Images from 2025 West Slope Youth Voice lobby day in Denver
High school students showed courage and conviction speaking to lawmakers in Denver and proved that young people are the heart of grassroots democracy.
This story was adapted from Western Colorado Alliance’s newsletters and video.
On March 10, 2025, 14 students, representing three counties and six schools traveled to the Colorado capitol to meet with over a dozen state senators and representatives as well as Lt. Governor Dianne Primavera. The trip was part of Western Colorado Alliance’s annual West Slope Youth Voice (WSYV) lobby trip. Their goal? To ensure that legislators hear directly from the youth who will be impacted by their policies.
WSYV is a student-led, student-run organization that offers several programs to engage young people in American democracy through leadership development and advocating for student issues with elected leaders. “It’s really important that we get involved at a grassroots level,” said former WSYV student intern Annika Johnson. “It provides a platform for younger people and a more small-scale approach to politics and activism, which can be a little intimidating and hard to get involved in, especially as a young adult.”
This year, the students came to speak to their elected officials about a range of issues including safety programs in schools; protecting libraries and educational materials; access to free, healthy meals for all students; and requiring administration and school police to use de-escalation techniques when working with students.
These trips, which began in 2016, are opportunities for students to gain greater understanding of the legislative processes and valuable skills researching legislation, thinking critically about policy, and speaking to lawmakers.
No short-cuts: preparing to meet decision-makers
For months before the actual lobby trip, students in the WSYV program work hard preparing for their trip to Denver. They meet bi-weekly starting in early January to discuss bills introduced in the state legislature that could impact young people across Colorado. Each meeting is a deep dive into policy, strategy, and personal storytelling. The students begin by reviewing the bills, breaking down key components, and debating the potential pros and concerns. They don’t approach the legislation with a predetermined position. Instead, they rely on research, discussion, and direct input from their larger peer group. This includes the results of hundreds of surveys collected throughout the school year that represent fellow students’ perspectives on a broad range of issues including education, mental health, community connectedness, and more.
One of the biggest lessons the students learn is navigating differences in opinion. Not every student agrees on every bill, but through discussion and debate, they work toward a group consensus that reflects the diverse views of their schools and communities. They understand that policymaking is not black and white—sometimes, a bill that seems beneficial on the surface might have unintended consequences for young people. Their lived experiences within the systems these bills aim to address give them a unique and often overlooked perspective in legislative discussions.
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After determining their positions, WSYV students identify key legislators who could be persuaded based on committee assignments, past votes, or their influence on a bill’s movement through the process. They strategize who among them should take the lead on different bills, aligning students with issues that connect with their personal experiences and passions.
“I’m really passionate about youth mental health, and in the Grand Valley area, we’ve had a lot of experiences with youth suicide and youth mental health issues,” Johnson said, recalling her lobbying trip in 2019, where she advocated for a bill that later passed. “Because I was able to go on this lobbying trip and lobby for the suicide prevention bill, I was able to connect that back to my personal life and personal experiences back home.”
Finally, students craft their personal stories. While the students aren’t the experts on data and policy analysis, they understand that legislators are often most moved by real-life stories from the people their decisions impact. Whether it’s a student who has experienced food insecurity advocating for school meal access, or someone who has witnessed the challenges of the juvenile justice system pushing for reforms, WSYV students learn their voices are necessary when laws are being made.
Connecting to issues and lawmakers through personal experiences
When the day finally came to meet with lawmakers, the students were ready. Legislators appeared visibly moved by the stories that the students shared, and committed to considering their perspectives while discussing and voting on some of their topics.
Students were also able to learn from legislators about the complexities that some of these bills can bring. The students had the opportunity to thank bill sponsors who had worked hard to bring these issues forward.
“One thing that I think this generation of young people is really incredible at is standing up for what we believe in.”
– Annika Johnson
But the day had its awkward moments. Some legislators were taken aback to realize the depth of knowledge of the students regarding their bills. A few remained condescending. The West Slope Youth Voice students were composed, respectful, and knowledgeable at all times — even when Senator Janice Rich suggested that ballots need not be more accessible for voters, and that people should “learn how to speak English if they want a vote.”
Even in the face of older authority figures speaking down to them, the students showed no signs of backing down. “One thing that I think this generation of young people is really incredible at is standing up for what we believe in,” Johnson said.
“It was truly inspirational to spend my last few days among these young leaders,” said Jeriel Clark, Western Colorado Alliance’s former political director. “I couldn’t be more proud of the West Slope Youth Voice program and each cohort of students throughout the years [WCA] has worked to build.”
After a long day of professionally navigating Colorado’s halls of power, the youth lobbyists eased back into being high school students. Laughter could be heard late into the night at the Airbnb as students from different schools mingled and developed lasting relationships. After the trip, they debriefed the trip and reflected on the power they felt, the courage they gained, and the inspiration they now possess to encourage more students to get involved and make a difference for their communities.
Learn more
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Western Native Voice’s Lobby Days Brings Indigenous Grassroots Advocacy to the Montana Legislature
Annika Johnson: The Future of Organizing is the Youth
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