Cuando se trata de problemas complejos, aprenda a ser un facilitador.

One could say that we have some wicked problems in Estes Park. What constitutes a wicked problem? They’re issues that require weighing competing values and making trade-offs. In other words, they’re a question with no solution that pleases 100% of everyone, 100% of the time.

Examples of wicked problems include complex issues around land use, housing, infrastructure, and tourism. Affected and involved folks have competing interests, different priorities and perspectives, and often, reaching a consensus can be challenging – though not impossible.

Deliberative engagement is a set of tools that help communities manage wicked problems. Unlike a typical public meeting process or listening session, where attendees might address a body of decision-makers one at a time from a podium, deliberative engagement brings together people on all sides of an issue to engage with each other in small group, facilitated conversations.

The process itself can depolarize contentious issues, and the output of the discussions helps inform public decision-making. The goal is to build trust and identify common ground by listening and working through trade-offs together.

This February, the Estes Valley Library and Estes Valley Restorative Justice Partnership (EVRJP) invite you to participate in a free deliberative engagement and facilitator training workshop. Led by Dr. Martín Carcasson, Director of CSU’s Center for Public Deliberation, the workshop will take place February 20-22 at the spacious Estes Park Museum. 

Interested attendees can choose between the full workshop, 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day, or an alternate “basics of deliberation” session on Thursday morning, February 20. No previous experience or community leadership is required – all are welcome, and the workshop is free to join.

As part of our Community Conversations initiative, EVRJP and the Library plan to host numerous opportunities to deliberate on challenging local issues in 2025 and beyond.

Learn how to make your voices heard, better understand others’ perspectives, and problem-solve collaboratively. View full details about the workshop, and sign up to secure your spot (space is limited!) aquí.