The 35th annual YCD conference is a day of networking and inspiration for high school students and adult mentors to come together and further justice, equity, diversity, inclusion, belonging and access so that everyone can feel seen, heard and valued. What began as a project of a small group of students and one teacher blossomed into an annual gathering that drew over 730 participants from almost 60 schools and organizations across the state. The event is planned by students for students for a day of youth empowerment and community building.

• Feel a sense of connection to a larger movement of like minded people who are working toward positive social change

• Feel seen heard and valued for who you are 

• Get inspired to start or continue creating positive change in your community 

• Share your wisdom and experience 

• Gain knowledge and information to broaden your perspective

Conference Registration Will Open In Fall 2026!

Event Details

When: Saturday, January 30, 2027

Where: Cherry Creek High School 

Who: Youth and adults who are part of any group supporting positive social change. This could include:

• diversity or multicultural club or youth group, student council

• peace/conflict resolution focused organization including PeaceJam and Interact

• religious student groups interested in exploring interfaith dialogue and positive social change

• Affinity groups celebrating specific student ethnicities including Black Student Alliance, LULAC, and Native/Indigenous student clubs

• Disabled students and their allies from all backgrounds including ASL signing clubs 

• Female empowerment groups 

• GSAs, GLSN or other groups celebrating and supporting TQ2S+ and allied youth 

• youth environmental groups youth groups focused on mental health and substance prevention

• youth commissions

• library teen council

• school district youth equity committees

• Individual students with an adult mentor

• YCD Chapter members and adult mentors

What to Expect

• Workshops from a wide variety of people and organizations with a myriad of perspectives and experiences on topics that reflect the needs, interests and challenges facing Colorado teens

• Activities to center belonging and invite participants to feel seen, heard, and valued

• Opportunities for courageous conversations and meeting people from across Colorado

• Breakfast and lunch

• If you have attended the YCD Diversity Conference in the past, be ready for new experiences and opportunities! 

Cost

The YCD Diversity Conference is free for YCD chapters. If you would like to attend the YCD Diversity Conference without becoming a YCD chapter, registration is $30 per person and includes, breakfast, lunch and all programming.  However, we encourage groups to register as a chapter which brings significant benefits at a lower cost and provides support for your students to complete an action project to help everyone feel seen, heard and valued in your community.

If you are not part of a student club or organization, you can attend the YCD Diversity Conference with an adult mentor. Adults can attend the conference as a representative of a club or organization without students. 

Ways to get involved:

1. General Participant

2. Student Planning Committee

3. Volunteer 

Student Planning Committee (SPC)

Students who want a deeper connection with YCD and the YCD Diversity Conference can become part of the Student Planning Committee. This is an amazing opportunity to plan, host and determine the direction for the YCD Conference. 

Goals for SPC Participation

1. Students understand how to run a one-day conference from logistics to atmosphere to content.  

2. Students gain tangible durable skills in event planning, creating communities of belonging, facilitation, executive functioning (especially around accountability), consensus, fundraising, 

3. Students feel seen, heard, and valued and feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. 

Responsibilities

All SPC members serve as either the co-chair or member of a committee. Each committee is responsible for one aspect of the conference. During the conference, all SPC members will be welcoming participants during registration as well as running various aspects of the conference. 

2026-2027 Student Planning Committee Applications Are Now Open!

Volunteers

It takes a village to orchestrate the conference, and we need your help! Volunteers for the conference play a vital role in the planning and hosting of the conference. Here are all of the ways you can contribute to the success of our event:

1. Set up - we need volunteers to come to the venue the evening before to set up and prepare 

2. Food - ensure breakfast and lunch run smoothly

3. Room Assistants - each workshop has a room assistant who helps troubleshoot AV concerns, supports the speaker(s) with needs they may have during the workshop, and is aware of what to do in case of emergency, ensure room is reset after workshops

4. Activity assistants - support the students at various belonging activities happening throughout the day, ensure that participants interact with the activities in a kind and respectful manner 

5. General volunteers - we have a number of tasks throughout the day where support is needed. Signing up as a general volunteer allows us to meet our needs for someone who is flexible about their assigned tasks