Investing in Colorado’s Future: How Colorado Credit Union is Empowering Communities Through Financial Literacy

Published: April 24, 2025

At Colorado Credit Union, we believe that financial wellness isn’t just a product we offer—it’s a promise we make to our community. That promise comes to life through our continued commitment to financial education and literacy, especially among youth and underserved populations.

In a time when financial decisions are becoming more complex and financial stress continues to impact everyday life, the need for accessible, practical financial education has never been greater. That’s why we have made financial literacy a cornerstone of our community impact efforts.

“Financial literacy has the power to change lives. By equipping our community members with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, we’re helping them navigate their current finances as well as setting them up for a lifetime of confidence, stability, and opportunity,” said Teagan Werden, Community Impact Manager at Colorado Credit Union.

Teaching High School Students to Make Smart Financial Choices

One of the ways we’re putting financial education into action is by partnering with local high schools across the Denver metro area to deliver hands-on financial literacy workshops. Our team regularly visits classrooms to lead discussions on real-world topics like budgeting, saving, credit scores, managing student loans, and understanding paychecks and taxes. We also offer Bite of Reality simulation events, giving students the chance to put what they’ve learned into action.

These sessions are designed to be approachable, interactive, and grounded in real-life decision-making. We know that teens are just beginning to earn money and take on financial responsibilities, so we focus on helping them build a strong foundation now—before they’re managing debt or applying for credit.

By working directly with educators, we tailor our lessons to match the needs of the students. The result? More confident, financially-aware young adults who are better equipped to manage their money and build long-term financial security.

Partnering With Nonprofits to Expand Access

Beyond the classroom, Colorado Credit Union is proud to partner with several nonprofit organizations that serve youth, families, and underserved communities. Our work with Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, for example, brings financial education directly to club members in a safe, supportive environment.

Through this partnership, Colorado Credit Union team members visit local clubs to teach age-appropriate financial lessons and lead engaging activities focused on saving, budgeting, and money management.

We also proudly support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado, where we’ve delivered similar educational content to Littles and their mentors through special events and group sessions. Our partnership goes beyond writing checks—we’re actively involved in the work, meeting young people where they are and helping them develop critical life skills.

Building Confidence Through Girl Scouts Programming

In 2024, Colorado Credit Union launched an exciting new collaboration with Girl Scouts of Colorado: the Junior Financial Counselor Patch program. This initiative empowers young girls with essential financial knowledge while helping them earn a unique badge.

The patch program includes interactive lessons on needs vs. wants, goal setting, saving, and giving back. It’s hands-on, collaborative, and requires each girl to not only learn the skills but then teach them to another person, helping scale even further the financial education teachings. As with all our initiatives, the focus is on building long-term habits that will serve participants for years to come.

“Through this program, our Girl Scout Brownies and Juniors have gained invaluable insights into budgeting basics, the importance of saving with a purpose, and making informed purchasing decisions. Together, we are shaping a future of smart, financially responsible leaders,” said Breann Grell, Director of Corporate Programs at Girl Scouts of Colorado.

Why It Matters

Financial literacy is more than just knowing how to balance a checkbook—it’s about understanding how to make informed decisions that can shape the trajectory of a person’s life. At Colorado Credit Union, we see firsthand how knowledge leads to empowerment. Whether it's helping a high school student understand the cost of borrowing or supporting a parent trying to build a budget for the first time, our mission remains the same: to create lifelong value for our members and our community.

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, our commitment to “People Helping People” isn’t just a motto—it’s our guiding philosophy. Every financial literacy event, classroom visit, or nonprofit collaboration helps us fulfill that mission.

“At its core, financial literacy is about empowerment. At Colorado Credit Union, we are committed to serving people throughout their financial journey’s, knowing that this investment will ultimately strengthen our entire community,” added Werden.

Looking Ahead

Colorado Credit Union is proud of the momentum we’ve built, but we know there’s more to be done. That’s why we’re continuing to expand our financial literacy efforts across the communities we serve—from metro Denver to Brighton, Littleton, and beyond.

Together, we can build a stronger, more financially empowered Colorado—one lesson at a time.