Published: March 31, 2018

Want to learn how you canÌýcreate a positiveÌýimpact on your community?ÌýÌý

On April 5,ÌýChris Barge,Ìývice presidentÌýof strategic initiatives at theÌý, will speak about the foundation's TRENDS Report, as partÌýof CU ÐßÐßÊÓƵ'sÌýCommunity Engagement, Design and Research (CEDaR)ÌýCenter'sÌýCommunity Conversations series. The report highlights trends relatedÌýtoÌýÐßÐßÊÓƵ County's most important issues, includingÌýsocialÌýservices and human needs.ÌýChris Barge PortraitÌýÌý

Barge,ÌýaÌýformer newspaper reporter for the Rocky Mountain News and the ÐßÐßÊÓƵ Daily Camera, will cover the highlights and facilitate a conversation about how participants can use the information and stories in TRENDS to deepen their connection to andÌýcreate aÌýpositive social impact uponÌýtheÌýlocalÌýcommunity.ÌýTheÌýfoundation sought outÌýresidents'Ìýstories after carefully analyzing more than 150 indicatorsÌýofÌýtheÌýcommunity’s social, economic and environmental health, he said.Ìý

"TRENDS includesÌýprofiles of people whoÌýpossessÌýthe hard-earned wisdom learned from living through toughÌýtimes,"ÌýsaidÌýBarge who edited the current report. "Their stories breathe life into theÌýdataÌýandÌýhelpedÌýthe foundationÌýarrive atÌýrecommendationsÌýabout howÌýlocal residentsÌýcan help."Ìý

The talk is sponsored byÌýCEDaR,Ìýa collaborative of faculty and students working with city governmentsÌýand other local partners toÌýfosterÌýdevelopment ofÌývitalÌýandÌýsustainableÌýColoradoÌýcommunities. The center, which isÌýhoused inÌýCU ÐßÐßÊÓƵ'sÌý,ÌýsupportsÌýresearch and teaching on community engagement,ÌýcityÌýplanning andÌýdesignÌýandÌýurban management.Ìý

"The TRENDS report isÌýan important model of how to organize andÌýcommunicateÌýsocial research toÌýstimulate community discussion andÌýreflection,"Ìýsaid Brian Muller, an associate professor in the Program in Environmental Design and director ofÌýCEDaR.Ìý"ItÌýisÌýone of many examples ofÌýinnovative workÌýoccurringÌýinÌýnonprofitÌýand governmental organizationsÌýinÌýthe region."ÌýÌýÌý

ThroughÌýtheÌýCommunityÌýConversation series,ÌýCEDaRÌýhasÌýinvitedÌýlocal practitioners, elected officials and othersÌýtoÌýdiscussÌýColoradoÌýurban managementÌýproblemsÌýand solutions. Topics rangeÌýfromÌýtransportationÌýtoÌýenergy efficiency and human services.ÌýThe series has been underway for one year, and the CU ÐßÐßÊÓƵ and surrounding community are welcome to attend.ÌýÌý

If you go
Who: Open to the CU ÐßÐßÊÓƵ campus and the community
What: Learning in Informal Settings Seminar: Chris Barge, VP Community Foundation ÐßÐßÊÓƵ County
When: April 5, 4-5 p.m.
Where: ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, ENVD 213, 1060 18th Street, ÐßÐßÊÓƵ, CO
Etc.: Free TRENDS magazines and light snacks