In The News

Youth Advisory Council Proposes Solutions for Violence, Mental Health and Gender-Affirming Practices

Source: Westword

Young Coloradans are often affected by policies passed by the state legislature while not being old enough to have a say in such legislation. But what if the kids were in charge?
August 11, 2023


Colorado teens seek new state laws to support transgender youth (Paywalled)

Source: Colorado Politics

The laws could mean life or death for young transgender Coloradans, the teenagers argued, detailing first- and second-hand accounts of transgender youth struggling with suicidal ideations due to issues they say have policy solutions.- Featuring COYAC members Mason Evans, Leigh Schmidt, and Meghan Taylor.
August 9, 2023


Colorado Newsline: Colorado youth urge legislation to expand gender-affirming care training for providers

"A group of teenagers in Colorado might urge the Legislature to increase resources for health care providers to become trained in youth gender-affirming care as more people travel to the state from areas with limited access to such care...'This care is essential and it needs to be expanded statewide,' Mason Evans, a member of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, told state lawmakers during a virtual Wednesday hearing."
August 9, 2023


Governor’s Office news releases: Gov. Polis Signs Bills into Law

SB23-029 Disproportionate Discipline In Public Schools and SB23-076 Sunset Continue CO Youth Advisory Council
June 2, 2023


Governor’s Office news releases: Continuing to Make Sure Coloradans Can Access High-Quality, Affordable Health Care: Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera Signs Bills into Law

SB23-014 Disordered Eating Prevention
May 30, 2023


The Denver Post: Colorado bans sale of diet pills to kids as eating disorder prevention bills become law

Colorado insurers will soon be barred from using an antiquated weight calculation to block a patient from accessing eating disorder care, under a new law signed Tuesday that also bans the sale of certain diet pills to minors.
May 30, 2023


Governor’s Office news releases: Governor Polis Signs Legislation Into Law

SB23-008 Youth Involvement Education Standards Review and HB23-1009 Secondary School Student Substance Use
April 26, 2023


The Gazette: Legislators grapple with eating disorders, money, influence dominating Colorado Springs mayoral race

In Colorado, one in 10 residents will be diagnosed with an eating disorder in their lifetime, with many more going undiagnosed, according to the Denver-based Eating Disorder Foundation.
March 20, 2023


The Denver Post: Colorado — a national hub for eating disorder treatment — hopes to slow surging rate of stigmatized illness

Through these two bills, lawmakers and advocates say they want to curtail eating disorders here, working in schools and establishing preventative practices, like banning diet pills and educating adults to identify the diseases early.
March 20, 2023


Colorado Politics: As 1 in 10 Coloradans experience eating disorders, lawmakers consider action | COVER STORY

Resnick, now 18 years old and recovered from her anorexia, is trying to help prevent other young Coloradans from going through what she went through.
March 18, 2023