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New Healthy Futures Coalition director outlines youth-led plan to curb substance misuse
Summary
The Aspen–Pitkin County Healthy Futures Coalition, supported by a Drug-Free Communities grant, formed a youth advisory and is moving to implement prevention strategies focused on culture change and limiting access to substances.
Kayla Bailey, the newly appointed director of the Aspen–Pitkin County Healthy Futures Coalition, briefed the Pitkin County Board of Health on Jan. 16 about a new, federally supported effort to prevent youth substance misuse in the valley.
Bailey said the coalition — formed last January and led in part by Aspen Family Connections — received Drug-Free Communities funding and used it to hire a full-time director in December. “It is a family epidemic,” Bailey told the board, describing a community with high achievement and stress, ready access to alcohol and other substances, and limited in‑Valley treatment options. She said the coalition’s early strategy emphasizes preventing access and changing the culture that normalizes substance use by youth.
The coalition has formed a youth advisory team of 12 students (grades 8–12) who meet twice monthly and who are designing prevention work, including a “photo‑voice” project to document where youth encounter substances and substance-promoting cues. The coalition plans to send four youth and four adults to the CADCA National Leadership Forum in National Harbor, Maryland, as a training opportunity.
Bailey said the coalition is coordinating with local partners including Aspen Family Connections, the school district, Mind Springs Health, Aspen Tobacco Tax programs and public health staff. She described the effort as “valley‑wide” in scope and in an early stage, with an initial focus on Aspen but a stated intent to seek broader funding and expansion.
Board members raised questions about perception versus measured use — citing recent Healthy Kids Colorado survey data — and urged greater outreach to parents, employers and tourism partners to change norms that may normalize heavy drinking or permissive adult behavior. Several board members recommended outreach through the chamber of commerce, ski company partners, and local media. Jordana, the public health director, said public health will continue close collaboration with the coalition and the school district.
