Colorado Youth Empowerment Center

The Colorado Youth Empowerment Center is a youth-centered organization focused on developing leaders through civic engagement, connection, and real-world impact. We support young people in leading projects that strengthen their sense of belonging, build leadership skills, and create positive change in their communities.

For the past 10 years, this work began as the Lafayette Communities That Care (CTC) Coalition. CTC is an internationally recognized, evidence-based model used by communities around the world to understand what young people need to succeed and take action to support them.

Our approach is grounded in the Social Determinants of Health, which looks at how environment shapes outcomes, and Positive Youth Development, which focuses on building strengths, leadership, and connection in young people.

With support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we have spent a decade bringing together schools, families, and community partners to reduce youth risk factors like substance use, disconnection from school, and violence, while strengthening protective factors like belonging, relationships, and leadership.

Youth have always been at the center of this work. We have engaged young people from across the community, and this next chapter has been shaped by both youth and adults working together. We believe in a simple idea: nothing about us without us.

As this funding comes to an end, we knew this work could not stop.

The Colorado Youth Empowerment Center was created to continue and grow this effort.

Our core program, Roots and Futures, supports youth through every step of that journey. Young people explore who they are, build strong relationships, and take action on issues that matter to them. They gain real experience speaking up, leading projects, and making an impact in their community.

To support this next chapter, we are proud to partner with Bridges of Opportunity as our fiscal sponsor. This ensures strong financial oversight and helps us grow this work in a sustainable way.

Your support helps us continue a decade of impact and invest in the next generation of leaders.