Students and youth advocates ask Denver council to back My Colorado Card pilot bill

At the Feb. 2 public comment period, students and community leaders urged Denver City Council to support a state pilot they described as the My Colorado Card.

"Students are eager to work hard. What we need is a system that works for all of us," said Brian Vu, a high school student and Faithbridge shift fellow, who asked the council to "center students and families" when shaping policy and to support House Bill 10 55, which he said would give students in grades 6 through 12 access to arts, recreation and extracurricular programs.

Rose Martinez, who said she is a community-appointed representative on the city school coordinating committee and a leader of a district accountability committee, echoed that request and urged council investment in youth development, partnerships with schools and community organizations, and safe, accessible youth programs.

Jessica Escalante, Faith Bridge staff and longtime local resident, urged the council to "partner with schools, families and community organizations" and said about 500 Denver students had signed in support of the bill. "Our vision is clear: when all students have access to opportunity, they thrive," she said.

Speakers characterized the proposal as a way to reduce "opportunity deserts"—areas where students lack access to tutoring, enrichment, mental health supports and extracurricular opportunities—by expanding access to cultural and recreational programs. The comments were appeals for council support and awareness-building rather than requests for specific municipal action recorded on the council floor.

No council vote or formal endorsement was taken during the session; the comments were delivered during the allotted public comment time.