“Our research shows youth want to passionately pursue what’s important to them, and marijuana can get in the way of their progress,” said Dr. Larry Wolk, department executive director and chief medical officer. “Underage marijuana use can affect the developing brain, making it harder for youth to go after what matters to them. This partnership with TEDxMileHigh helps connect youth with the knowledge, skills and steps needed to develop their passions and achieve their goals by meeting thought leaders throughout the state.”

The Protect What’s Next Adventures series will offer 12 adventures from now until June 2017, covering topics ranging from pro sports medicine, to firefighting and photography. Each free adventure allows young people to meet experts from diverse fields and participate in an interactive, immersive experience. Each adventure will give up to 20 young people the opportunity to spend the day connecting with individuals who have followed their passions and successfully achieved their goals.

The first Protect What’s Next Adventure — Become an ARTrepreneur — will be held Saturday, Dec. 10. Focusing on artists who transformed their love of crafting into successful businesses, this adventure will be held at Winter Session, a Denver-based canvas and leather goods company. Youth will tour the workshop, connect with local entrepreneurs, participate in discussions about starting their own businesses, and create their own leather goods.

Colorado youth between the age of 13 and 20 can register for a chance to win at ProtectWhatsNext.com/adventures.

Future Protect What’s Next Adventures include:

• Culinary Arts, hosted by Kelly Whitaker, Basta
• Instameet Photography Adventure, hosted by multiple Colorado photographers.• Denver Street Art, hosted by the Rino Arts District
• Black Canyon Astronomy/Nighttime Photography, hosted by Dave Lane
• SUP (Stand-up Paddle Boarding) Yoga, hosted by Sarah Russell

More details on these and other upcoming Adventures will be featured at ProtectWhatsNext.com/adventures.

About CDPHE’s Retail Marijuana Education Program The Retail Marijuana Education Program is paid for with marijuana tax revenue. Projects include Good to Know; the Spanish-language campaign, Marihuana En Colorado, Lo Que Debes Entender; and efforts to encourage youth to not use marijuana before age 21.

• Protect What’s Next is a comprehensive media campaign showing how underage retail marijuana use has the potential to get in the way of youth achieving their short-term goals.
     
• A complimentary campaign also encourages adults who youth trust and respect to deliver factual information about not using retail marijuana before age 21.  

About TEDxMileHigh Adventures Program Adventures connect people with the big ideas that take the stage at a TEDxMileHigh talk by introducing them to the movers, shakers, makers and doers from across Colorado. Adventures give attendees opportunities to “get their hands dirty with the big ideas,” ask questions and interact with thought-leader hosts. TEDxMileHigh will offer 50+ Adventures for adults and youth in 2017,ranging from art and design, to science and tech, to urbanism and sustainability, to food systems and wellness.