Engage Jeffco Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Talk to Strangers Campaign Aims to Build More Connected Jeffco Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

As children, many of us were taught, "Don't talk to strangers." But one Jefferson County organization is asking Jeffco residents to do just the opposite.

Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of the Colorado Gives Foundation, joins the podcast to talk about the group's new initiative to foster a more connected Jeffco community — Talk to Strangers. Colorado Gives is making the case that a small hello today can build a stronger, more connected Jeffco tomorrow.

Learn more about Talk to Strangers at JeffcoTalkToStrangers.org.

Head to the Colorado Gives Foundation site to find the Jeffco Connection Toolkit and to learn more about the organization.

Find Colorado Gives on social media:

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

The Engage Jeffco newsletter a great resource for citizens to stay updated on county news, important services, events, and much more. In addition, the Engage Jeffco newsletter is a tool to help get citizens more engaged in their communities.

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Follow us:

Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
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Annual Town Hall Lends Voice to Jefferson County Youth Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

How can young people in Jefferson County help shape decisions about the issues that affect them? At the 2026 Jeffco CTC Youth Town Hall, students will do more than answer questions. They will help shape the conversation and what comes next.

Youth Town Hall Planning Team members Leila Cameron and Evelynn Philips join Emily Tucker, coalition manager for Jefferson County Communities That Care, to explain how this annual, youth-led event turns firsthand experiences into data that can guide local priorities and action. They discuss how the Youth Town Hall and Healthy Kids Colorado Survey work together, what happens to the input participants provide, why Jeffco CTC compensates young people for their time and expertise and how both youth and adults can get involved.

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Attend the 2026 Youth Town Hall

The Youth Town Hall is open to young people ages 11-22 who live and/or attend school in Jefferson County.

When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 12:45-3 p.m.
Where: Lloyd G. Clements Community Center, 1580 Yarrow St., Lakewood
Topics: Mental health, substance use, LGBTQ+ support and more
Thank-you for participating: A $25 Amazon gift card, Qdoba, and snacks
Access: Translation is available by request

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Learn more and get involved

Explore Jeffco CTC research and data

Learn how to join Jeffco CTC

Email info@JeffcoCTC.care

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter:

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Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at https://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter

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• Facebook: /JeffcoColorado• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado

• X: @JeffcoColorado

• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social

• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Ready Today, Safe Tomorrow: A Guide to Preparedness Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

September is National Preparedness Month, and this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast equips residents with practical steps they can take today to become more prepared for emergencies.

Nate Whittington and Kate Cannon from the Jefferson County Office of Emergency Management share where to find trusted, real‑time information during a crisis and what the OEM does both before and during major incidents to keep the community safe. The conversation also highlights simple, age‑appropriate ways to involve children in preparedness without causing fear, including the introduction of a new preparedness mascot, Hazel the Hedgehog.

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter:

•••

Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at https://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter

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• Facebook: /JeffcoColorado• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado

• X: @JeffcoColorado

• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social

• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Bringing the Outdoors Closer to Home: Explore Jeffco with Westracks Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

Trying to go for a hike in the foothills or at Red Rocks this weekend but don’t want to fight for a parking spot? Westracks, Jefferson County’s new outdoor shuttle, is now up and running.

Aaron Roth, Director of Jefferson County Parks & Open Space, and Emily Guffin, Trails and Access Program Manager, join Johnny and Carly to talk about how the shuttle makes exploring Jeffco even easier.

Catch the free shuttle from the RTD W line or on your bike and explore seven stops throughout the foothills. Stops include: Red Rocks Trading Post, downtown Morrison by the Red Rocks Beer Garden, Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center, Matthew/Winters trail head and more.

It runs weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is dog-friendly and is completely free!

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Follow Westracks on social:

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

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Follow us:

Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Beyond the box: What happens after you drop off your ballot? Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Step inside the election process like never before. In this episode, we take you on an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes tour of how votes are received, verified, and counted.

Discover how everyday residents help keep our local elections running smoothly. You’ll meet the people who safeguard the system, get an inside look at the checks and balances that protect every ballot, and hear how transparency guides each step of the process.

From public tours to hands‑on election worker roles, you’ll see how community members take part in protecting the integrity of our elections.

Join us as we explore how the election process is stronger when everyone can witness it in action.

Whether you’re an election newcomer or a seasoned voter, this episode demystifies the machinery of democracy and shows what really happens once you cast your vote.

Elections Center Tour Sign-up – link!

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter:

•••

Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at https://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter

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• Facebook: /JeffcoColorado• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado

• X: @JeffcoColorado

• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social

• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

A Home for Healing: Inside Bluestem's Full-Family Approach to Substance Misuse Treatment Jun 06, 2026

Show notes

Savio, a Colorado non-profit mental health organization, operates with the goal of partnering "with families where life happens," and they are putting that mission to the test this summer.In July, Savio forges a new approach to substance misuse treatment with its Bluestem Program, which includes a six-unit complex in Lakewood where families can stay together as they "receive holistic, full-family care in a home that’s all theirs."In May, the Engage Jeffco Podcast had the chance to a get a first look at this one-of-a-kind program.

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

•••

Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

•••

Follow us:

Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Colorado’s Drought Outlook: What Jeffco Residents Should Know May 21, 2026

Show notes

As Colorado heads into the hottest season of the year, it enters summer with the worst snowpack since records began in 1941. By the end of April, much of Colorado was in at least severe drought.In this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, we chat with Bethany Howell, associate director for the Colorado Water Center, about what drought means for our communities and how Jefferson County residents can prepare right now hot, dry weather.•••

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

•••

Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

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Follow us:

Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Episode 17: From Tragedy to Healing – Inside the Evergreen Resiliency Center May 01, 2026

Show notes

What does healing look like after tragedy? There is no right answer. It can look different for everyone. The Evergreen Resiliency Center (ERC) is one place the community can lean on.

In this episode of Engage Jeffco, we speak with Ami McCarthy, director of the Evergreen Resiliency Center (ERC).

The ERC was established after the Evergreen High School shooting in September 2025 to provide support and resources for victims, survivors and first responders.

We recognize that this may be difficult to hear, especially for those directly affected. Please take care of yourself while listening. It’s OK to pause, skip this episode or come back to it when you’re ready.

McCarthy, with extensive experience in victim services and trauma, emphasizes the importance of play and human connection in the healing process.

The center offers various activities, including games, yoga and mental health referrals. Meaningful connection, accessible resources and a focus on long-term resilience can all be found in Evergreen’s recognizable Yellow House.

If you need help right away, call or text 988, the Colorado Mental Health Line.

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? ⁠Drop us a message with SpeakPipe⁠. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter:

•••

Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes athttps://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter

•••

• Facebook: /JeffcoColorado

• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado

• X: @JeffcoColorado

• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social

• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Episode 16: Fostering a More Sustainable Jefferson County Community Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Kevin Trautman and Jessica Hymer from the Jeffco Sustainability team join us in this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast to chat about Jefferson County's environmental initiatives.

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

•••Learn more about Jefferson County's Sustainability and Climate Action initiatives.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

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Follow us:

Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Episode 15: More Than Books – Inside the Jeffco Public Library Feb 26, 2026

Show notes

Marcy James and Sean Eads from Jefferson County Public Library join us in this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast to chat about the organization's community programming, which is much more than just books.

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Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail.

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Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter

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