Young Denver residents ask council for formal channels to include youth in decision-making

A youth member of the advocacy group Movimento Poder urged Denver City Council on Aug. 4 to create formal channels for youth participation in policy decisions.

Lydia Lopez, introduced from the public comment list as a youth member of Movimento Poder, said, "It's time to stop guessing what we need and instead sit at a table with youth leaders and listen to our voices and build real solutions together." Lopez said young people should not only be heard but included in decision-making that affects their lives.

Lopez thanked the council for existing efforts to include youth — the council maintains a pilot program that gives speaking preference to people 18 and under during the first Monday general public comment session — but she said that is insufficient without regular, institutionalized engagement. Her remarks were advisory; she requested that the council create direct channels for youth participation and follow-up mechanisms.

The council did not act on Lopez's request during the public comment period; staff and council members may follow up with speakers whose comments lend themselves to administrative response.