When young people belong, our communities thrive.
When young people belong, Larimer County wins.
If we want a strong future, we have to build it here — and that means giving our young people real reasons to stay.
In Larimer County, opportunity shouldn’t require a U-Haul.
Here’s the commitment:
Explore & Experience: Early Belonging Pathways
Goal:
Ensure every young person — rural, urban, low-income, first-generation, or otherwise — has access to meaningful enrichment and exploration opportunities.
Action Steps:
Expand Community Partnerships
- Convene nonprofits, cultural organizations, school districts, and municipalities to create a coordinated youth enrichment network.
- Align county resources with programs already operating through partners like SummitStone Health Partners, Boys & Girls Clubs, arts organizations, and cultural groups.
- Focus on accessibility: transportation support, sliding-scale fees, rural access.
Youth Opportunity Pass
- Explore a countywide “Youth Opportunity Pass” that provides low-cost or free access to recreation, arts, workforce exploration events, and community programming.
- Coordinate with cities like Fort Collins, Loveland, and Wellington to integrate access across municipal programs.
Mental Health & Belonging Integration
- Expand youth peer-mentorship and early intervention partnerships.
- Support community-based youth spaces that prioritize connection and resilience.
Engage & Lead: Youth Voice in Decision-Making
Goal:
Move youth from “participants” to decision-makers.
Action Steps:
County Youth Advisory Council
- Establish a formal Youth Advisory Council representing rural and urban communities.
- Create direct advisory channels to the Board of County Commissioners.
Youth Seats on Boards & Task Forces
- Include youth representatives on planning, climate, transportation, and community health advisory groups.
- Provide mentorship from experienced leaders to build civic literacy.
Annual Youth Summit
- Host a countywide Youth Opportunity Summit focused on workforce, housing, climate, and entrepreneurship.
- Capture policy recommendations and publicly report back on progress.
This isn’t symbolic. It’s leadership development.
Launch & Work: Career Pathways That Keep Talent Local
Goal:
Build a workforce ecosystem that makes staying in Larimer County a smart economic choice.
Action Steps:
Employer & Trade Partnerships
- Convene Chambers, unions, trade associations, and employers to build apprenticeship pipelines.
- Expand collaboration with Poudre School District, Thompson School District, and Front Range Community College.
Career Exploration Before Graduation
- Scale internships, job-shadowing, and paid summer employment programs.
- Prioritize high-demand fields: construction, clean energy, healthcare, water, behavioral health, advanced manufacturing.
Youth Entrepreneurship Incubator
- Launch a county-supported small business incubator track for young adults.
- Provide mentorship, permitting navigation support, and micro-grant partnerships.
Live & Thrive: Housing That Makes Staying Possible
Goal:
Make it realistic for young adults to afford living in the communities that raised them.
Action Steps:
Starter Home & Missing Middle Advocacy
- Encourage zoning flexibility and partnerships that expand townhomes, duplexes, and starter homes in growth areas.
Live-Work & Workforce Housing
- Integrate youth workforce housing priorities into broader county housing coalitions.
- Build employer-supported housing partnerships.
Regional Collaboration
- Work with municipalities and employers to align land use, infrastructure, and workforce goals.
- Focus on retaining local graduates before they are priced out.
Caucus for Lisa in March
Help put Lisa on the primary ballot! Become a delegate for Lisa at Larimer County Caucus on March 5th!