Engage Jeffco Podcast

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:
Facebook: /ColoradoGivesFoundationOrg
Instagram: @coloradogivesfoundation
YouTube: @coloradogivesfoundation
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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.
Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter
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Follow us:
Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

As children, many of us were taught, "Don't 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:
Facebook: /ColoradoGivesFoundationOrg
Instagram: @coloradogivesfoundation
YouTube: @coloradogivesfoundation
•••
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
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.
Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter
•••
Follow us:
Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

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

Register for the 2026 Youth Town Hall or learn more about the event.
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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
•••
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:
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.
•••
Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at https://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter
•••
Follow us:
 • Facebook: /JeffcoColorado• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
• X: @JeffcoColorado
• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

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.
•••
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:
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.
•••
Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at https://www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter
•••
Follow us:
 • Facebook: /JeffcoColorado• Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
• X: @JeffcoColorado
• Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
• YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

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:
Facebook
Instagram
•••
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
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.
Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter
•••
Follow us:
Facebook: /JeffcoColorado
Instagram: @jeffcocolorado
X: @JeffcoColorado
Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social
YouTube: @JeffcoColorado