Leadership development is a key part of high school—and for many students, it’s also a chance to explore interests and make a real difference. While school-based clubs are great, community-based youth committees offer something different: friendships with students from other schools, exposure to real-world issues, and a chance to work on problems that matter beyond campus.
Here’s my list of the top leadership opportunities (listed alphabetically) open to high school students in the Denver metro area, along with a brief description of each program and its application timeline.
Boys State / Girls State
Highly respected summer programs for rising seniors sponsored by the American Legion. Students spend a week on a college campus (Northeastern Junior College) immersed in civic leadership, government, and public service. Applications are due May 1st. https://colegionboysstate.org/ | https://alacolorado.org/girls-state/
Children’s Hospital (Denver Metro) Colorado Youth Advisory Council
Students collaborate with hospital leadership to improve patient experience and adolescent healthcare through advocacy and advisory work. Student members should be between 13 and 18 years old, either a current/former patient or a sibling of a patient, and they commit to monthly council meetings. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and students with volunteer experience at the hospital are prioritized. https://www.childrenscolorado.org/community/patient-advocacy/youth-advisory-council/
Colorado Young Leaders
A Denver-based nonprofit that empowers high school students to become impactful leaders through service, adventure, and community focused programs. CYL organizes opportunities for community service, and students can also get involved in bi-monthly changemaker meetings held on the 2nd and 4th weeks of each month, from September through May. https://coloradoyoungleaders.org/
Colorado Youth Advisory Council
This council advises state leaders on issues impacting young people across Colorado. Members collaborate with policymakers while developing civic engagement and leadership skills. COYAC consists of 40 youth members (one from each state senate district), ages 14-19, each serving a two-year term. Applications open in the spring for the following year and are typically due in early June. COYAC members have multiple Zoom meetings per month and attend a 2-day retreat in August, as well as two in-person events during the school year. https://coyac.org/
Colorado Youth Congress
A statewide, youth-led organization focused on educational equity and social justice. Students work on campaigns that impact Colorado communities while building organizing and public speaking skills. Weekly meetings happen Wednesday evenings during the school year, with in-person retreats at the beginning and end of the year. Applications typically open in Spring and are due by the end of May. https://coyouthcongress.org/
Colorado Student Leaders Institute
A competitive, state-legislated four-week summer residential program for students in grades 9-11. Participants earn college credit while exploring diverse topics through university lectures and three hands-on projects: Colorado Social Problem Lab, Short-Term Business Lab, and Daniels Ethics Case Competition. The application opens October 1st and is due in February. https://costudentleaders.org/
Denver Mayor’s Youth Commission
A city-level youth council that gives students a direct voice in local government. Members advise the Mayor and city leadership on issues affecting Denver youth while gaining hands-on civic leadership experience. Students must live in Denver or attend a DPS high school, and typically serve more than one term. Applications usually open in late spring for the following school year. https://denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Office-of-Childrens-Affairs/BoardsCommissions/MayorsYouthCommission
Make-A-Wish Colorado Youth Leadership Council
Students support Make-A-Wish Colorado through fundraising, event planning, and advocacy while building leadership and teamwork skills. Students (grades 9-12) commit to raising $1,000 and attending 2-hour monthly council meetings. Applications open in June. https://wish.org/colorado/youth-volunteer-opportunities#youth-leadership-council-ylc
MCA Denver Failure Lab
This Museum of Contemporary Art’s yearlong internship program gives high school students the opportunity to learn through failure, play, experimentation, and art creation. The program meets in person every Wednesday from 4:30-6:30. Applications open in May and are due in June for the following school year. https://mcadenver.org/teens/leadership-programs/failure-lab
Rose Youth Foundation
A youth-led philanthropy program for Jewish teens in grades 10-12 to learn about grantmaking and community impact by helping distribute funds to local nonprofits across the Denver metro area. Applications open in the spring and are typically due in April. https://rcfdenver.org/donors-giving/partner-with-us/giving-circles/
Special Olympics Colorado Youth Activation Committee
A leadership opportunity for students passionate about inclusion and advocacy for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Members (8th-12th grade) support events, outreach, and awareness efforts, attend monthly meetings, and help plan and attend their annual Youth Summit. The application opens February 1st and is due early April. https://specialolympicsco.org/programs/ucs/youthactivationcommittee/
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado Cairn Program
A nine-month leadership and environmental stewardship program with monthly activities for Front Range students ages 14-18. Applications typically open early summer and are due late July for the following school year. https://www.voc.org/cairn-program
Youth Council on Mental Health
A statewide council sponsored by the Children's Hospital’s Partners for Children’s Mental Health (PCMH), that empowers students to advocate for youth mental health awareness, policy change, and stigma reduction. Student members hail from across the state, are between the ages of 13 and 19, and commit to 2 1.5-hour virtual meetings per month. The application opens each year in early March and is due April 30th. https://pcmh.org/ycmh/
350 Colorado Youth Action Committee
A youth-led committee within 350 Colorado that focuses on climate justice, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. The YAC organizes strikes, hosts educational events and webinars, and meets on the fourth Monday of each month from 7:00-7:30pm. The YAC Statewide Leadership group also meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm. The YAC is open to all interested Colorado youth 24 or under - no application required. https://350colorado.org/youth-opportunities/
Final Thoughts: Leadership Beyond Structured Programs
Leadership development doesn’t only come from structured programs or formal titles. Some of the most meaningful experiences come from student-initiated projects: ideas that start with curiosity, concern, or passion and grow into real-world impact.
One local example that recently came onto my radar is the Seal of Climate Literacy, a new initiative that was approved by the legislature after a high school student in Boulder pushed it through. If a project like this resonates with your student, they might explore working toward implementing something similar at their own school. The possibilities are truly limitless.
Part of what I love most about working with students is helping them brainstorm and develop personalized projects that align with their interests and values. Regardless of college applications, this kind of work fosters initiative, creativity, and resourcefulness, and helps students see they can create positive change in their communities. These are skills they’ll carry for life, and accomplishments they can be genuinely proud of.
