Update: COYAC will continue! More details here: https://coloradosun.com/2025/03/12/colorado-youth-advisory-council-resurrected/ 

In 2008, Colorado State Representative Ellen Roberts (HD59-Durango) introduced House Bill 08-1157 to “examine, evaluate and discuss the issues, interests, and needs affecting Colorado youth now and in the future, and to formally advise and make recommendations to elected officials regarding those issues.” The Colorado Legislature passed the bill to create the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC), giving Colorado’s youth a voice in the lawmaking process.

In the years since then, COYAC members have created policy proposals on many different issues, from preventing overdose deaths, to making higher education accessible to foster youth, to involving youth in environmental justice. Yearly updates, and the laws inspired by this council, are available here: https://coyac.org/our-work/

Now, the State of Colorado is facing a structural budget deficit, and the legislature and governor must find over $1 billion in cuts for the State of Colorado fiscal year 2025-26 (July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026).

Early on Friday morning (Feb 21), the leadership of the State Legislature (Executive Committee of the Legislative Council) will discuss whether to cut or eliminate the legislature’s Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC). Currently, COYAC is allocated $50,000 per fiscal year.

Update: on Feb 21, the Executive Committee voted to recommend COYAC funding is cut to $5,000. This recommendation will go to the Joint Budget Committee. 

$5,000 does not allow COYAC to continue work after this summer's interim committee, nor bring on a new cohort of students. We still have opportunities to advocate for funding, and getting as many voices involved as possible is important! Please continue to support by signing, sharing, and contacting legislators. 

Eliminating or cutting COYAC would have immense consequences for youth voices in politics. The impact this program has not only on policy, but on the development of a new generation of leaders, is best said by participants and alums themselves: 

"I have been asked time and time again what I would do if I could change the course of history in my  community. Not every individual my age can say that they were able to do so, yet I am proud to say that COYAC has provided me with the tools to do just that."

Mia Portillo, first-year college student; former COYAC Senate District 33

“Serving as a part of COYAC has been and will continue to be one of the most influential and significant experiences of my life. COYAC has taken an integral role in allowing the voices of youth around the state to be heard while encouraging us to take an active role in our communities." 

Pragna Yalavarthy (she/her), Senate District 19

"It taught me more about the inner workings of our government more than any class; it gave me the chance to see how lawmakers put policies into action more than any newspaper or commercial advertisement; and most of all, it taught me the importance of political advocacy of underrepresented individuals in our government. The youth are the leaders of tomorrow, and as often as leaders of municipalities like to brush them off, cultivating their leadership is of the utmost importance."

Walker Bargmann, former COYAC Senate District 25

All of these impacts and more are made possible by COYAC's continued funding. By signing this petition, you use your voice to help youth voice. 

Want to provide additional support after signing? Email Colorado legislators and ask for their support in funding COYAC!