HEART Force (Hazard Education, Awareness, and Resilience Task Force) is a Colorado program that empowers students to help their communities address challenges such as wildfires, floods, drought, and climate change. Led by CIRES CEEE's Katya Schloesser, the program connects students with local leaders and emergency managers to develop real-world resilience solutions. 

In Gunnison, students organized bilingual preparedness events, wildfire awareness outreach, and community engagement activities that helped connect residents with important hazard information. The experience built students' confidence, leadership skills, and interest in environmental careers while showing community leaders the value of youth voices in resilience planning. The program demonstrates that stronger, more prepared communities are built when young people are trusted as active partners in problem-solving.