She has won four bronze medals in Summer Paralympics and medals in Winter Paralympics for skiing.Bourgonje's silver medal in the 10 km sit-ski at the 2010 Winter Paralympics was Canada's first at home.She is a part-time physical education substitute teacher, and currently resides in Prince Albert.
To honour Colette, an elementary school and a street have been named after her in Saskatoon.
In 1997, a sign was placed Porcupine Plain, promoting it as Bourgonje's and distinguishing her as a successful Paralympian.
She became an inductee in Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2019