Community Voices Shaping Denver’s Youth Housing Future
On May 12, community members, youth leaders, advocates, and researchers gathered at Street Fraternity in East Colfax for an important conversation about the future of youth housing in Denver. Hosted by the Denver Justice Project, Street Fraternity, and the University of Colorado Denver, the event brought together residents and stakeholders to review findings from a citywide Youth Housing Survey and help shape recommendations for future investments.
Researchers from the University of Colorado Denver received more than 180 survey responses from young people across Denver, providing valuable insight into the challenges, experiences, and needs facing youth who are navigating housing instability. The community gathering served as an opportunity to share those findings directly with the people most impacted and to ensure that the next steps are guided by lived experience.
A particularly significant contribution came from the East Colfax neighborhood, where 40 youth participants engaged in the research process, completed surveys, and helped shape the recommendations emerging from the study. Their voices, perspectives, and leadership were central to the conversation and reflected the power of community-driven solutions.
Participants worked collaboratively to complete the survery, provide feedback, and discuss priorities for addressing youth housing challenges. The recommendations developed through these discussions will help inform how the City and County of Denver allocates funding toward youth housing solutions and support services in the future.
The event demonstrated what meaningful community organizing looks like in practice. When residents, young people, community organizations, and researchers come together, they create opportunities for solutions that are informed, equitable, and responsive to local needs. This collaborative approach not only strengthens public policy but also helps build safer, healthier communities.
To recognize the value of community members’ time and expertise, participants received a $30 digital gift card, redeemable at retailers and services including King Soopers, Safeway, Amazon, Uber, and DoorDash.
The work does not end with a survey or a single community meeting. It continues through ongoing engagement, relationship building, and collective action. The youth who participated in this process have already helped shape a critical conversation about housing in Denver, and their contributions will continue to influence decisions that impact future generations.
This is what community-led change looks like: listening to those most affected, working together to develop solutions, and ensuring that community voices remain at the center of decision-making. Together, we are building stronger, safer communities and creating pathways toward housing stability for Denver’s young people.
