February Resiliency Conversation: Resilient Colorado Communities
The Colorado Resiliency Office (CRO) not only supports the integration of resilience at the State level by working across agencies, but also provides technical assistance and planning support to local governments to better aid communities in pursuing their own resilience goals.
The resources and planning required to thrive in the face of disruptions looks a little bit different for every community. The CRO works to meet communities where they are, while also connecting them with resources that can help them prepare for the evolving conditions of the future.
What is Resilient Colorado Communities?
Resilient Colorado Communities is the program spearheaded by the CRO to support local communities as they adapt and thrive. The services included in this program fall into four main categories:
Resilience Workshops and Webinars
The CRO provides a wide range of trainings, workshops, and webinars to help Colorado communities build capacity. The primary workshop offered is Camp Resilience, which brings together local government leaders within a region to work on projects and plans to better adapt to change and plan for the future.
Local Planning and Implementation
The CRO’s staff are experts in adaptation and resilience, and while planning for the future can often be challenging, being proactive ensures that communities are better able to withstand, respond to, and recover from disruption. The CRO supports Colorado communities in integrating resilience into local planning processes and provides a library of case studies that communities can adapt for their needs.
Resilience Funding and Best Practices
The CRO works in collaboration and partnership with State agencies as well as local governments to better integrate resilience through advising on best practices as well as connections to resources and funding.
Facilitating Local Resilience Networks and Communications
We often learn best when supported in community. The CRO has historically supported convenings of peer groups during times of disruption such as the COVID-19 and 2020 Wildfires peer exchanges. The CRO also fosters a network of resilience leaders across Colorado through continued discussions from trainings and workshops, as well as engaging local government leaders and partners to better advance resilience efforts.
Example of This Work in Action
Most recently, the CRO led the Camp Resilience Workshop in the town of Lamar, convening local community leaders from the Southeast Region to discuss best practices to overcome stressors this region was facing, which include population loss, turn over of community leaders and loss of institutional knowledge, infrastructure challenges, and more. While the outcomes and discussions of Camp Resilience are quite serious, we also know there is a lot of value in keeping things fun and light, so enjoy a giggle or two from the below photos (we take the dressing up like camp counselors very seriously!).
Join Us
Are you ready to take your community’s resilience and adaptation planning to the next level? Explore our website or contact our staff.
