HomeMy WebLinkAboutagenda.council.worksession.20240520AGENDA
CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
May 20, 2024
4:00 PM, City Council Chambers
427 Rio Grande Place, Aspen
I.Work Session
I.A Interview for the Liquor Licensing Authority
I.B Aspen Family Connection / Tobacco Tax Update
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Board & Commission Interviews MEMO - 5.20.24.pdf
Tobacco Tax Update to Council May 2024.docx
Attachment A_2024 Soundcheck Prevention Report_Aspen.pdf
Attachment B_AFC -Soundcheck Prevention Project Infographic.pdf
Attachment C_Aspen Prevention Logic Model.pdf
Attachment D - Full Financial Information.pdf
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MEMORANDUM
TO:Mayor and City Council
FROM:CJ Oliver, Director of Environmental Health and Sustainability,
Katherine Sand, Executive Director of Aspen Family Connections
MEMO DATE:May 13, 2024
MEETING DATE:May 20, 2024
RE:Update on Tobacco Tax Fund Use and Community Impacts
REQUEST OF COUNCIL:
The purpose of this memo and corresponding work session is to provide Council with an
update of the use of the tobacco tax funds collected by the City of Aspen and provided to
Aspen Family Connections to work on universal prevention services for the upper Roaring
Fork Valley. The update will include data on the outcomes from the programming made
possible through the tobacco tax collections and plans for moving this work forward into
the future.
SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND:
Beginning in 2018, the City of Aspen has collected a 40% sales tax on non-cigarette
tobacco and nicotine products and a $3 (+.10/year) per pack tax on cigarettes. Ballot
language to initiate the tax in 2017 set parameters that the money could only be spent
on financing health and human services, tobacco related health issues, and addiction
and substance abuse education and mitigation. In February 2020, Aspen City Council
agreed to provide up to $250,000 per year to Aspen Family Connections, a subsidiary of
the Aspen School District, to enhance universal prevention and youth engagement
services for the upper valley. The programming implemented by AFC is focused on a
variety of known needs established through regular data collection and community
assessment which is conducted in coordination with numerous community stakeholders.
Prior to creating the spending/implementation plan, staff worked with interested parties
including the Aspen School District, Pitkin County, Aspen Youth Center, Buddy Program,
Kids First and others to better understand the needs in the community around tobacco and
substance use as well as mental health. During these planning sessions it was clear that
the two key themes that should be a priority in the Aspen community were:
A focus on youth programming in the schools and community
An emphasis on prevention
With that information in hand, Aspen Family Connections has coordinated and taken the
lead on establishing and enhancing programs to improve outcomes in those two areas.
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Previous Council Action on this matter includes the following:
September 5th, 2017-Aspen City Council adopted Resolution 122, Series of 2017
to place ballot language on the November 2017 ballot, proposing a tobacco tax for
the City of Aspen.
November 7th, 2017-Aspen voters approved ballot language, establishing a City
of Aspen Tobacco Tax. (75%- yes/ 25%-no)
August 13th, 2019- Aspen City Council directed staff to work with Aspen Family
Connections to develop a plan to use a portion of the tax revenue to address
identified substance use and prevention service needs.
February 14, 2020- Aspen City Council approved an MOU with the Aspen School
District to provide funding to Aspen Family Connections to use the Tobacco Tax
funds, up to $250,000/year to initiate/enhance programming focused on substance
use and prevention services.
DISCUSSION:
The initial rollout of services and programming related to this funding was delayed due
to COVID 19. Aspen Family Connections efforts during the early stage of the pandemic
were focused on providing basic needs to the community including operating a food
bank and working directly with families in need to ensure that they were able to make
ends meet. Additionally, the Aspen School District was operating in a variety of at home
and in person arrangements, dependent on conditions. This made establishing in
school services essentially impossible in 2020. With a return to in person learning, the
rollout of new and enhanced services officially began in the fall of 2021.
In the work session, Katherine Sand with Aspen Family Connections will be providing
an update on the work this funding has made possible through AFC as well as
information about the impacts of those efforts and plans for building on the momentum
from the past three years, moving forward. Attached information to help inform that
discussion includes the 2024 Soundcheck Prevention Report (Attachment A), the
Soundcheck Prevention Project Infographic (Attachment B), and the Aspen Prevention
Logic Model (Attachment C).
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FINANCIAL IMPACTS:
Tobacco Tax Collections
Year Tax Collections Tax Rate
2018 $386,123 $3.00/pack + 40% Other
2019 $402,987 $3.10/pack + 40% Other
2020 $301,749 $3.20/pack + 40% Other
2021 $348,287 $3.30/pack + 40% Other
2022 $351,564 $3.40/pack + 40% Other
2023 $326,953 $3.50/pack + 40% Other
2024 (thru Feb.)$67,023 $3.60/pack + 40% Other
The City of Aspen currently provides up to $250,000 (minus a 2% admin fee) per year to
Aspen Family Connections to provide services in line with their proposal to council in
2020. Annual distributions to date have been:
2021 $81,670
2022 $245,000
2023 $245,000
2024 $163,330 (Anticipated through August)
Aspen Family Connections will request to continue the current level of funding for an
additional three years.
This level of funding to Aspen Family Connections has also allowed for a fund balance to
accumulate which allows for additional one-time request to be considered in line with the
ballot language, at Aspen City Council’s discretion. As of this meeting, that fund balance
is $732,668.
ATTACHMENTS:
A- 2024 Soundcheck Prevention Report
B- Soundcheck Prevention Project Infographic
C- Aspen Prevention Logic Model
CITY MANAGER COMMENTS:
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Aspen Prevention
Project
2021-2024 SUMMARY
January 11, 2024
Soundcheck Prevention Network
Asheville, NC
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Soundcheck Prevention Network
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About Soundcheck Prevention Network ......................................................................................................... 2
Project Background ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Summary ............................................................................................................................................................... 3
The Need for Prevention in Aspen ............................................................................................................... 3
Strengths and Opportunities ......................................................................................................................... 3
Solutions ........................................................................................................................................................... 3
Current Project Status ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Next Steps ......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Project Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Overview of Work to Date .............................................................................................................................. 5
Data Collection ............................................................................................................................................ 5
Community Risks and Protections..................................................................................................................... 7
Focus Areas .......................................................................................................................................................... 8
Cultural norms and expectations .................................................................................................................. 8
Differentiating adult and teen use ................................................................................................................ 8
Building Resilience .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Family and caregiver Engagement............................................................................................................... 9
School connectedness and student wellbeing........................................................................................... 9
Next Steps and Recommendations ................................................................................................................ 10
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Soundcheck Prevention Network
ABOUT SOUNDCHECK PREVENTION NETWORK
Soundcheck’s founder and team of prevention professionals have a combined twenty-five years’
experience in the field of substance misuse prevention. They have provided education, trainings,
and comprehensive prevention consultation to more than 150 schools across forty states in the U.S.
and more than twenty countries. Soundcheck distinguishes itself from other drug prevent ion
programs by working closely with school and community partners to develop tailored, sustainable
strategies that engage the whole community.
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Soundcheck Prevention Network (Soundcheck) partnered with Aspen Family Connections (AFC) in
2021 to initiate a community-wide comprehensive substance misuse prevention project. This project
represents a shared commitment to a whole-community approach that focuses on reducing known
risk factors for substance use, while strengthening a broad range of parental, school, and community
protective factors.
The first phase of the project was an assessment of youth substance use and contributing factors
using quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. The team also started facilitating school-
and community-based education for youth, families, and adults.
The second phase will use assessment results to strengthen existing partnerships and create
sustainable change throughout the schools and city.
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SUMMARY
THE NEED FOR PREVENTION IN ASPEN
Certain factors have contributed to concerning youth substance use rates in Aspen that are higher
than national norms and other districts in Colorado:
➢ Community norms promote substance use, creating an environment where such behaviors
are socially acceptable and glorified.
➢ Youth exaggerate levels of substance use by their peers, potentially influencing their own
attitudes and decisions about substances.
➢ Historical narratives, such as the influence of figures like Hunter S Thompson, tourism, and
the normalization of cannabis, contribute to perceptions of Aspen as a “party town”.
➢ Underage youth have easy access to substances like nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis.
➢ The prevailing concept of health focuses on diet, exercise, and physical appearance while
neglecting the importance of non-use or moderate use of substances and mental wellbeing.
➢ Socioeconomic factors further complicate these challenges , affecting access to educational,
recreational, and supportive resources.
STRENGTHS AND OPPORTUNITIES
Aspen has a strong commitment to youth development and public health that offers a solid
foundation for prevention initiatives. By leveraging the following strengths, the community can
create an environment that nurtures positive youth development.
➢ The availability of funding, manpower, and other resources provides a promising
infrastructure for sustaining initiatives over time.
➢ Aspen has strong leadership that is aware of community needs, which will allow for tailored
interventions and productive collaboration.
➢ The community’s spirit of adventure offers a rich opportunity to engage youth in activities that
inspire passion and encourage personal growth.
➢ Organizations like the Ski Club, school teams, and the Youth Center have untapped potential
to convey positive messaging and enhance overall well-being.
SOLUTIONS
A comprehensive, community-wide strategy is essential to address the identified challenges. The
following recommendations are based on public health and prevention best practices:
➢ Establish a dedicated Coalition to foster collaboration and unity between individuals,
organizations, and businesses.
➢ Elevate investment in equitable supervised recreational activities for youth.
➢ Equip parents and caregivers to provide structure and clear expectations for behavior, foster
open communication in the family, and create a supportive family environment.
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➢ Implement effective policies and laws that are well-communicated to businesses and
community members.
➢ Deliver timely, relevant, and factual education to youth, families, and school faculty and staff.
➢ Develop a sustainable community-wide and school-based framework for education and
interventions that outlines short- and long-term goals, interventions, and responsible parties.
CURRENT PROJECT STATUS
In two years, the work funded by Aspen City’s Tobacco Tax has addressed immediate, near-, and
long-term prevention needs and opportunities. These efforts include ongoing collection of
qualitative feedback from school and community stakeholders, thorough examination of data from
Healthy Kids Colorado and other surveys, and on-site provision of student and parent education.
This has culminated in a community-wide, collaborative development of a logic model for a school-
and community-based substance prevention plan. The logic model identifies roles, actions, and
desired outcomes and sets the table for development of a comprehensive theory of change that can
be implemented to reduce substance abuse in school and the community at large.
The process of information-gathering and community-collaboration has laid the foundation for
Phase II of the project: putting ideas into action.
NEXT STEPS
A focused strategy for community well-being involves collaboration and inclusivity. A community
prevention coalition can foster partnerships across sectors and secure sustainable funding.
Additional actions should include a focus on youth representation and engagement, family
partnership, equitable access to resources, integrated health and prevention education, and support
from local government and businesses.
For more information, please see the Next Steps and Recommendations section.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
OVERVIEW OF WORK TO DATE
Funded by the City of Aspen’s Tobacco Tax, the following work took place from December 2021 to
December 2023:
➢ Engagement with 25+ community partners across 10 community sectors through meetings,
presentations, and Soundboards (description below).
➢ Soundboards focus groups with 300 ASD students in 6th-12th grades to capture Student
Voice
➢ Provision of intensive substance misuse prevention education to more than 600 students in
classrooms.
- 430 Aspen Middle School + Aspen Community School students
- 200+ Aspen High School 9th graders in Health and Freshman Orientations Classes
➢ Development of parent engagement and leadership around substance misuse through
highly publicized opportunities for parent and community collaboration:
- March 2022 Aspen Community Parent listening session (Soundboard) in Library
- October 2022 Vaping Panel – hosted by AFC. Panelists included Soundcheck, School
Resource Officers, Pitkin County Public Health, Mind Springs Health
➢ Development of a community-focused prevention plan as well as school activities and
programs.
- Collaborative development of a working Logic Model
- Soundboards focus groups and student, faculty, and parent education
- Initiation and formation of Drug Free Community Coalition with leadership from
Collaborative Planning Group
DATA COLLECTION
We compared and integrated data from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey (HKCS) and common
themes from student and staff Soundboards (described below).
Compare &
Relate Interpret
Quantitative
Analysis
(HKCS)
Qualitative
Collection &
Analysis
(Soundboards)
)
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Soundboards Assessment
Soundboards are small-group interviews with students and other community members such as
parents, faculty, and coaches. Using open-ended questions, we learn community perspectives on
existing strengths and supports, challenges, student needs, and substance use concerns.
This process is designed to help communities gain insight into culture and climate as they relate to
substance use and health, determine prevention goals and priorities, and engage community
members in program growth.
During the initial site visit in December 2021, Soundcheck’s team met with key stakeholders
throughout the school district and city of Aspen. Participants included ASD school principals,
counselors, school resource officers, middle and high school students, the Board of Education,
Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent, mayor, Aspen Police Department, and numerous
community organizations including Aspen Youth Center and Mind Springs Health.
Survey Integration
In partnership with Pitkin County Public Health, we examined the 2017-2023 Healthy Kids Colorado
(HKCS) reports, with a focus on substance use trends and factors that are known to influence youth
attitudes and behaviors toward substances.
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COMMUNITY RISKS AND PROTECTIONS
Research identifies specific protections and risks in individuals, families, and communities that
influence youth attitudes and behaviors toward alcohol and other drugs. The more a program or
community reduces risk factors and increases protective factors, the more likely it is to prevent youth
substance misuse and related adverse outcomes.
The following graphic represents the prominent protections and risks for Aspen youth.
Regulation and reduced access
to substances
Neighborhood and group
cohesion
Schools that support academic
and holistic health
Connection to trusted
adults and peers
Parental monitoring and
support
Opportunities for
engagement with school
and community
Involvement in
academic and
extracurricular
activities
Resilience skills
Exposure to influences that
glorify substance use
Availability of substances and
opportunities to use
Community norms favorable to
substance use
Perceived use among
peers
Peer attitudes favorable
toward substances
Parent permissiveness and
lack of supervision
Early exposure to
substance use
Belief that substances
relieve stress, anxiety,
etc.
INDIVIDUAL: Age,
genetics, personality,
health
RELATIONSHIP:
Family, peers, teachers,
and other close
relationships
COMMUNITY: School,
neighborhood, settings
for social relationships
SOCIETY: Social and
cultural norms, policy,
and other broad
factors
PROTECTIONS RISKS
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FOCUS AREAS
Youth behaviors are shaped by their environments, including the attitudes and behaviors of
stakeholder groups, levels of collaboration and support, and collective understanding of policies
and norms. Therefore, prevention initiatives must engage all members of the community to address
the intricate web of environmental stressors and supports.
The following factors are relevant to creating a culture in which Aspen kids can thrive.
CULTURAL NORMS AND EXPECTATIONS
Alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use is relatively common among older teenagers, but it is not
compulsory or universal. What is more common is the overblown perception that all teens are going
to drink and that many will try other drugs. As a society, we expect teenagers to take risks and
“experiment” with substances. Adults who believe that most teens are engaging in a certain behavior
are likely to speak and act in ways that promote that belief. This can perpetuate false norms and
contribute to internalized social pressure.
Advertising, social media, TV and film, and adult modeling of substance use behaviors all play a role
in our beliefs about alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs. Consider how society’s view of cigarettes
has changed over the last several decades. How does this compare to our attitudes about alcohol
and, more recently, cannabis?
So, what messages are we sending to young people about these substances, either intentionally or
inadvertently, at adult gatherings where kids are present, around local businesses, on the ski slopes,
and in local media?
DIFFERENTIATING ADULT AND TEEN USE
Early substance use is a significant risk factor for substance use disorders and other problems. Teens
and young adults are establishing lifelong patterns, and their behaviors and choices in socializing
and de-stressing have a profound impact on their wellbeing and development.
By the time someone is a senior in high school, there is a good chance that they have had a drink of
alcohol at some point in their life. Some of these teens will decide they don’t want to drink, while
others will do so when an opportunity arises. Some of them will start to gravitate toward alcohol as a
means of fitting in or letting loose.
Regular or heavy use during adolescence could indicate an unhealthy relationship with substances
that persists into adulthood, in addition to other types of physical and mental harm. Consider the
types of harm that can occur when a teenager is drinking alcohol or using other mind -altering drugs.
Shorter-term negative consequences include losing consciousness, mood dysregulation, injury,
motor vehicle crashes, and sexual assault. Long -term consequences can include chronic disease,
cancer, addiction, and memory and learning problems.
Resources: Prevention Excessive Alcohol Consumption and NIH
Rethinking Drinking » How Much is Too Much?
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BUILDING RESILIENCE
Resilience refers to an individual’s ability to adapt in the face of adversity and stress. It is a critical
protective skill that can be nurtured throughout childhood and can counteract the influence of
environmental risk factors.
Additionally, resilience, healthy habits, and a supportive environment all contribute to academic
achievement and self-efficacy. There is an inverse relationship between mental health problems and
academic achievement. Conversely, resilient, engaged, and healthy children are more likely to thrive
socially, emotionally, and academically through high school and into young adulthood.
FAMILY AND CAREGIVER ENGAGEMENT
Caregiver attitudes and behaviors greatly influence their children’s relationship with self and the
world around them. This is also true when it comes to modeling relationships with substances like
alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis.
We need parents and caregivers to be strong allies in prevention. To do so, they need to feel
equipped to reflect on their own beliefs, to wade through difficult conversations, and to help their
kids confidently navigate challenges. This involves:
➢ Modeling healthy behaviors through actions and words
➢ Keeping the door open for reciprocal conversations
➢ Setting boundaries, enforcing rules, and following through on consequences
➢ Turning mistakes into learning opportunities
SCHOOL CONNECTEDNESS AND STUDENT WELLBEING
When students feel connected to school adults and peers, they are more likely to engage in their
learning and less likely to misuse substances or engage in other harmful behaviors. While prevention
education and policies that balance discipline and non-disciplinary support are important,
connection may be the strongest protective factor.
Resources: CDC Healthy Schools, Resilience Guide for Parents
and Teachers, and Raising Resilient Kids
Resource for parents: Talk. They Hear You. and Talking to Kids
You Love
Resource for schools: School Policies, School Connection, and
Adolescents: What Predicts Young Adult Substance Use? and
CDC School Connectedness
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NEXT STEPS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations address the needs established by the combined Soundboards and
HKCS insights and are formulated for compatibility with existing initiatives and structures within the
community and in the Aspen School District.
Community-Wide Interventions
Policies and Laws
➢ Enforce laws that hold business owners, caregivers, and youth
responsible for their conduct around the provision and use of
alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs.
➢ Be mindful of advertisements and postings in public spaces that
youth frequent. Display messages that promote social, emotional,
and physical health.
➢ Adopt guidelines for best business practices, signage, and
business-to-business endorsement of unified messaging and
enforcement.
Coordination of
Resources
➢ Create a Community Prevention Coalition with diverse
representation from multiple stakeholder groups.
➢ Develop a cohesive prevention strategy that is embedded in
community policies and practices, has sustainable funding, and
can be maintained through leadership changes.
➢ Advertise resources for support (e.g., Counselor, hotlines, local
services) in various formats throughout public spaces and
communications.
➢ Reduce barriers to accessing medical, mental health, and
substance misuse prevention and treatment services.
Youth Voice
➢ Secure funding and personnel to establish a strong and sustained
youth voice representation.
➢ Provide comprehensive training and adequate compensation for
youth in official leadership positions.
Youth Recreation
and Supervision
➢ Create a collaborative network of recreational outlets between
Aspen Youth Center, Ski Club, school athletics, and other entities
that serve as healthy youth spaces.
➢ Youth spaces should provide adult supervision and role modeling,
clear rules, consistent consequences, and opportunities to learn
from mistakes.
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School District Interventions
Prevention Planning
➢ Balance disciplinary and non-disciplinary avenues for substance
use concerns and infractions. Incorporate a restorative component
based on the nature and severity of the infraction.
- Outline clear paths through the discipline and support systems.
Identify which practices are non-negotiable and where
individual cases may diverge.
➢ Identify opportunities for teachers, coaches, and advisors to
integrate consistent prevention-related messaging and skill-
building.
Prevention
Education
➢ Collaborate between divisions and departments to form a
consistent, stacked approach to substance misuse prevention
education. Lessons should build upon knowledge and skills from
previous years.
- Consider how the International Baccalaureate Programme can
lend structure and consistency to health, SEL, and prevention
education.
➢ Incorporate knowledge- and skill-building lessons into classes and
activities that align with health and prevention.
➢ Education should include information and skills that are relevant,
factual, and developmentally appropriate.
- Topics: Information about common substances (nicotine,
cannabis, alcohol), understanding personal risks and
protections, warning signs of a problem and how to
communicate concerns.
- Skills: Stress management, time management, impulse-control,
self-advocacy and seeking support, establishing and working
toward goals
Peer Support
➢ Provide training and resources for youth groups around peer
support and mentoring younger students.
➢ Topics and skills: Healthy role modeling, recognizing early warning
signs and communicating concerns, group facilitation
Faculty and Staff
➢ Training for health educators, coaches, administrators, and other
faculty/staff.
- Education topics: Prevention language and concepts,
information about common substances, warning signs and early
intervention
- Skills: Facilitating prevention-oriented conversations,
responding to warning signs and concerns
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Parent Engagement
➢ Empower Parent Councils and other parent groups to engage the
broader parent community in prevention conversations and
programming. Create a network of communication between
parents and between the parent body and the school.
Resource: Parent Engagement in Schools
➢ Parent engagement: Virtual information sessions, targeted
workshops, student-parent structured conversations
➢ Education topics for parents: Youth development and risks of teen
substance use, information about common substances, tips for
maintaining open conversation with their kids, setting and
enforcing limits, providing age-appropriate support
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Championing Prevention in Aspen
Soundcheck Prevention Network's partnership with Aspen Family Connections marks a comprehensive initiative to bolster
community health through school-based, community-wide substance misuse prevention strategies. The work thus far, funded
by the City of Aspen’s Tobacco Tax, lays the groundwork for a dynamic and sustainable culture of prevention in Aspen.
Soundcheck’s Approach
With a combined twenty-five years of experience in the field of substance misuse prevention, Soundcheck profession-
als have provided education, trainings, and comprehensive prevention consultation to more than 150 schools in the U.S
and more than twenty countries. Soundcheck distinguishes itself through tailored prevention programming that
facilitates robust community integration and holistic health.
Tobacco Tax Funding: Work to Date
Equip kids with skills
to succeed
Empower communities to
support kids
Cultivate
institutional partnerships
Amplify and maintain
engagement
FAMILY ENGAGEMENT
through listening
sessions and October
2022 Community
Vaping Panel
YOUTH VOICE
captured in candid
Soundboards with
300 students
650 STUDENTS
received intensive
prevention
educatio n
LOGIC MODEL
developed and
refined through
community input
25+ PARTNERS
in active program
consultation and
collaboration
10 SECTORS
including social
services, law
enforcement, and
schools
“We live in everyone else’s vacation.”
- Aspen Community Member
concerns remain pervasive
and severe amongst middle
and high school students
MENTAL HEALTH
of substance use among
AHS students compared to
declining national averages
HIGHER LOCAL RATES
normalizes substance
use within public
perception of health
RESORT CULTURE
and lack of dialogue
reinforces widespread
permissiveness
LOCAL ATTITUDES
of Aspen High School students have seriously
considered suicide in the past year18%
50%
of AHS students report
past 30 day alcohol use
24%
of Colorado HS students
report past 30 day alcohol use
42%don’t think it’s harmful to drink
alcohol or use cannabis regularly
Aspen’s unique challenges demand an integrated strategy for risk mitigation, community empower-
ment, and resilience. Together, we can build a healthier, more hopeful community where all thrive.
Phase II: Imperative Action
"I heard from my parents that I should expect to see
drugs when we moved to Aspen."
-7th Grader at Aspen Middle School
Many dedicated individuals and organizations
Availability of resources for initiatives
Recognition of areas for growth and needs
In the community
Aspen Family Connections as a central prevention hub
Strong leadership in key positions
Student, faculty, and staff readiness
In schools and families
CHALLENGES
led by Collaborative Planning Group
Form the Drug-Free
Community Coalition
from 2023 Healthy Kids
Colorado Survey to
form comprehensive,
collaborative plan
Analyze and
integrate data
to address lack
of information
and supervision
Educate parent
population
structure and elevate with
collaborative programs
Develop Youth Voice
with elementary schools and
middle-school IB curriculums
Early, intensive education
of wellbeing and health
towards current needs
and goals
Shift public
perception
through shared
language and
messaging
Build community
cohesion
such as Youth Center, Ski Club, and
school athletics to increase reach,
relevance and impact
Leverage youth recreation
Aspen
Prevention
Plan
Lack of coordination in prevention efforts
Local norms and narratives favorable to substance use
“Work hard-play hard” lifestyle contradicts basic tenets of
health and wellbeing
In the community
Under-informed, unengaged parent population
Permissiveness and lack of supervision
Socioeconomic disparities and lack of inclusion
In schools and families
ChallengesStrengths
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Activities Outcomes Outcomes
Community Short/Knowledge Medium/Action Long/Conditions
Youth Council provides insight and direction for community
prevention initiatives.
Family networking events offer opportunities for caregivers to
develop supportive relationships and share substance-and
behavior-related parenting challenges and strategies.
Structured,supervised activities for youth provide healthy
spaces for recreation and socializing.
Prevention committee establishes and advertises a network of
substance use prevention and treatment providers.
Law enforcement and restorative justice providers collaborate
to enforce substance-related laws and direct youth to
appropriate non-disciplinary supports.
Youth and adults have increased
understanding of the harmful
effects of substance use.
Caregivers have increased
understanding of how to enforce
boundaries and provide support
to youth around substance use.
Substance misuse treatment and
prevention providers increase
communication and collaboration
to work toward common goals.
Community organizations establish
common language and messaging
around substance use.
Youth and adults have increased
access to community resources for
substance misuse treatment.
Community personnel have
increased knowledge of mental
health risks and support services for
youth.
Reduced underage access
to substances in local
shops,restaurants,and
facilities.
Delayed initiation of
nicotine,alcohol,and
cannabis use by youth.
Increased access to trusted
adults within the schools
and community.
Youth-oriented community
organizations and school
staff use shared prevention
language and messaging.
Community norms support
healthy recreation and
socialization through
structured activities that
are available to all
community members.
Increased access to
substance misuse
treatment programs for
youth.
Activities Outcomes
School Short/Knowledge Medium/Action
Prevention education curriculum &programs provide
developmentally appropriate and relevant information and
skills.
Peer support programs offer opportunities for students to
voice concerns and connect with caring peer and adult
resources.
School administrators review and refine substance-related
policy &practices to balance discipline and supportive
interventions.
School personnel establish and advertise a non-disciplinary
early intervention process.
Faculty &staff receive prevention-related professional
development and support on an on-going basis.
School personnel have increased
knowledge of substance misuse
risks,warning signs,and support
services for youth.
Students have knowledge of safe
school personnel and resources
for support.
Students understand the
disciplinary and non-disciplinary
interventions for on-and
off-campus substance misuse.
Students participate and provide
guidance in school prevention
initiatives and intervention
programs.
Caregivers engage in
school-sponsored prevention
initiatives and family networking.
School personnel establish common
language and messaging around
substance use.
School wellness staff increase their
collaboration within the schools and
with community prevention and
intervention providers.
40
Attachment D- Full financial information for the Tobacco Tax
Year Collections Tax Rate
2018 $ 386,122.99 $3.00/pack + 40% Other
2019 $ 402,986.80 $3.10/pack + 40% Other
2020 $ 301,749.32 $3.20/pack + 40% Other
2021 $ 348,286.99 $3.30/pack + 40% Other
2022 $ 351,563.99 $3.40/pack + 40% Other
2023 $ 326,952.78 $3.50/pack + 40% Other
2024 (thru Feb) $ 67,023.09 $3.60/pack + 40% Other
YTD $ 2,184,685.96
$ 735,000.00 Aspen Family Connections
$ 15,000.00 Admin Fee Retained
$ 262,018.00 HHS 1x Grants Supplement
$ 75,000.00 HHS 1x Capacity Grants
$ 50,000.00 Lift Up Capital Contribution
$ 150,000.00 Response Capital Contribution
$ 100,000.00 2nd Response Capital Contribution
$ 65,000.00 Headquarters Program Contribution
$ 1,452,018.00
$ 732,667.96 Current Balance
41