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Colorado legislature set to cut program getting teens involved at the Capitol (Paywalled)
Source: The Colorado Sun
The Colorado legislature, as part of its efforts to close a budget hole of more than $1 billion, is planning to axe a nearly two-decade effort to enlist teenagers from across the state to help draft and offer input on bills. Shutting down the Colorado Youth Advisory Council would save about $50,000 a year. That’s a relatively paltry amount, but it’s meant to send a message that costs must be trimmed wherever possible.
February 21, 2025
Effort to reduce food waste in schools clears Colorado committee
Source: Fox31/CW2 TV
“We have a problem where people are not getting fed and we have schools where they are just throwing stuff in the trash can. And we had good-intentioned bills that put into place measures that want us to do good things like feed people, but we have no measure or protection in place for that food that goes in the trash can,” said Rep. Ron Weinberg of Loveland. The new bill encourages public schools to establish a program where students can return whole food or drinks, an idea presented to lawmakers by the Colorado Youth Advisory Council — the group of young people that presents ideas for laws every year.
February 13, 2025
Students look forward to a second year on Chief’s Youth Advisory Council, applications now open (Paywalled)
Source: The Colorado Springs Gazette
Ayush Vispute, a sophomore at Rampart High School, said he hopes to talk more about the issue of vaping in schools. "One thing that I want to advise the chief on and make him more aware of is the amount of vapes and drugs that are used in schools on a daily basis," Vispute said. "When you walk into a school bathroom, there's often just a hoard of people vaping, and that's something that's inherently a problem." Vispute also is a member of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council, where he said several other members say vaping in schools is also one of their major concerns.
August 28, 2024
Rep. Vigil Statement on Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee Meeting
Source: State Representative Stephanie Vigil
Statement from Representative Stephanie Vigil, Colorado Springs:
“As a member and Vice Chair of the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee, I have the honor of engaging with Colorado youth about their most pressing issues. These hardworking students are Colorado’s future leaders, and I am impressed with their interest in the legislative process and all of the work that they put in to present their ideas to the committee. It is an honor to work alongside them to draft potential legislation that can make a real difference in our schools and communities, like reducing food waste in our schools and ensuring our school buildings are accessible for people with disabilities, and I am excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
August 15, 2024
Source: Colorado Newsline
Teens from the Colorado Youth Advisory Council presented to a state committee ideas that could turn into bills during the 2025 legislative session. The ideas included policy proposals related to naloxone distribution, accessibility and clean energy. The proposals were developed by committees within the COYAC. The group of teenagers on the council come from all over the state and range in age from 14 to 19. Students presented their ideas for the next session to the Legislature’s Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee last week.
August 6, 2024
These teens want to change the world — starting with Colorado laws
Source: Chalkbeat Colorado
Help schools install solar panels to cut fossil fuel use. Reduce cafeteria food waste by creating “share” tables and composting programs. Stock opioid overdose remedies in school AED cabinets. These are a few of ideas that Colorado teens proposed to state lawmakers on Thursday as part of a program that seeks to include young people in the legislative process. It’s possible some of the ideas could eventually become law.
August 1, 2024
Seeking youth advisor to Colorado Academic Standards revision committee (Apply by Aug. 1)
Source: Colorado Department of Education
A 2022 COYAC proposal that became SB23-008 Youth Involvement Education Standards Review created this position! The Colorado Department of Education will soon be accepting nominations and applications for Youth Advisors (ages 14-19) to the Colorado Academic Standards revision process for 2024-26. Applications open on June 1, 2024 and close at 11:59 PM on August 1, […]
June 12, 2024
A panel of students helps Colorado write laws. It’s looking for its next crop of teens.
Source: The Colorado Sun
The legislature’s longtime nonpartisan organization for youth is recruiting new members who want to help shape bills and the direction of the state
June 4, 2024
Legislature seeks applications for Youth Advisory Council
Source: The Mountain Mail
The Colorado General Assembly announced in a press release that it is looking for youth ages 14-19 to serve on the nonpartisan Colorado Youth Advisory Council for the 2024-25 term.
May 30, 2024
Colorado Youth Advisory Council seeks teen members
Source: Montrose Daily Press
The Colorado Legislature has openings for its nonpartisan Colorado Youth Advisory Council for the 2024-25 term, including in the local district, Senate District 5.
May 29, 2024