Public Health in the Rockies 2026

How local government engages with young people is crucial in shaping the future development of a community. Adult-centrism refers to the bias that our society places on the views of adults in comparison to that of young people. Beyond the physicality of educational spaces, youth are often viewed as only passive recipients of services within these spaces, rather than as active participants who can provide valuable contributions. As a result, this leaves few to no opportunities for youth to represent their own interests, while also distinguishing adult concerns from youth, creating a hierarchy between the two rather than a collective concern.

The Nicotine Awareness and Tobacco Prevention team at the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment centers youth as partners by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to raise awareness about the harms of nicotine and tobacco use. Through youth programming and broader community feedback, as well as a recognized gap in accessible educational platforms for community partners, staff developed an adaptable curriculum called Breathe Easy, a pilot initiative grounded in continuous improvement and community feedback. The curriculum includes interactive, age-specific modules for elementary, middle, and high school students, covering nicotine products, health and environmental impacts, industry marketing tactics, refusal skills, and cessation resources. It is designed as both a train-the-trainer model and a self-guided resource, allowing educators, community members, and youth to facilitate learning within their own communities. Youth Engagement Specialists (YESs), embedded as paid staff, lead youth coalitions and play a central role in co-developing, refining, and delivering the curriculum. In practice, youth coalition members have implemented Breathe Easy in their local communities, demonstrating increased civic leadership and advocacy for healthier environments. By integrating youth voice into program design and delivery, local public health efforts can foster more responsive, sustainable, and community-driven approaches to prevention.