In October 2025, the North Regional team conducted an in-region engagement across Boulder, Larimer, and Weld Counties. These engagements are designed to immerse regional councils in the community, helping provide a better idea of the area’s landscape and elements. Going into the trip, our team hoped that visiting the cities of Boulder, Fort Collins, and Greeley and talking to local nonprofits would help us better understand each community’s needs. To that end, we participated in four site visits at the following organizations: Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA), Community Foundation of Boulder County, The Family Center/La Familia, and Aims Community College.
We began our visits with EFAA and the Community Foundation of Boulder County, two organizations that aid in food distribution, housing assistance, and financial need across the region. Typically, when people picture Boulder, they might imagine an affluent community defined by CU Boulder and Pearl Street Mall. According to Kids Count! data, what often goes unnoticed, however, is that the average household income for a family of four is $97,170, about $25,000 less than the county’s minimum income of $121,800 needed to cover basic living expenses. As a result, many individuals who work in Boulder cannot afford to live there. Thus, affordable food and housing have become critical needs, making organizations like EFAA and Community Foundation of Boulder County vital. Witnessing their operations in-person was both eye-opening and inspiring.
Next, we visited La Familia, an organization that serves families in Northern Colorado. The organization is committed to providing high quality childcare and supportive services to the Latinx community. In Larimer County, 13.4 percent of residents identify as Hispanic, and in Weld County, the number rises to 32 percent. Annual childcare costs in these areas can amount to upwards of $17,000, creating significant financial strain for working parents. La Familia helps reduce this burden by offering accessible and culturally competent services. Visiting their site and seeing their programs was incredible, as it showed us how beneficial culturally competent services can be in rural regions.
Lastly, we visited Aims Community College, one of the most affordable colleges in Colorado. Aims has an incredible campus that serves more than 1,500 students with various associate degrees, trade programs, and direct admission to state universities. Aims offers numerous learning opportunities designed to support students at all stages of their academic and career journeys.
Overall, our site visits offered a powerful understanding of the challenges and strengths that define Northern Colorado. We witnessed firsthand how community-driven organizations are confronting issues such as affordability, cultural inclusion, and educational access with creativity, compassion, and collaboration. These experiences deepened my appreciation for the regional landscape and will meaningfully inform the council’s ongoing work. The trip reaffirmed the importance of meeting communities where they are, listening to local voices, and supporting organizations that are already making a profound impact every day.
