Growing connections
to nature

A young girl in a pink t-shirt smiles nervously as she and an adult park guide hold a fish she just caught.

WHAT WE DO

Bring nature to the neighborhood

We put on events in Cole and Westwood, as well as invest in and beautify local parks and green spaces.

Bring our neighborhoods to nature

Through partnerships and our Family Nature Clubs, we organize events, transportation, and gear, so community members can get to the mountains and beyond.

Give youth a voice

We connect youth with paid, outdoor leadership opportunities through the Youth Advisory in Action Council (YAAC) and other partner programs.

ACTIVITIES BY US, FOR US

Our neighbors tell us what they want to do, and we listen. While our exact programs and events can shift each year, we always find a way to get outside and get inspired in every season.

Archery

Biking

Camping

Canoeing

Kayaking

Environmental Education

Fishing

Hiking

Paid Work

Rafting

Rock Climbing

Skating

Skiing

Sledding

Snowboarding

Swim Lessons

Don’t see an activity you want to try? Reach out today — we’d love to hear your program ideas.

Family Nature Clubs

Too many of our neighbors don’t have the gear, transportation, training, or connections to confidently get outside. Our Family Nature Clubs work with coalition partners to provide education, training, and skill-building events, so that anyone who lives, works, plays, or prays in Cole or Westwood can explore nature.

Your Cole neighbors & Community Connectors

Kaartik has brown hair and a brown beard. He is in focus; behind him, a sea of orange trees is blurred.

Kaartik Gupta (he/they)

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Climbing & Hiking

kaartik@denveryouthprogram.org

Ms. Sandy's black hair is framed by a pink helmet. Behind her, there is snow.

Sandy Douglas (she/her)

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Walking at Russell Square Park

sandra@denveryouthprogram.org

Your Westwood neighbors & Community Connectors

Manny has a brown mustache and goatee — he's smiling and wears a yellow stocking cap.

Manuel "Manny" Ramirez (he/him/él)

Favorite Outdoor Activity: Fishing

manuel@denveryouthprogram.org

Five youths stand upon a homemade obstacle course in the forest, two hold a wooden beam, and another points, instructing them to build the next part of the walkway.

The words “Youth Advisory Council” are next to a flower made up of the tops of four tulips — one green, one orange, one yellow, one blue — centered around a yellow circle in the center.

To get more youth outside, we knew we needed to listen. So we created a program to give youth a voice and an opportunity to lead. Through YAAC, neighborhood teens are paid to share what events and activities they want to see. Then they help bring them to life — gaining professional skills all while exploring career opportunities in the outdoors.

A line-drawn, grid-like graphic features abstract sketches of trees, water, the Denver skyline, mountains, as well as more literal icons like a carabiner, flower, star, and leaf.

GEAR LIBRARY

Planning an adventure?

Rent the gear you need to start exploring. We have a robust library of outdoor equipment that’s free for our neighbors in Cole and Westwood to rent after attending a training. To get information on training opportunities, complete the interest form.

Growing connections to nature