More Than Just Another Meeting

Take-aways from Jonathan McMillan, Trailhead’s Director of Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention

Over these two days, we continued to lay the foundation for real, meaningful change. We covered a tremendous amount of ground as we explored the public health approach to firearm-related harm and engaged in strategy sessions that discussed the unique roles each sector plays in addressing firearm death and injury in Colorado. Together, we started building a connected ecosystem—one where public health, public safety, education, research, philanthropy, and community leaders can form meaningful connections to collaborate and create sustainable, community-driven solutions. 

Public health leaders, researchers, community experts, young people, philanthropists, and public safety professionals pose for a group photo at Colorado's 2024 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention.
Public health leaders, researchers, health care providers, community experts, young people, public safety professionals, and philanthropists convened for Colorado’s second annual Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention in Vail, Colorado.

A focal point of the Roundtable were our open discussions where we explored the complexities of firearm injury and death and shared perspectives with experts from different fields. In the breakout sessions that followed, we discussed and defined the roles we playboth personally and professionally in reducing the harm from firearm-related incidents. The energy and insights that emerged were inspiring. Our conversations didn’t just focus on problems; we began to craft actionable strategies to take back to our communities. 

Jonathan McMillan, Director of Trailhead Institute's Firearm-Related Harm & Violence Prevention Program Office delivers opening remarks at Colorado's 2024 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention
Jonathan McMillan, Director of Trailhead Institute’s Firearm-Related Harm & Violence Prevention Program Office, delivers opening remarks.

Key Highlights from Colorado’s 2024 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention

Of all our moments together, three highlights stood out for me: the panel where young people bravely shared how firearm violence impacts their lives; the wealth of expertise from both national and local subject matter experts; and the announcement of the Colorado Safe Futures Fund 

Youth Leadership at the Roundtable

The youth panel was especially powerful. Young people courageously shared their lived experiences with gun violence, mental health struggles, and their hopes for safer communities. Their voices added an essential perspective and reminder that we shape the future not only for ourselves, but for all who come after. It was humbling to see their passion and determination to be a part of the solution, and we need their leadership to help drive the work that we do. 

I was also moved by our screening of Voices Unheard, a documentary by the Youth Voice Prevention Center-Denver. The documentary exposed the mental health challenges and firearm-related dangers our young people face daily. Combined with the difficult, honest, and raw, solution-focused conversations that followed, the entirety of our time together was a paradigm-shifting step toward a violence-free Colorado. 

Youth leaders facilitating a panel session at Colorado's 2024 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention
Youth leaders shared how gun violence impacts their lives and their visions for a safer future at Colorado’s 2024 Public Health Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention. Pictured from left to right: Sabrina Lahlali (co-facilitator), Keshon Nunn, Dupree McIntosh, Julian McMillan, Keen Cano, Diego Fraire, and Olivia Duchovnay (co-facilitator). 

Collective Wisdom

The depth of knowledge shared by both national and local subject matter experts throughout the event was also impactful. From public health and policy leaders to community organizers and researchers, their combined expertise allowed us to explore firearm harm prevention from multiple angles. Their contributions helped ensure that our conversations were grounded in both evidence-based strategies and on-the-ground realities, enriching the solutions we’re working to develop for Colorado. 

Experts working across harm and violence prevention join for a panel discussion on the different types of firearm-related harm.
Experts working across harm and violence prevention join for a panel discussion on key take-aways related to understanding the work happening across the field of suicide and self harm prevention, community violence, mass and targeted violence, and domestic and intimate partner violence. Pictured from left to right: Kim Gutierrez with Giffords, Norman Kerr with Trajectory Changing Solutions, Jocelyn Fontaine with the Black & Brown Collective for Community Solutions to Gun Violence, Lena Heilmann with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Office of Suicide Prevention, Sasha Cotton with The National Network for Safe Communities at John Jay College, Tiffany Sewell with the Department of Homeland Security’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships, and Reggie Moore with Medical College of Wisconsin.

Announcing a New Statewide Collaboration to Prevent Firearm Harm

The announcement of the Colorado Safe Futures Fund — a new statewide collaboration that leverages the collective power of individuals, communities, and philanthropy to prevent firearm injury and death across Colorado — added momentum to our collective effort. Led by the Rose Community Foundation in collaboration with peer funders across Colorado, the Colorado Safe Futures Fund will directly address the root causes of firearm harm and support evidence-based interventions in the communities that need it most. 

Sarah Kurz from the Rose Community Foundation announces the Colorado Safe Futures Fund
Sarah Kurz from the Rose Community Foundation announces the Colorado Safe Futures Fund. The Fund’s primary objective is to invest in and advocate for efforts that reduce and prevent firearm-related injury and death in Colorado.  

What’s Next?

Trailhead’s Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention (FHVP) Program Office is committed to thoroughly reviewing the data and conversations from the Roundtable to synthesize findings from the convening into a comprehensive report. With the degree of important discussions and extensive notes, the summary report will take time, but it is our top priority. This report will capture key findings and help guide our future efforts.

Our immediate focus is identifying the communities most impacted by firearm-related harm and working with local leaders to design solutions that reflect their unique needs and strengths. In the coming weeks and months, Trailhead’s Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention (FHVP) Program Office will conduct extensive community outreach. Before the second day concluded, many attendees expressed interest in hosting smaller, local roundtables and learning events in their own communities. We welcome this enthusiasm and have encouraged Roundtable attendees to complete the post-event survey to indicate how they would like to stay engaged or explore hosting a tailored event. 

The FHVP Program Office is developing resources, such as toolkits and workshops, to support community-driven solutions. FHVP is dedicated to supporting local leaders and creating spaces for continued learning and collaboration. 

We are grateful to all who attended the 2024 Roundtable on Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention. Many are a part of this journey and we’re inspired by our shared commitment to creating a safer, healthier Colorado. We look forward to working together and ensuring the progress we’ve made doesn’t end here. 

In service,
Jonathan McMillan,
Director of Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention

With Gratitude

The Roundtable was made possible through the vision of Jonathan McMillan, Trailhead’s Director of Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention, and with the support of numerous partners. The work of the FHVP Program Office would not be possible without the support of the Colorado Safe Futures Fund, the first philanthropic partnership in Colorado to invest in and advocate for efforts that reduce and prevent firearm-related harm through a public health approach.

We are grateful for our partners at the Office of Gun Violence Prevention for co-hosting the Roundtable and being an essential partner in this work. Jacob Bornstein and Erik Arndt with Wellstone Collaborative Strategies and Rachel Massman with Rachel Massman Consulting brought the Roundtable to life from event planning and convening subject matter experts, to developing supportive learning resources, facilitation, and managing on-site logistics. Trailhead’s Youth Sexual Health Program supported youth engagement at the Roundtable, and leaders from the Regional Health Connector Program and Operations Team aided the FHVP Program Office in communications, community engagement, and run-of-show.

Finally, the success of the Roundtable is rooted in those who were in the room. We are deeply moved by everyone who showed up willing to share their expertise, lived experience, and engage in learning together to advance community-based solutions that will make for a safer future.