UpRISE is Colorado’s social justice youth tobacco control movement. UpRISE supports 20 youth coalitions across the state. UpRISE is led by our Youth Action Board. These young people work to make effective social change in their communities by supporting tobacco control policy as well as addressing the root causes of youth nicotine use. Each year, the UpRISE Youth Action Board, along with adult tobacco control partners, plans and executes a statewide activity. This is UpRISE’s third year, and despite COVID-19 programming impacts, UpRISE’s youth leaders continued to meet and plan a Statewide Activity for all UpRISE youth to feel connected and empowered. After a year of incredible hardship and deepening inequities, UpRISE’s Youth Action Board created an idea for an art book that could create a sense of belonging despite social isolation and highlight youth’s voices of strength, resilience, and hope. This year’s Statewide Activity is an art and poetry compilation centered around youth leading today and tomorrow, as a reminder that the work and passion done today will impact our future and young people should be proud and recognized for the work they do.

We invite you to be inspired by youth today, and tomorrow.