Alamosa to host free Citizens’ Academy

ALAMOSA — Transit Alliance is taking its Citizens’ Academy to rural communities in 2017 in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). The academy will be held in the San Luis Valley for Chaffee, Saguache, Mineral, Rio Grande, Alamosa, Conejos, and Costilla counties.

The free workshop will be held on October 26 in Alamosa. Apply by October 6.

The Citizens’ Academy is an educational workshop that brings community leaders and changemakers together to create a roadmap for the future by examining transportation’s connection to economic development, health, changing demographics and the preservation of communities.

The academy creates community leaders and advocates that understand the relationship between the infrastructure investments we make today and our communities’ development, prosperity and health of tomorrow

Why is the academy going rural?

Public transit has a much different look and feel across the state. For people who don’t drive (or don’t want to drive), such as seniors, people with disabilities, and people wishing to save money, other transportation options can be a life line to critical services such as medical care, groceries, and education. Since mobility in rural areas cannot be built with a “one size fits all” approach, it is vital to involve citizen stakeholders in the planning process. This is why Transit Alliance and

CDOT are partnering to pilot two Citizens’ Academy one-day workshop in the San Luis Valley transportation planning region. The academy engages citizens from all walks of life and empowers communities to take the lead in planning and implementing new connectivity opportunities.

What will the outcomes be of the Rural Academy?

Citizens’ Academy graduates make the connection between more mobility options and the economic opportunities, health and sustainability of their community. The academy forges patient leaders who connect their communities’ needs with transportation innovations. This process will also serve to activate the regional transit plans as a part of CDOT’s larger Statewide Transit Plan.

Please contact Program Manager Jamie at [email protected] to register.