September 2026
Youth Opportunities Newsletter
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There is ONE WEEK left to register for the 2026 Youth Town Hall!
The Youth Town Hall is about youth having a say in what happens in Jefferson County. It gives youth a space to speak on important issues, to gather real input from other youth, and to use the gathered information to create visible change in our community as part of Jeffco CTC’s efforts.
The 2026 Youth Town Hall will be Saturday, September 19th, from 12:45 PM - 3:00 PM at the Lloyd G. Clements Community Center (1580 Yarrow St. Lakewood, CO 80214).
Qdoba will be provided and participants will receive a $25 Amazon gift card!
Register by September 9th. Youth must be 11-22 years old to participate.
Tell your friends!
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Want to know what we are doing with the Youth Town Hall data?
We're inviting coalition members (youth and adults) to join our Data and Priorities Session. During the Data and Priorities Session, we'll look at what we heard at the Jeffco CTC Youth Town Hall along with results from the 2025 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey.
You don't need to be a "numbers person" to be part of these meetings. We'll handle the analysis; we need your insights and perspective on what the data means and where the Coalition should prioritize its work!
You don't have to attend all of the meetings, but attendance at the majority of the meetings will be helpful.
- Wednesday, October 7th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
- Wednesday, October 21st, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
- Wednesday, November 4th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
- Wednesday, November 18th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
- Wednesday, December 2nd, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
- Wednesday, December 16th, 4:00pm - 5:30pm (virtual)
Plus, youth who participate in meetings are paid for their time and expertise! Sign up to be part of the Data and Priorities Session today!
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The Scholars Speaker’s Bureau is a dynamic program housed within UpRISE: Colorado's Youth Tobacco Control Movement. It is designed to empower students in post-secondary spaces in Colorado to become influential voices on issues that matter to them including, but not limited to, tobacco and nicotine use. Through comprehensive training and hands-on project development, participants will gain invaluable skills in public speaking, advocacy, and civic engagement.
Who can apply?
This program is open to those pursuing any form of post-secondary education/training and/or young adults age 18-35 in Colorado, including:
- Students enrolled in trade or vocational school: these programs provide job-specific training and are a key part of the post-secondary landscape.
- Students enrolled in a 2-year college: this refers to community colleges, which offer associate degrees and certificates.
- Students enrolled in a 4-year university: this includes undergraduate students pursuing bachelor's degrees.
- Post-graduate students: this includes those pursuing Master's, doctoral, and other professional degrees after earning a bachelor's degree.
Why should you apply?
- Your voice, your story, and your experiences are powerful! In this program, we will support you in sharing your voice to make a difference. We'll equip you with the public speaking and storytelling skills to reach others effectively, as well as providing additional training to help you thrive.
Application deadline: September 13th
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TWO MORE DAYS to submit your design for the "I Voted" Sticker Contest.
The Colorado Secretary of State’s Elections Division is excited to announce that all Colorado high school students can submit their designs for the “I Voted” digital sticker contest.
Whether you are an aspiring artist or graphic designer or love expressing your creativity through drawing or illustration, they look forward to seeing what you will create. The creator of the winning design will be featured in a statewide press release, media coverage, and BallotTrax messages.
Additionally, the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office staff will present the award during an assembly at the artist’s school.
Contest dates
- Submission opens March 16, 2026 at 12:00 AM.
- Submission closes September 4, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
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Explore Upcoming Art & Enrichment Classes with Wheat Ridge Parks & Recreation!
Glazed and Confused: Experiment with coil building techniques in clay!
- September 4th - 11th, 5 - 7 PM
- Anderson Building
- Ages 13-18
Mug Shot: Design your own personalized drinking cup!
- October 8th - November 5th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
- Recreation Center
- Ages 12-16
Ink and Insight: Relax and express yourself through abstract art!
- November 6th, 5:30 - 7:30 PM
- Anderson Building
- Ages 11-18
Intro to Role-Playing Games (RPGs): Fantasy tabletop role-playing games for teens!
- November 16th - December 14th, 10 Am - 12 PM
- Recreation Center
- Ages 10-14
Vision and Vibes: A creative space for teens to design their future!
- January 2nd, 10 AM - 12 PM
- Anderson Building
- Ages 12-17
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Whatever it is, it Matters
Reach out to the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line for 25/7 emotional support.
Call - Text 988 - Live Chat at 988colorado.com
| | | |  | Trained counselors are here to support LGBTQIA+ youth 24/7. If you are a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe and judgement-free place to talk, call the Trevor Lifeline now at 1-866-488-7386, text ‘START’ to 678-678,or chat with a trained professional online. | | | | | The I Matter program can connect you with a therapist for up to 6 free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential. Talking with someone can make you feel better. To start, click on “Youth” below to take a short survey. Be as honest as possible: your answers will help match you with the right therapist. | | |
Emily Tucker
she/her, Coalition Manager
Sasha Hutchings
she/her, Executive Director
General Information
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Jefferson County Communities That Care's mission is
-- in partnership with youth --
to improve health, safety, and wellness in Jefferson County.
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This monthly newsletter, created by Jeffco CTC staff, is distributed to our coalition's mailing list which anyone can subscribe or unsubscribe to at any time using the links at the end. View this newsletter as a webpage by clicking the link at the top.
This project was created by the Jefferson County Communities That Care (Jeffco CTC) coalition, which is housed within the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. Jeffco CTC is funded through an Elevating Prevention in Colorado (EPIC) grant. The views, policies and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the grant provider.
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