Walking With Youth. Lifting Futures.
Our Vision
A Colorado where every young person has equal access to educational and career opportunities that will ignite their innate potential.
Our Values
Colorado LiftED Foundation strives to embody the values of:
A Seat at the Table: In any decision we are making, we have an open seat at the table for our youth, families, and communities.
An Inch Wide, A Mile Deep: We impact a small group, but we support them deeply and with everything we have.
Once A Dreamer, Always a Dreamer: Longevity and an unshakeable commitment throughout a youth’s life are at the core of what we do and how we do it.
Whatever It Takes: We don’t give up. When one path closes, we find another — because our commitment to youth doesn’t have an expiration date.
We, Not Me: Collaboration and partnership makes anything possible.
Our History
Class of 1988
In 1988, on the back lawn of the Colorado Governor’s Mansion, a group of young visionaries gathered with a shared ambition. They were inspired by Eugene Lang, the founder of the "I Have A Dream" Foundation in New York, whose revolutionary model proved that a long-term commitment could change a child’s life forever. Their mission was to adapt that national vision into a local movement—uniting individuals, civic organizations, and government to make a deep, sustained investment in Colorado’s youth.
That founding spirit has fueled nearly four decades of impact. In 2026, this journey reached a new chapter as the organization became the Colorado LiftED Foundation. While our name has evolved, our core belief remains unchanged: true impact is measured in years, and by staying the course with students and their families, our entire community thrives.
