Colorado GIFFORDS Courage Fellowship Application

Across the country, young people are standing up and demanding a safer future for their communities—demanding a future free from gun violence. Since 2018, GIFFORDS has supported these brave activists through our Courage Fellowship program, which provides a select group of young people the opportunity to refine their advocacy skills and work together to reduce gun violence. 

Over the course of the program, Courage Fellows between the ages of 18 and 24 will be placed at the heart of the gun violence prevention discussion. They will engage in an array of activities that focus on advocacy and effective organizing, from learning about the issue firsthand from gun policy experts to lobbying legislators at their state capitol. The program will consist of three in-person trainings and four virtual trainings with GIFFORDS staff. Between these trainings, participants will work on a community engagement project of their choosing, with the support of GIFFORDS staff and resources.

Colorado is a state with a history of both high-profile gun violence tragedies and meaningful legislative victories. After the state passed gun safety laws in 2013, a local gun rights group led a successful recall effort that flipped the state senate to Republican control and fostered a deep fear among lawmakers that kept many from supporting new gun violence prevention bills. When GIFFORDS began investing resources in Colorado in 2018 with the goal of creating a strong gun safety coalition, many viewed the issue as too politically risky. 

Since then, we’ve worked to counter that narrative and ensure that gun safety remains a top priority for our elected officials. We helped beat candidates endorsed by gun-rights groups in 2018 and 2020—backing champions like State Senator Tom Sullivan, an Aurora theater shooting survivor—and showed that gun violence prevention is not just good policy, but a winning political issue. Today, with a robust network of local leaders and engaged communities in spite of persistent opposition from extremist groups, Colorado continues to be a prime example of how we can drive meaningful change in the statehouse and at the ballot box.

GIFFORDS is dedicated to doing the tough work that needs to be done to save lives from gun violence in Colorado. You can be a part of that. 

Application Deadline 

The deadline to apply for the 2026/27 class of Colorado Courage Fellows is Sunday, September 27, 2026, at 12 am MT.

Our application is now live. If you have technical difficulties or questions, please email couragefellows@ giffords.org. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• An orientation meeting on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
• A three-day training in Denver from Friday, November 13, to Sunday, November 15, 2026.
• Virtual Training #1 on Saturday, January 16, 2027.
• Virtual Training #2 on Saturday, February 6, 2027.
• A two-day lobbying training and legislator meeting in Denver from Wednesday, February 10, to Thursday, February 11, 2027.
• Virtual Training #3 on Saturday, February 27, 2027.
• A three-day graduation in Denver from Friday, March 12, to Sunday, March 14, 2027.
• Regular check-ins and mentorship opportunities with GIFFORDS staff.
• The creation and implementation of a community engagement project with support from GIFFORDS.

Throughout the program, Courage Fellows will: 

• Learn from nationally recognized leaders in the gun violence prevention and greater progressive movements.
• Network with other young activists in Colorado, including past Courage Fellows.
• Develop and implement a gun violence prevention project in their community.
• Build critical team-building, communication, organizing, and advocacy skills. 
• Meet with lawmakers to discuss the importance of gun violence prevention legislation and advocacy. 

What is the community engagement project? 

The purpose of the take-home, community engagement project is for Courage Fellows to put the skills they learn in the first training to use in their own communities. The ideal project will be substantive, engaging, and locally focused. Fellows will brainstorm project ideas, subject to approval by GIFFORDS staff, throughout their first training. Past projects have included:

• Voter registration drives
• Press conferences
• Town halls with local elected officials 
• Art installations

We’re looking for the next generation of leaders in the gun violence prevention movement. The ideal candidate will:

• Have strong ties to Colorado and plan on remaining in Colorado for the foreseeable future. 
• Have a demonstrated interest in politics, community organizing, activism, or volunteerism.
• Be eager to learn new skills and open to different points of view.
• Be passionate about fighting gun violence and willing to work with others towards this shared goal. 

Applicants do not need to be extensively involved in the gun violence prevention movement already—we are looking to build a diverse class of Courage Fellows with varying backgrounds and experiences.
 

1. Willing to travel throughout Colorado for all listed trainings (all program-related costs, including food, travel, and hotel costs, will be covered by GIFFORDS).
2. Able to attend the entirety of all trainings.
3. Ready to join our Courage Fellowship Ambassador Program after the initial program ends, which includes: 
   1. Representing and attending at least two GIFFORDS community, legislative, and media events per year. 
   2. Mentoring incoming Courage Fellows.
   3. Planning or co-leading at least one event or advocacy initiative per year.
   4. Participating in quarterly check-ins with GIFFORDS staff.
   5. Contributing to communications through blogs, op-eds, or social media.