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
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.
- To learn more and see a schedule of upcoming meetings visit the YAH website
- Check out Youth Action for Health on Instagram
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.
- Check out Youth in Action on Instagram.
- Contact Zach Ducharme to learn more.
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
- Check out Thompson Teens United on Instagram.
- Contact Zach Ducharme to learn more.
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.
- Contact Zach Ducharme to learn more.
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.
- Contact Zach Ducharme to learn more.
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.
- Hotline: (970) 472-4200
- SAVAcenter.org
- Services 24/7
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.
- Help Line: (970) 482-3502
- crossroadssafehouse.org
- Services 24/7
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".
- SuicidePrevent.org
- Instagram: @yarrowcollectivecolorado
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.
- 1800runaway.org
- 1-800-Run-Away (786-2929
- Services 24/7
Safe 2 Tell
Allows anonymous reporting of anything that concerns or threatens you, your
friends , your family, or your community.
- safe2tell.org
- 1-877-542-7233
- Services 24/7
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 group of folks with diverse lived experience, developed out of the 2018 Community Health Improvement Plan who guide and advise on the actionable priorities within the Office of Public Health Planning and Partnerships
- To apply, visit http://bit.ly/healthylarimerteam
- For more information contact kchambers@larimer.org
Para más información sobre Las Charlas con el Departamento de Salud, vaya a este enlace.
Larimer County Boards and Commissions:
- Visit the following webpage for more information about opportunities with 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:
- Larimer County Department of Human Services: Supported Families Stronger Communities (SFSC)
- CO-SLAW NoCo Harm Reduction Alliance
- Imagine Zero: Imagine Zero Suicide Webpage
- Early Childhood Council of Larimer County