How making time for connection strengthens civic leadership

A conversation with CO Attorney General Phil Weiser

Community leaders sit around a large rectangular table.

“There was so much civic power and care in that room.” - Amber Ptak, ChangeLine CEO

One of the best parts of our work is bringing people together in ways that strengthen our community. Recently, we had the opportunity to do just that.

We invited an incredible group of civic leaders from across El Paso County, along with Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, to join us for a thoughtful, nonpartisan conversation about civic leadership and shared accountability. The goal wasn’t to address a single issue, but to explore how civic leadership, power, and responsibility show up across the systems we collectively influence.

With Amber Ptak, our CEO, guiding the hour-long conversation, the group talked openly about trust, burnout, and the very real challenges they’re navigating right now. They reflected on who holds power and what it takes to create spaces where more people, especially those with lived experience, can meaningfully participate and shape decisions.

Having time together also allowed people to explore possibilities. They shared ideas, made new connections, and explored concrete ways to support each other going forward. As one attendee noted, the meeting was a reminder of “how many others care about the community and are working to improve it.”

Opportunities like this matter because so many of us rarely get the chance to pause, reflect, and learn from one another across roles and sectors. But finding moments to step out of urgency and connect with one another helps strengthen the civic fabric of our region and lay the foundation for meaningful change.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed up with such openness and curiosity, and to Safe Passage for providing a warm, welcoming space that helped set the tone for the conversation. Reflecting on the experience, Amber said, “There was so much civic power and care in that room. Being surrounded by these incredible leaders makes me proud to live and work in Colorado Springs.”

If you’re interested in joining us for a future conversation or would like support in facilitating one of your own, we’d love to hear from you. Please email us at communications@changeline.org.