Our Solutions
Colorado’s kids don’t need quick fixes. They need real, lasting change we can build together.
Read our proposed foundation for lasting change:
The Mind Our Future Colorado Policy Playbook brings together a decade of task force recommendations, evidence-based approaches from other states and up-to-date input from youth, community leaders and grassroots advocates across Colorado.
Core Recommendations
Appoint a Chief Children’s Mental Health Officer with cross-agency authority
Produce a Children’s Report Card that measures child and youth well-being
Create a Thriving Youth Trust Fund that guarantees upstream investment
Champion digital platform fees to hold social media companies accountable for funding solutions
Develop a community step-down bridge to transition high-acuity youth from hospitals to short-term community care settings while lasting solutions are secured
What the Candidates are Saying
We asked the gubernatorial candidates how they plan to prioritize Colorado youth mental health in 2026 and beyond. See what the candidates said:
The questionnaire was shared with all candidates running for governor. We have posted those we’ve received responses from and will update on a rolling basis.
What We Heard from the Community
As part of our community conversations, participants were asked to describe their message to gubernatorial candidates in just a few words. Together, these responses paint a powerful picture of what matters most to Coloradans.
Fort Collins
Invest in prevention
Youth voice
Practice what’s preached
Prevention, prevention, prevention!
Prevention decreases intervention
Intervention is connection
Invest in a generation
Have real community input
Outcomes vs. outputs
Sterling
Total system failure
Prevention and early intervention
Write the check!
Prevention costs less
Increase school funding
Prioritize kids…A LOT
Invest in local
Colorado Springs
Right people convening
Have a spine
Listen to youth
Change needs action
Cultivate safe adults
Model healthy living
Health is fundamental
Mental health is health
Demonstrate kids matter
Invest in parks
Pueblo
Lead with empathy
It’s an emergency
See our families
Hold on
Systems, families, schools
Get it together
Critical
Increase our support
Firm, fair and consistent
Alamosa
Lead with empathy
It’s an emergency
See our families
Hold on
Systems, families, schools
Get it together
Critical
Increase our support
Firm, fair and consistent
Durango
Support schools
Prioritize youth well-being
They need help now
Educate caregivers
Focus on primary prevention
Cultivate trusted adults
Prevention and intervention
Healthy kids, healthy community
Fund collaborative initiatives
There’s so much
It’s about families
Grand Junction
Don’t forget schools
Review every suicide
Invest in parents
Teach mindfulness skills
Fund upstream
People come first
Don’t forget rural Colorado
Reengage our parents
Normalize getting help
Fund the basics
Family
Child first initiatives
Every kid matters
True bicultural services
Don’t cut funding for kids
The kids matter
GET INVOLVED
How You Can Get Involved
Sign on as a coalition partner: Join the movement demanding action from Colorado’s leaders.
Connect with us: Stay informed about upcoming events and receive updates on toolkits, resources and materials to help amplify the message and advocate for meaningful action this election.