Ready Today, Safe Tomorrow: A Guide to Preparedness

That text message from your bank. That email asking you to verify your account. That link that looks legitimate — but something feels off. Would you know how to spot a scam? In this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, Jefferson County Chief Information Security Officer Ashley Bolton joins us for Cybersecurity Awareness Month to discuss the digital threats we face every day and how to protect ourselves. From recognizing phishing emails and text message scams to protecting your personal information and keeping kids safe online, learn what to watch for and what to do if you think you've been hacked or scammed. Learn more about cybersecurity and find helpful resources from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA). ••• Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail. ••• Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter Stay informed about county news, important services, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in your community with the Engage Jeffco newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes. ••• Follow us: Facebook: /JeffcoColorado Instagram: @jeffcocolorado X: @JeffcoColorado Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

Disregard what you've seen on TV. There's much more to a coroner's office than crime scenes and autopsies. In this episode of the Engage Jeffco Podcast, two members of the Jefferson County Coroner's Office — Chandler Ellis and Matt Van Deventer — take us behind the scenes to flip the script and separate fact from fiction. From investigating deaths and helping solve cold cases to reuniting families and providing answers to grieving loved ones, discover the investigative work, compassion and public service at the heart of what they do. Learn more about the Jefferson County Coroner's Office. ••• Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail. ••• Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter Stay informed about county news, important services, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in your community with the Engage Jeffco newsletter. Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter. ••• Follow us: Facebook: /JeffcoColorado Instagram: @jeffcocolorado X: @JeffcoColorado Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

As children, many of us were taught, "Don't talk to strangers." But one Jefferson County organization is asking Jeffco residents to do just the opposite. Kelly Dunkin, president and CEO of the Colorado Gives Foundation, joins the podcast to talk about the group's new initiative to foster a more connected Jeffco community — Talk to Strangers. Colorado Gives is making the case that a small hello today can build a stronger, more connected Jeffco tomorrow. Learn more about Talk to Strangers at JeffcoTalkToStrangers.org. Head to the Colorado Gives Foundation site to find the Jeffco Connection Toolkit and to learn more about the organization. Find Colorado Gives on social media: Facebook: /ColoradoGivesFoundationOrg Instagram: @coloradogivesfoundation YouTube: @coloradogivesfoundation ••• Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail. ••• Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter The Engage Jeffco newsletter a great resource for citizens to stay updated on county news, important services, events, and much more. In addition, the Engage Jeffco newsletter is a tool to help get citizens more engaged in their communities. Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter ••• Follow us: Facebook: /JeffcoColorado Instagram: @jeffcocolorado X: @JeffcoColorado Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social YouTube: @JeffcoColorado

How can young people in Jefferson County help shape decisions about the issues that affect them? At the 2026 Jeffco CTC Youth Town Hall, students will do more than answer questions. They will help shape the conversation and what comes next. Youth Town Hall Planning Team members Leila Cameron and Evelynn Philips join Emily Tucker, coalition manager for Jefferson County Communities That Care, to explain how this annual, youth-led event turns firsthand experiences into data that can guide local priorities and action. They discuss how the Youth Town Hall and Healthy Kids Colorado Survey work together, what happens to the input participants provide, why Jeffco CTC compensates young people for their time and expertise and how both youth and adults can get involved. *** Attend the 2026 Youth Town Hall The Youth Town Hall is open to young people ages 11-22 who live and/or attend school in Jefferson County. When: Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 12:45-3 p.m. Where: Lloyd G. Clements Community Center, 1580 Yarrow St., Lakewood Topics: Mental health, substance use, LGBTQ+ support and more Thank-you for participating: A $25 Amazon gift card, Qdoba, and snacks Access: Translation is available by request

Trying to go for a hike in the foothills or at Red Rocks this weekend but don’t want to fight for a parking spot? Westracks, Jefferson County’s new outdoor shuttle, is now up and running. Aaron Roth, Director of Jefferson County Parks & Open Space, and Emily Guffin, Trails and Access Program Manager, join Johnny and Carly to talk about how the shuttle makes exploring Jeffco even easier. Catch the free shuttle from the RTD W line or on your bike and explore seven stops throughout the foothills. Stops include: Red Rocks Trading Post, downtown Morrison by the Red Rocks Beer Garden, Dinosaur Ridge Discovery Center, Matthew/Winters trail head and more. It runs weekends and holidays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., is dog-friendly and is completely free! ••• Follow Westracks on social: Facebook Instagram ••• Have a question or comment? Want us to feature a specific topic or person in Jeffco? Drop us a message with SpeakPipe. Just hit record and leave us a message like you would leave a voicemail. ••• Subscribe to the Engage Jeffco Newsletter The Engage Jeffco newsletter a great resource for citizens to stay updated on county news, important services, events, and much more. In addition, the Engage Jeffco newsletter is a tool to help get citizens more engaged in their communities. Sign up for the newsletter and find all Engage Jeffco Podcast episodes at www.jeffco.us/805/Engage-Jeffco-Newsletter ••• Follow us: Facebook: /JeffcoColorado Instagram: @jeffcocolorado X: @JeffcoColorado Bluesky: @jeffcocolorado.bsky.social YouTube: @JeffcoColorado