Civic Engagement Resource Hub
Interested in civic engagement, political action, activism, or looking for a meaningful way to get involved in your community? This resource page highlights opportunities for civic engagement in Colorado, whether that be through Colorado Young Leaders or via an individual service opportunity with one of our nonprofit partners. See the list below for ways to get involved, and reach out to Flora (flora@coloradoyoungleaders.org) or the CYL team with any questions!
This list will be updated regularly, so please check back for more information about opportunities for civic engagement in your communities!
2024 Election Resources & Information
From Youth Service America:
"With nearly 8.3 million Americans having turned 18 since the 2022 election, voter education plays a vital role in ensuring that these new voters are prepared to navigate the voting process and make informed decisions. Encouraging youth to engage in discussions with their peers about key issues, researching candidates, and understanding how voting impacts their communities can create a ripple effect that strengthens our democracy.
This National Voter Education Week Voting Checklist will help you navigate the voting process with ease. You will find practical steps and tools to help you register to vote, understand your ballot, and locate your polling place. By becoming an informed voter and encouraging others to do the same, you contribute to a more robust democracy.
Registering to vote is like RSVPing to democracy’s party—your invitation to have a say in shaping the future!
Know your ballot, know your power—research candidates, understand initiatives, and cut through the noise to vote smart.
Whether it’s hitting the polls early or on Election Day, mailing in your ballot, or ensuring you have the right ID, preparation ensures your voice is heard around your own schedule.
Gain confidence in your vote by understanding the process: from election rules to ballot counting, knowledge empowers your voice at the polls.
Share with your friends and family!
People are more likely to vote when encouraged by someone they know and trust! Share knowledge with loved ones to empower them in the electoral process.
As we wrap up National Voter Education Week, consider what actions you can take moving forward. Make sure you know when early voting starts in your state. For eligible voters, there may be time to do more voter education before starting get out the vote activities. For younger age groups, it’s never too early to teach about our democracy and the importance of civic engagement. Use these great resources to empower youth with knowledge and encourage them to participate in the democratic process:
- Rock the Vote - Democracy Class
- Teaching for Democracy Alliance - Instruction on Elections and Voting
- iCivics - Election Headquarters
- Learning to Give - Voting and Civic Participation Toolkit
- Learning for Justice - Future Voters Project
- Scholastic - Election 2024
Service Vote Youth Voter Education Toolkit
Opportunities and Events
At these civic engagement opportunities/events, CYL staff may not be present, and will not be facilitating the activity. We encourage CYL students to step out of their comfort zones and try out one of these individual opportunities with a community nonprofit partner! Students can sign up alone, or bring a friend/family member!
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CYL-led Opportunity Description: Sign up for Changemaker Meetings with CYL to build community with other young leaders and have the chance to develop a collaborative service project in the Spring! These meetings are meant to spark conversations around community issues, potential strategies for change, and allow CYLers to connect both with each other and with their adult mentors leading the meetings. When & Where: Biweekly, every 2nd and 4th week of the month; Times/days and locations vary based on chapter. Click on the link above to view the various changemaker meeting times (associated with each chapter: Central Denver, Southwest Denver, etc.). |
Volunteer with Youth Service America to Get Out the Vote! Description: YSA’s ServiceVote campaign asks young people to help register, educate, and get their peers out to vote; to connect their volunteering and service to voting and advocacy on the issues they care about; and to call on public officials to create spaces at every decision-making table for young voices. Click the link above to view opportunities for involvement and to sign up! |
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Volunteer with New Era Colorado Description: New Era Colorado is committed to youth-based civic engagement across Colorado, specifically around removing accessibility barriers and increasing voter turnout of the younger population. New Era Colorado offers opportunities for peer-to-peer empowerment, and works to build political and social power among disenfranchised populations both within the political system and beyond the ballot box. Volunteer with New Era Colorado to get involved in the political system and join their fight for “a better Colorado”! |
Description: Young Aspiring Americans for Social & Political Activism (YAASPA) is an organization that connects youth with opportunities such as fellowships, workshops, internships, and other ways for youth to develop their leadership skills with a specific application to civic engagement and social/political activism. Browse available programs at the link above and reach out to the CYL team if you have any questions about how to get involved with this organization! |
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Sign Up to Make Calls or Knock on Doors to Support Conservation Colorado's Candidate In the last few weeks before the election, volunteer to phone bank or canvas to support one of Conservation Colorado's endorsed candidates that support environmental conservation. Conservation Colorado works throughout the state to protect our environmental resources (land, air, water), and our people. |
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Individual Engagement Actions
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In Colorado, you can register to vote at the age of 16! Register today and use your civic power in local and federal elections. If you aren’t 16 yet, consider helping a friend or family member register––you can also update your address through the link above. Nonpartisan Voter Guide specific to Colorado New Era Colorado 2022 Youth Agenda Voter Guides See also this resource on detecting misinformation And this resource provides resources and facts related to key election issues |
Description: Amplify your voice and illuminate your community’s interests by signing up to give public testimony at a Denver city council meeting! City council meetings occur every Monday from 3:30pm-5:00pm and address public comment from 5-5:30pm. Sign up to give testimony at the link above, or tune into the meeting through the Zoom link provided! When & Where: Mondays at 5:00pm at Cathy Reynolds City Council Chamber at 1437 Bannock St, 4th Floor. |
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Sign Alliance for Youth Action’s Petition Description: Click the link above to sign Alliance for Youth Action’s petition calling for automatic voter registration at state offices, such as the DMV, as well as permanent voting rights for all U.S. citizens and the freedom to choose the method of voting that works best for you. |
Description: The Student Voice Organizing Fellowship trains 25 high school students from across the United States in education justice organizing and leadership development. Over the course of a school year, Student Voice Organizing Fellows will be prepared to advance education justice and create systemic social change in their schools and local areas. Fellows are awarded a $1,000 stipend for 2-5 hours/week over the course of the year. Click the link above to learn more! |
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Description: Vote16USA is a national campaign, organized by Generation Citizen, that aims to support efforts to lower the voting age on the local level, help start new local campaigns, and elevate the issue’s prominence on a national level. Click the link above to learn how to start your own campaign for this initiative or to become an advocate for a lower voting age in the United States! |
Join the Mayor’s Youth Commission Description: Youth commissioners work together with adults to help develop procedures and processes, ensuring equal rights through legislation and administrative action, and creating goals and action plans for the city. Applications are open year round, but interviews will be held in May and June, 2022. Click the link above to submit your application! |
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Description: As a member of the council, youth could provide their perspective on community concerns, generate ideas for improvement, and discuss the role of the DA’s office. The council meets every third Wednesday of the month from 4:30-6:00pm. Click the link above to complete our application and get involved! |
Join the Brighton Youth Commission Description: the Brighton Youth Commission is composed of 22 youth and 6 adults appointed by the City Council to study and investigate issues impacting youth in Brighton. The Commission meets on the first and third Thursday of every month at 5:30pm (Brighton City Hall: 500 S. 4th Ave.). Meetings are open to the public, and for more information, click the link above! |
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Become a Civic Innovators Fellow Description: Apply to be a Spring 2023 Civic Innovators Fellow with Civics Unplugged! Fellows enroll in a three month program (2 hours/week) that focuses on leadership development and the discovery of each student's "You Shaped Hole" (the place where community needs intersect with a student's unique skills and passions). By the end of the program, students will have developed a "Civic Innovators Portfolio" to be used for academic and professional pursuits in the future! Click the link above to apply for Spring 2024! (Fall 2023 Application has closed) |
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Educational Resources
Resources for community members/organizations looking to engage youth in political activism and policy making:
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Building Effective Youth Councils This source provides a practical guide for engaging youth in policy making, particularly through the development of youth councils. |
Student Voice Roundtable Facilitation Guide Student Voice provides a PDF roundtable facilitation guide, specifically related to gathering feedback from students about their experience in school in order to inform educational policies. |
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Promotional Toolkit to Get Out The Vote! Guides.vote offers a promotional toolkit, including social media posts, newsletter templates, and suggested images for citizens and organizations looking to get out the vote and encourage civic engagement! |
United Nations Youth: “Youth, Political Participation and Decision-Making” United Nations Youth provides a survey of global initiatives supporting youth participation and highlights next steps for organizations and nations to center youth perspectives in policy making and political action. |
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Tufts CIRCLE: "From News Attention to Action: A Key Role for Civic Organizations" This article highlights the role of media in youth engagement in civic development, particularly when civic organizations give youth the opportunity to turn information into action. |
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Looking for Inspiration?
Check out CYL's podcast, "Generation Collaboration," created by youth in partnership with Youth on Record!
Dive into topics such as diversity and inclusion in higher education, joy and social change, equity, and youth leadership from a multi-generational, collaborative perspective.
