In The News

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado lawmakers may waive college tuition for foster youth

Many college students lack the necessary support to finish college. For students who were in the foster care system, sometimes there’s no support at all. A bill in the Colorado legislature would waive college tuition and fees for students who were in foster care past the age of 13.
February 3, 2022


Denver7: Colorado teen council to meet with lawmakers

Denver7's Deb Stanley interviewed COYAC member Taleen Sample before a 2021 interim committee meeting of the state legislature.
October 21, 2021


Colorado Politics: School tip line sees 101% uptick in calls; interim panel examines legislative solutions

In their presentation to the Colorado Youth Advisory Council Committee, Aimee Resnick, a senior at Cherry Creek High School, Taleen Sample, a senior at Kent Denver School, and Bennett Lane, a senior at Denver North High School, said Safe2Tell was an effective tool in deterring school shootings.
October 12, 2021


Rocky Mountain PBS: Two Colorado teens, one born in the U.S. and the other in Afghanistan, share a poem of hope

Features COYAC Alum: Marwa Ahmadzai - Marwa Ahmadzai and Wisall Safi live just a few blocks away from one another in Thornton, Colorado. The teens have been friends for three years. But growing up, the friends hardly could have been further apart.
August 25, 2021


Colorado Politics: Youth panel calls for bills on mental health, access to higher education for foster care students

A panel of high school students charged with developing legislative recommendations on Friday told lawmakers they want to see bills improving access to mental health services for youth and higher education for foster students as well as measures to revamp the youth advisory council.
August 20, 2021


The Colorado Sun: Free meals, flexible schedules: Colorado kids on where federal stimulus money for schools should go

The state listened to a dozen students talk about their pandemic-challenged school year and how Colorado could make next year better.
July 9, 2021


Centennial Citizen: Making a difference as a teen

Youth Commission member Aimee Resnick says city making relevant decisions
March 2, 2021


Northglenn Thornton Sentinel: Ananda Birungi believes her own story, and so do others

Thornton High School grad receives a 2020 Governor’s Citizenship Medal
January 14, 2021


The Colorado Sun: Voices of Colorado youth, amplified by activism and opportunity, find receptive ears with lawmakers

Prodded by a contagious concern for their future, students engage with the legislative process -- and increasingly find their ideas reflected in results.
December 10, 2020


Rocky Mountain PBS: Aimee’s Story

Aimee Resnick wants other young people to know the path to recovery is not always easy. The 15-year-old says she first planned to end her life when she was 12.
November 23, 2020