The owner of King Soopers and City Market stores in Colorado has agreed to make its stores more accessible to shoppers who use wheelchairs.
As part of a settlement with the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, the Dillon Cos. Inc. – which does business as King Soopers and City Market – will make improvements to its 101 King Soopers and 35 City Market stores in the state.
Dillon is a subsidiary of Cincinnati-based Kroger Co.
Lawsuits filed by the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition have forced several retailers to improve their accessibility. Earlier this month, the group secured a record $16.25 million settlement against Kmart in an agreement that forced the retailer to improve access for shoppers at 1,400 stores nationwide.
The Dillon Cos. will not pay any fines as part of the settlement, which was approved by a federal judge Tuesday.
The company will work with Access By Design, an accessibility consulting firm, to determine accessibility options at stores in a pilot program. Improvements are expected to target parking, service counters and areas where customers line up.
The company will bring the rest of its stores into compliance within five years.
Kevin Williams, legal program director for the Cross-Disability Coalition, said he did not know how much the improvements would cost Dillon. A company spokesman did not immediately return a message.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
