Last weekend, more than 70 high school students from across Colorado came together in Carbondale for a powerful two-day experience: the inaugural Colorado Youth Climate Summit. Organized by Wild Rose Education in partnership with Lyra, this event marked a significant milestone in our collective effort to support youth-led climate action and elevate student voice in shaping a more climate-resilient future.

The Summit was designed as more than a conference, but as a launchpad for youth climate action. From the opening session, where student leaders challenged their peers to consider the roots of power and leadership, to the final presentations of draft Climate Action Plans, young people were not just invited to the table—they were driving the conversation.

“People don’t inherently have power. You give them power,” shared Tilly Testa, a student organizer, during a session that set the tone for the weekend: one grounded in agency, collaboration, and purpose.

Students worked alongside educators, experts, and public officials to explore local climate impacts, share stories of personal climate motivation, and begin building actionable plans to take home to their communities. These plans, many of which align with the requirements of the Seal of Climate Literacy, reflect the growing demand from students to have opportunities to learn about and impact the effects of climate change on their communities and beyond.

As a proud partner in the summit and a leader in the Seal’s development, Lyra was especially energized to see students engaging with this work firsthand—connecting what they learn in the classroom to what their communities need in the real world.

A Catalyst for Climate Action

Throughout the event, students shared their lived experiences with climate change and environmental injustice. From the impacts of wildfires to statewide climate literacy standards, their stories highlighted not only the urgency of the climate crisis but the resilience and creativity of a generation determined to respond.

“I feel like people will actually hear us now,” said Rhyianna Banks, a senior whose community was devastated by hurricanes before she moved to Colorado. “We are learning how to be heard.”

The Summit offered more than inspiration—it provided tools. Students learned how to assess local climate vulnerabilities, build coalitions, and speak confidently with decision-makers. They were encouraged to see themselves as both change agents and collaborators—able to build a better future not alone, but together.

CYCS in the News

Read more about the Colorado Youth Climate Summit in these great features: 

• Glenwood Springs Post Independent: Roots of change: Teens lead the way at inaugural Colorado Youth Climate Summit in Carbondale | PostIndependent.com
• Glenwood Springs Post Independent: ‘You give them power’: Students embark on a climate action how-to at inaugural Colorado Youth Climate Summit | PostIndependent.com
• Sopris Sun: First-ever Colorado Youth Climate Summit hosted in Carbondale
• KDUNK: Everything Under the Sun | Sarah Johnson of Wild Rose Education

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Building from this Success

The Youth Climate Summit is just the beginning. Lyra is working alongside partners across Colorado to expand access to high-quality climate education and create pathways for students to connect their learning to career opportunities in sustainability, clean energy, conservation, and more.

We believe that when students are supported with the right tools, connections, and recognition—like the Seal of Climate Literacy—they can transform their communities. Events like this are how we plant those seeds.

We are especially grateful to the students, educators, community partners, and elected officials who made this event possible—and to those who will carry its momentum forward. So many partners, individuals and volunteers were part of making this event a success: 

• Third Street Center
• The Wild Center
• Earth Force
• Sunrise Movement BVSD
• Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
• Environmental Defense Fund
• Carbondale Bike Project
• Colorado Department of Local Affairs
• CLEER (Clean Energy Economy for the Region)
• Colorado Energy Office
• Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
• Climate Democracy Initiative
• Colorado Climate Center
• Colorado Sierra Club
• Conservation Colorado
• Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences / CEEE
• Protect our Winters
• Walking Mountains
• We Share Solar
• Aspen Center for Environmental Studies
• Aspen Science Center
• SOL Energy
• National Audubon Society
• Youth Roots
• Eco Products
• The Center for Human Flourishing
• The Project Shop

And many more...

Third Street Center‍The Wild Center‍Earth Force‍Sunrise Movement BVSDNorthwest Colorado Council of Governments‍Environmental Defense Fund‍Colorado Department of Local Affairs‍Colorado Energy Office‍Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment‍Climate Democracy Initiative‍Colorado Climate Center‍Conservation Colorado‍CLEER: Clean Energy Economy for the Region‍Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences / CEEEProtect Our Winters‍Colorado Sierra Club‍Walking MountainsWe Share SolarAspen Center For Environmental StudiesAspen Science CenterSOL ENERGY, LLC‍National Audubon Society‍YouthRoots‍Eco-Products‍The Project ShopCarbondale Bike ProjectThe Center for Human Flourishing

About the Colorado Youth Climate Summit

The Colorado Youth Climate Summit (CYCS) is an educational initiative co-designed and co-led by youth leaders to empower young people to address the impacts of climate change. By engaging with sustainability experts, policymakers, and their peers, participants enhance their skills and resilience. The Youth Climate Summit is expected to draw 50-100 youth from across the state. The program fosters critical thinking and leadership through problem-based learning, enabling teens to develop their own climate action plans. CYCS provides access to cutting-edge research and innovation science, connects with industry professionals, and showcases green career opportunities, preparing youth to become climate advocates and leaders.

Learn more about the Colorado Youth Climate Summit at coyouthclimatesummit.org, and explore how Lyra is advancing student-led climate action and workforce pathways across the state at lyracolorado.org.