Eligibility

COYAC youth members must be:

• Ages 14-19
• Enrolled in and attending a Tribal or Colorado junior high, middle, or high school, including an online or charter school or approved facility school as defined in section 22-2-402, C.R.S.; be participating in a nonpublic, home-based educational program; be participating in a high school equivalency examination program; or have obtained a high school diploma through successful completion of a high school equivalency examination, as defined in section 22-33-102 (8.5).

What students gain from COYAC

• Practical knowledge about how laws are made in Colorado
• Training and practice in nonpartisanship and civility
• Leadership and negotiating skills
• Experience working and learning with diverse groups of people, coalition building, and teamwork
• Personal accountability, accomplishment, and confidence
• Skills in public speaking, research, and outreach
• Opportunity to build relationships in Colorado government, policy, and advocacy
• New friends!

Commitment

• Serve a two-year term (members may serve more than one term)
• Attend meetings
  • In-person days: Two-day retreat (August), Day at the Capitol (April), awards & senior send-off dinner (June). Limited travel funding is available based on financial need, on a case-by-case basis.
  • Virtual meetings on Zoom and Google Meet multiple times a month
• Fully participate in at least one student-led policy committee. These committees meet virtually – typically two to four times per month – to accomplish COYAC’s goals of advising and providing recommendations to members of the Colorado Legislature
• Respond promptly to all COYAC communications using an assigned @coyac.org email address and check email at least twice per week
• RSVP yes, no, or maybe to calendar invitations for meetings and events
• Complete paperwork by stated deadlines
• Communicate with students and youth organizations in your senate district about youth-related issues and the work of COYAC

More opportunities to get involved: Colorado Department of Education committees created by COYAC proposals

In 2021-2022, COYAC introduced policy proposals establishing three state committees aimed at empowering youth voices and enhancing knowledge across diverse subjects. We encourage Colorado teens to apply for these opportunities.

• SB23-008 Youth Involvement Education Standards Review
  • Pursuant to SB23-008 Youth Involvement Education Standards Review, CDE has opened the nomination and application process for youth advisors to the standards revision and review process, as well as the commissioner’s regional educator meetings.
  • Additional details on the process and timeline can be found on the CAS Review and Revision Website. Questions? Contact Samantha Messier, at messier_s@cde.state.co.us

• HB23-1009 Secondary School Student Substance Use Committee
  • HB23-1009 created the Secondary School Substance Use Committee to develop a practice or identify/modify existing practices, for secondary schools to implement to identify students’ substance use, offer intervention, and refer students to substance use treatment resources.
  • Formal appointments are made by the Commissioner of Education. Questions? Contact Shelbie​ Konkel, Senior Legislative Advisor, Colorado Department of Education, at Konkel_s@cde.state.co.us

• SB23-029 Disproportionate Discipline Task Force
  • SB23-029 created the Disproportionate Discipline Task Force to study and make recommendations regarding school district discipline policies and practices, state and local discipline reporting requirements, and local engagement.
  • Formal appointments are made by the Commissioner of Education. Information about the Disproportionate Discipline Task Force, including meeting dates, minutes, etc., will be posted on the School Climate, Behavior, and Discipline Initiatives webpage. Questions? Contact Shelbie​ Konkel, Senior Legislative Advisor, Colorado Department of Education, at Konkel_s@cde.state.co.us