Igniting the Future: Celebrating Colorado's Trailblazing Youth Climate Summit

Sarah Johnson
May 22
7 min read

Updated: 13 minutes ago

Tilly Testa and Rylan Neumann, co-presidents of Fairview High School’s Sunrise Club

A few weeks ago, Colorado bore witness to a truly pivotal moment for youth climate action: the inaugural Colorado Youth Climate Summit held on May 2-3, 2025, at the Third Street Center in Carbondale. This powerful two-day event convened over 70 passionate high school youth from across the state. Organized and facilitated by Wild Rose Education and powered by Lyra, the Summit was meticulously designed as a launchpad for youth climate action, marking a significant stride in empowering youth voices and fostering a more climate-resilient future.

The mission of the CYCS is clear: to create engaging opportunities for rural Colorado youth to become empowered as climate action leaders and advocates statewide. Core values emphasize place-based learning, connecting climate change to students' local lives; action-oriented engagement, providing tools for investigation; solutions-focused approaches, prioritizing accessible and effective local strategies; and a profound youth-driven philosophy, ensuring youth co-design and co-lead the program. Sarah Johnson, founder of Wild Rose Education, articulated the collective aspiration: "The hope is that this is the first launch of a Colorado Youth Climate Summit program, and that there will be a Youth Climate Summit annually for years to come”.

From the outset, it was clear that young people were driving the conversation. Youth presenter Tilly Testa, co-president of Fairview High School’s Sunrise Club, set a powerful tone with a "Simon Says" game, illustrating a core truth: “People don’t inherently have power. You give them power”. This insightful lesson, co-presented with Rylan Neumann, empowered youth to see themselves as agents of change. Zenobia Todd, a Glenwood Springs High School junior, felt it inspired her to realize she "could do that too”.

Throughout the Summit, youth engaged in hands-on, problem-based learning. They collaborated with climate activists, climate experts, and public officials to explore local climate impacts and share personal motivations. Key sessions included a keynote from the Colorado State Climatologist, Russ Schumacher who was praised for establishing a shared understanding of climate change impacts in Colorado, and outstanding environmental justice sessions by Conservation Colorado and the Environmental Defense Fund. Beyond scientific understanding, youth also gained insights into practical climate solutions. The Summit thoughtfully integrated art, poetry, and music, providing an important outlet for expression.

Art Activation Facilitated by The Project Shop and Reina Katzenberger

A central, impactful component was the Climate Action Planning (CAP) process. Youth began developing actionable climate plans to implement in their own communities. These innovative plans, from school-wide composting and ridding lunchrooms of styrofoam, to public transport and school gardens, directly align with the requirements for the new Seal of Climate Literacy (SCL) graduation endorsement while addressing Colorado’s Climate Office goals. Many students attended specifically to fulfill the SCL’s experiential learning project requirement. Lyra, a proud partner and leader in the Seal’s development, was energized to witness youth connecting classroom learning with real-world community needs.

The Summit was a laboratory to pilot an updated version of the Youth Climate Summit Network's CAP framework. Earth Force, The Wild Center, and Wild Rose Education came together months before the Summit to draft a new CAP. The learnings will be integrated into an updated participant workbook, sample slide deck, and facilitator guide for youth climate summits nationally and internationally.

The Summit served as a vital platform for youth to share their lived experiences with climate change and environmental injustice. Rhyianna Banks, a senior who moved to Colorado after her community was devastated by hurricanes, powerfully articulated her motivation: “I feel like people will actually hear us now. We are learning how to be heard”. Elected officials and policy makers from across the state joined the youth during the second day's lunch to hear their concerns and be in conversation about their climate action plans. This highlighted not only the urgency of the crisis but also the incredible resilience and creativity of a generation determined to respond.

Post-Summit surveys revealed a significant boost in confidence: 85% of participants felt "more confident" and 78% "more equipped" to engage with local government or community, effectively bridging the gap between concern and action.

Beyond inspiration, the Summit provided tangible tools, enhancing students' skills and resilience. Participants learned practical skills such as assessing local climate vulnerabilities, building effective coalitions, and confidently engaging with decision-makers. A unique "Grief to Growth" workshop, led by Sierra Club Colorado leaders, helped channel climate anxiety into action through a hands-on activity of planting wildflower seeds, creating pollinator habitats. The event also connected youth with industry professionals and showcased green career opportunities, preparing them to become vital climate advocates and leaders.

The Summit achieved strong attendance, with 70 youth representing diverse schools and districts from the Fort Collins to Yampa, Montrose, Ignacio, Gypsum, and in-between; a unique aspect for a Colorado youth climate gathering. While 109 students initially applied, a 28% attrition rate occurred due to end-of-school conflicts like graduation events and AP exams. This feedback suggests future summits might consider a fall Summit in November.

The Third Street Center venue and its outdoor park space were lauded, as both an exceptional example of local sustainability and climate action and an intimate beautiful place for gathering. Sustainability was evident in the catering with plant-rich meals, commitment to minimizing food waste, minimizing single use packaging, and using all compostable products. More than 25 local volunteers generously facilitated the logistics of hosting the Summit seamlessly.

This inaugural Youth Climate Summit is just the beginning. Wild Rose Education, alongside its many partners across Colorado, is dedicated to expanding access to high-quality climate education and forging clear pathways for youth into promising careers in sustainability, clean energy, and conservation. Youth expressed strong interest in follow-up networks, ongoing mentorship, and project funding. Colorado now knows what a youth climate summit can be and everyone left wanting more. As Sarah Johnson aptly summarized, what the world truly needs is "space to create authentic relationships and meaningful connections," a goal the Summit accomplished in a "really big way".

We extend our deepest gratitude to the dedicated youth, educators, advisors/chaperones, community partners, and elected officials who made this groundbreaking event possible. The widespread support from over 20 regional, state, and national organizations including Third Street Center, The Wild Center, Earth Force, Conservation Colorado, Colorado Climate Center, Colorado Energy Office, and so many others (listed below) was instrumental to its success. This event stands as a powerful testament to the potential of youth to lead and inspire vital change. To learn more about this incredible initiative, visit www.coyouthclimatesummit.org.

Towns and Cities Represented by Youth Participants

Ignacio
Gunnison
Silverton
Montrose
Ridgway
Telluride
Avon
Gypsum

Vail
Glenwood Springs
New Castle
Parachute
Carbondale
Aspen
Yampa

Fountain
Leadville
Lakewood
Highlands Ranch
Littleton
Denver
Boulder
Longmont

Colorado Policy Makers Who Came to be in Conversation with Youth

John Clark, Mayor, Ridgway
Kathy Plomer, Colorado State Board of Education
Sean Rocha, Constituent Advocate, Office of Representative Jason Crow
Matt Scher, Commissioner, Eagle County
Jeffrey Woodruff, Commissioner, Pitkin County

Climate Action Plan Projects

We want to implement the Seal of Climate Literacy to inspire future students to work for climate solutions and be educated which will result in more environmental changemakers.
Implement climate curriculum in our school district and expand the seal I order to increase climate literacy in schools
Teachers, students, and local institutions to support our idea of convincing our superintendent to implement the Seal of Climate Literacy.
We want the Seal of Climate Literacy to be implemented at Vail Mountain School before the end of the 2025/2026 school year, which will result in greater climate education and action within our local community.
We want to save and retrofit one of our recently closed schools and turn it into a community hub like the Third Street Center.
We want to educate elementary and intermediate school students about climate to create a more positive school culture around our environment which will result in a more environmentally conscious generation in our school.
Complete my Girl Scout Gold Award by creating school-wide composting program.
We want FFROGS to help raise awareness for clothing waste coming from stores/individuals to upcycle, clothing, waste, and change shopping behaviors within the community
We want a bus lane from Glenwood to Carbondale to increase the efficiency of public transportation which will result in fewer personal vehicles on the road.
We want to create an environmental advocacy group to inspire positive climate based initiatives in our community which will result in reduced teen pregnancy, compost initiatives, and public transit.
We have the desire to make a transformation in our school in which plastic and styrofoam utensils will be replaced with eco-friendly utensils.
We want a community garden and renewed pond to gather the school and promote a safer, welcoming environment which will result in an inclusive community through the cleaned habitat and encouragement to participate in the building of the garden.
We want to increase compost in schools and decrease single-use waste which will result in less trash and more people being informed about composting.