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Get Involved as a Community Member

The Health Department helps facilitate a number of community groups where community members share their life experiences and perspectives, and impact health policy. There are many ways for community members to get involved in these groups. 

Opportunities for Youth and Adults

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Opportunities for Youth

Visit our Larimer Youth Website

Check out Larimer Youth on YouTube.

Youth Action for Health (YAH):  Youth Action for Health is a youth-led coalition working on health issues that matter most to the youth in the  Fort Collins area. Their projects have focused on improving youth access to mental health resources and promoting safe spaces in the community for young people to seek opportunities, build skills, and connect with peers and community.

Youth in Action (YIA): Youth in Action is a student group that works closely with the Estes Park Nonprofit Resource Center and Give Next. Through the organization, students are provided with the opportunity to be a part of local nonprofits and learn how they work to provide assistance to the Estes Park Valley community. Students also get to develop volunteer and fundraising activities where they can work with other groups to give back to their community.

Thompson Teens United (TTU): Thompson Teens United is a group of youth from Loveland and Berthoud that is dedicated to promoting positive alternatives to substance misuse and spreading mental health awareness and resources

Voces Jovenes y Fuertes (VJF): Voces jovenes y fuertes is a group of Latinx youth that work closely with the built environment team to increase their knowledge of health and the built environment, to be more physically active, and to improve their overall wellbeing. Teen Activity Center Youth Advisory Council (TAC 212):  TAC 212 is an innovative teen center in Fort Collins which is created by youth, for youth. This advisory council provides direct input into the design, programs, and services TAC 212 provides to youth 13-18 years old.

Printable Youth Resource Guide

Guía de recursos para la juventud (Printable Youth Resource Guide Spanish)

The following resources are available to youth throughout Larimer County for the following topics: 

  • Mental Health
  • Sexual Assault
  • Domestic Violence
  • Peer Support

Mental Health Resources:

Mental Health Crisis (In-Person)

Summitstone Urgent Care and Mobile Response

Behavioral Health Urgent Care is available 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, or call for Mobile Response any time, anywhere in Larimer County. Crisis teams will provide triage, consultation, crisis intervention, behavioral health assessment,  and referral to appropriate levels of care. Caregiver and guardian involvement will be discussed as appropriate to youth seeking assistance.

  • Urgent Care and Crisis Stabilization 1217 Riverside Ave, Fort Collins, CO
  • Summitstonehealth.org
  • Text "TALK" to 38255
  • 24/7 hotline (970)494-4200 Ext 4 (English/Español)

Mountain Crest Behavioral Health

UCHealth Mountain Crest Behavioral Health Center helps adults and adolescents with mental health issues and substance abuse issues achieve a balanced life and a high level of health and well-being. Mountain Crest offers both ongoing care and crisis treatment.

  • 601 Corbett Drive, Fort Collins, CO
  • Phone line: (970)207-4800 or (844)945-2500 (Español)
  • Services 24/7

Mental Health Crisis (Text/Call)

Colorado Crisis Services

Colorado Crisis Services provides free, confidential and immediate support. The crisis clinicians and peer specialists are available 24/7/365 via phone or text. 

  • 1-844-493-8255
  • Text "TALK" to 38255
  • Services 24/7

The Trevor Project

The Trevor Project is a national suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQIA+ young people. They can help if you or a friend is struggling.

  • 1-866-488-7386
  • Text "START" to 678-678
  • Services 24/7

Crisis Text Line

Connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 support via text message for any crisis. They will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment.

  • Text "HOME" to 741-741
  • Services 24/7

Non-Crisis Mental Health

Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Connections (CAYAC)

CAYAC offers mental health resources, information, and education based on your unique needs and goals. Call CAYAC to speak with a mental health specialist who will listen to your concerns, discuss options available to you locally, and help you get connected to resources. CAYAC staff are LGBTQ-affirming and offer bilingual support and translation services at no cost.

  • (970)221-3308
  • Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm

I Matter Colorado

I Matter offers 6 free behavioral health sessions with a licensed and youth-friendly clinician to any Colorado youth.

Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Resources: 

Sexual Assault Victim Advocacy Center (SAVA)
SAVA is dedicated to providing services to anyone affected by sexual violence in Larimer and Weld County. Whether the assault happened to you or a loved one, SAVA can provide advocacy and support regardless of when the assault happened.

Crossroads Safehouse

Staff are available to assist those in Northern Colorado who are suffering from domestic violence and interpersonal abuse based on individual needs and the emergent situation. This includes those who have experienced abuse both recently or in the past.

Alternatives to Violence (ATV)

ATV provides emergency shelter, crisis advocacy, and resources for people impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking in Loveland and Southern Larimer County.  

  • Call: (970) 669-5150
  • Text: (970) 669-5157
  • Services 24/7

Additional Resources:

Yarrow Collective and Alliance for Suicide Prevention

Confidential, free, drop-in support groups for teens who struggle with mental health and teens who have lost loved ones to suicide. Led by those who have "been there".  

National Runaway Safeline

A confidential hotline and online services (live chat, emails and forum) for runaway or homeless youth and their families. Staff and trained volunteers provide non-judgmental and non-directive support and resource navigation.

Safe 2 Tell

Allows anonymous reporting of anything that concerns or threatens you, your
friends , your family, or your community.

Estes Valley Crisis Advocates (EVCA)

EVCA provides advocacy services to survivors of crime and trauma including
safe housing  and counseling services in Estes Park.

  • Help Line: (970) 577-9781
  • Text: 1-513-970-EVCA (3822)
  • Services 24/7

 

 

Opportunities for Adults

Healthy Larimer Committee (HLC): The Healthy Larimer Committee is a community-led group dedicated to empowering individuals across Larimer County to become an integral part of their environment. They are committed to cultivating social connectedness and inclusivity, with a particular focus on supporting populations who experience exclusion and marginalization. By collaboratively addressing issues related to social belonging and access to health-related resources and services, Healthy Larimer strives to create a more equitable and supportive community. Members are driven by a shared passion for addressing the diverse needs of all individuals in Larimer County, while also amplifying the voices of their respective communities based on their unique identities. Our vision for the Healthy Larimer Committee is to cultivate an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to shape their environment.

Para más información sobre Las Charlas con el Departamento de Salud,  vaya a este enlace.

Larimer County Boards and Commissions: 

For information about local biking and walking safety hazards, view the North Front Range Metropolitan Planning Organization Bike and Pedestrian Safety Report Tool. 

  • This tool allows users to report and view local biking and walking safety hazards, obstacles, or accessibility issues. 

The Office of Public Health Planning and Partnerships collaborates with many community-based organizations to support their ongoing work. Below are several resources from our external community partners: 

Strategic Planning, Health Equity, and Partnerships

Email: healthpartnerships@co.larimer.co.us