Join hundreds of teens and teachers from across Colorado on Saturday, January 31, 2026, for a unique and powerful day planned entirely by and for students.
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At its inception, eighteen high schools gathered for what has now grown into the largest diversity and inclusion conference in the state of Colorado. In 2025 we were pleased to have 85 schools and organizations participating, with a total attendance over 1,000. This day-long conference is the only statewide conference dealing with issues of diversity and inclusion entirely planned by and for students.
Who Should Attend
The conference is open to all high school students and supportive teachers/adults from across Colorado. In particular, this event is a great opportunity for groups such as:
- Diversity or multicultural student clubs
- Student councils
- Peace/conflict resolution-focused organizations, including PeaceJam and Interact
- Religious student organizations interested in exploring interfaith dialogue and positive social change
- Clubs celebrating specific student ethnicities, including Black Student Alliance, Latinx or Hispanic student clubs, Native/Indigenous student clubs and others
- Gender/sexuality-focused student groups, including gay-straight alliances
- Female empowerment student clubs
- Peer counselors
- Deaf students and their allies, including ASL signing clubs
- Disabled students from all backgrounds
- Creative writing and performance student groups, including poetry, spoken word, hip-hop, dance and other clubs
- Students from a local youth organization, even if they attend different schools
- ANY group of teens interested in improving their school’s culture or making a positive change in their community
Student Facilitators
One of the exciting ways students can play a leadership role on the conference day is to serve as a student facilitator. Facilitators learn key skills including bonding, how to start a discussion, how to manage conflict, and much more — skills that will help them lead conversations on social change back in their clubs, schools, and communities.
The first interactive session of the conference day involves informal group discussions of 20-25 students per room from all over the state led by these trained student facilitators. Trained facilitators are paired with one another so they have a partner to help lead the conversation in their discussion group.
Do you know students who are ready to take a leadership role on the day of the Conference? YCD will be hosting a student facilitator training on Saturday, January 17 @ 10:30 am – 4:30 pm at Cherry Creek High School.
We encourage every school to identify at least 1-2 youth to attend facilitator training, if possible.
Venue and Directions
The Colorado Youth Diversity Conference will be hosted by Cherry Creek High School; you can find directions to the event on Google Maps here. Make sure you enter the campus at the intersection of Yosemite Street and Campus Drive. You can also download a PDF copy of directions here. The Cherry Creek High School campus is very large and has multiple entrances, not all of which will lead you to the right place. Please follow these directions to ensure you enter campus and park in the right spot.
Past Keynote Speakers
Each year the YCD Colorado Student Board selects a dynamic and interesting keynote speaker to address the audience; as soon as one is selected, we’ll announce it here. In the meantime, see below a list of past keynote speakers featured at the event:
Schedule
We fill the conference day with numerous opportunities for students and their adult mentors to discuss, engage and explore the topics that are most important to them. Click any portion of the day below for more information. You can also download a printable version of the day’s schedule.
Arrival and Parking / 8:00 – 9:00 am
We urge everyone to arrive as early as possible. If your group is not traveling to the event together, agree on a specific time to arrive as a group in advance. Note attendees are required to enter the campus off Yosemite Street and Campus Drive; you can find directions to the event here. Once parked, follow the balloons to enter the West Building near the clock tower.
Diversity Fair / 8:00 – 9:15 am
Each year we invite dozens of colleges, universities, post-graduate programs and the military to join us the morning of the conference for our Diversity Fair. On their way to breakfast, attendees will walk past the tables with representatives who are available to speak with high school students about their commitment to diversity. Students and adult mentors may take as much time at the Diversity Fair as interested. The Diversity Fair is also free and open to the public!
Breakfast / 8:00 – 9:15 am
We provide a light breakfast, including bagels and cream cheese, yogurt, fruit and muffins, as well as water. Participants are then ushered as a school group to the main auditorium to register.
Registration and Morning Entertainment / 8:45 – 9:30 am
Adult mentors register their schools as they enter the Fine Arts building; registration takes a matter of minutes. Each school receives a packet containing materials for the conference day, including nametags. An emcee and various student groups from around the state keep participants entertained as we get closer to starting the formal program. Past performers include the Chatfield Jump Rope Club, Northglenn Step Team, the Denver East Angels Drum Line and the Kalama Polynesian Dancers.
Opening Ceremonies and Keynote Speech / 9:30 – 10:20 am
Opening Ceremonies begin with welcome speeches by the conference student co-chairs and educational leaders. Each year the Student Board works hard to identify and invite a notable public speaker to address conference attendees.
Discussion Groups and Lunch / 10:30 am – 12:00 pm
The first interactive session of the conference day involves informal group discussions of students from all over the state led by trained student facilitators. Students have an opportunity to speak their mind about the social issues they are facing in their schools and communities, and hear from other students from across the state who may be facing similar or different issues. Lunch is served at this time as well.
Meanwhile, adult mentors gather to have their own discussions for professional development or about mentoring youth-led groups and chapters.
Workshop A / 12:10 – 1:20 pm
Students and adult mentors attend a workshop of their choice, chosen in advance. See a list of workshops offered here.
Workshop B / 1:30 – 2:40 pm
Both students and adult mentors attend a second workshop of their choice, chosen in advance. See a list of workshops offered here.
Closing Ceremonies / 2:50 – 3:30 pm
We finish the day by giving out a community award, viewing a video montage, and hearing from an exceptional musical performer.
Workshops
The 40+ workshops offered at the Conference each year are chosen by the YCD Colorado Board, so that the topics are constantly reflecting the needs, interests, and challenges facing Colorado teens. Use the link below to review the workshops available for the 2026 event.
Ready to join us at the Conference? If your school/group has formally registered as a YCD chapter, proceed to select your workshops! Not yet a chapter? Get more information and sign up today!
Travel and Lodging
In general, school groups within a 3-hour drive of the Denver Metro area can attend the event without requiring overnight stays. For groups coming from further away, YCD has negotiated a hotel room block with the Hilton Garden Inn Denver Tech Center, located just a few blocks from the venue. Click the button below for more info and reservations.
Registration
Groups
Established youth clubs and groups are encouraged to register as a chapter of YCD, which includes attendance at this Conference as part of their annual membership, in addition to numerous other benefits!
Individuals
Are you connected to a group that is already a YCD chapter? Sign up for workshops using the button below!
Are you a high schooler or educator without a group? Contact us for help in starting one or to discuss how you can still join this unique event.
Contact Info
Amy Atkins
Program Manager – YCD Colorado
Boulder, Colorado
(720) 509-9334
aatkins@ycdiversity.org