early rivalry.

"She's a Kansas City fan," he said of Bjorem. "So, I had to tell her, eventually you are going to become a Broncos fan over time. … She does wear orange and blue now."

The nonprofit, officially a 501(c)(3), also houses the "I Am King" program, Bolles' original giveback initiative through his GB3 Foundation. Inspired by Kingston, the campaign emphasizes education, empathy and awareness within the learning disability community.

The Parker center represents only the first step.

"We want to see how far we can go," Bolles said. "Eventually, we want to open up a school for kids with apraxia. … It's all about love and confidence and teaching these people that there is hope, because a lot of these parents struggle. We want them to know that there is hope coming."

As Kingston continues to make strides — reading, writing and finding his voice — Bolles said the new center carries a deeply personal meaning.

"It's going to make me teary-eyed," Bolles said. "Because seeing where my son is now just gives me hope that he's going to be successful and he's found his voice and confidence. He's learning new words every day, he's reading, he's writing and he's growing as a man. And that's all you want as a father — you just want to see your kids be successful, you want to see your kids do whatever they can in life and live their dream like I am playing football. As I sign my autograph, I always say 'Live your dream.' That's truly what it is. I want kids to live their dream. I want kids to be able to voice themselves and communicate and have a passion for whatever they're doing."

Through initiatives like the apraxia center, Bolles has made it clear that his legacy in Denver goes beyond football.

"I could've gone anywhere after this past season," he said. "But I knew I wanted to be a Bronco for the remainder of my career. Not just the football aspect, but I think it's the legacy that I want to leave here. … I wanted to make an impact not just on the football field, but in the community."

On a night when family, friends and neighbors gathered to celebrate the milestone, Bolles reflected on both the journey and the future.

"To give back in so many ways is awesome and always what I've wanted," Bolles said. "I never thought this day would come, but it's coming and I'm just so grateful."