Purpose:

The Colorado Institute for Leadership Training was created to provide emerging leaders with the information and skill they need to make a difference in our times. The Institute is a non-profit organization, committed to the principles of collaborative problem solving, consensus-based decision-making, and the celebration of diversity. Our core premise is that societal improvement can only take place through collective action. Only by working together can we take on the challenges faced by our communities, our state and our nation.

Who Are Our Alumni?

The Institute recognizes that leadership can take many forms. CILT has graduated over 500 engaged citizens from our leadership training program. These alumni have gone on to serve as congresswomen, state treasurers, state legislators, city council members, mayors, county chairs, county commissioners, school board members, sheriffs and campaign managers. We define politics and leadership, however, as more than the art of getting elected to office. Other alumni have chosen to become more active in policy advocacy, community advocacy, labor, their church, their neighborhood, their service organization, or their community.

Class Commitment:

The Class of 2010 represents the 20th year of the program. Approximately 40 emerging leaders, from all backgrounds, age groups and regions of the state, will be selected to participate in this class. Each session deals with a different skill or subject and is held in different parts of the state. Three of the classes involve Friday night and Saturday day sessions, returning home on Saturday night. Two of the classes to the Western Slope and Plains involve Friday night travel and socializing, Saturday day Sessions, Saturday night festivities, and Sunday programming through mid day, returning home Sunday afternoon.

The course takes place over ten (10) weekends between January and June, each year, including five weekend retreats to Colorado locations such as the Western Slope, South East Colorado, the San Luis Valley, and Northern Colorado, and covers pressing issues in Colorado such as Education, Rural and Agricultural Issues, Water, Politics, and the Economy.

The Class of 2009

The Class of 2009 was made up of people from Ft. Collins, Boulder, Longmont, Douglas County, Broomfield, Summit County, Pagosa Springs,  El Paso County, and Metropolitan Denver. They range in age from the 21-70 and came from all walks of life. Some of the people are formerly elected individuals or candidates in the 09/10 election cycles, or have run for office, or are planning to run for office. Other folks are educators, business people, entrepreneurs, ranchers, small business owners,  doctors, lawyers, activists, and health professionals. They are all interested in Colorado and her issues and in learning from each other.

Potential Class Topic

• Health
• San Luis Valley Issues
• Civics
• Religion and Politics 
• Leadership
• Early Childhood Education
• K-12 Issues
• Higher Education Issues
• Agricultural Issues
• Criminal Justice
• Mental Health
  
• Urban Growth 
• The Environment                                                                      
• Water
• West Slope Issues    
• Energy Issues                                                                          
• TABOR/Budget Impacts 
• Rural Issues

Potential Venues

• Adams County
• Alamosa County
• Arapahoe County
• Adams County
• Baca County
• Boulder County
• Denver County
• Douglas County
• Eagle County
• El Paso County
• Garfield County
• Jefferson County   
• Moffat County
• Phillips County
• Prowers County
• Pueblo County
• Routt County 
  
• Summit County  
• Washington County