Contact: Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier, 970-471-2298 

SUMMIT COUNTY – The Summit County Board of Commissioners proclaimed October to be Conflict Resolution Month in Summit County Tuesday. In doing so, the board joins with individuals and organizations across Summit County and the State of Colorado committed to productive and nonviolent strategies for dealing with conflict, dispute and disagreement.

“Dealing with conflict in your personal or professional life can be stressful and difficult, but this year may be even harder than usual, given the strains of the pandemic,” Commissioner Karn Stiegelmeier said. “This October, our community is shining the spotlight on resources available to help people work through conflicts in ways that produce satisfying, long-lasting results for all parties.”

Conflict Resolution Month is a statewide initiative that builds awareness of practices such as arbitration, mediation, restorative justice and non-violent communication, helping Coloradans deal constructively with conflict. Locally, a diverse coalition of organizations has come together to advance conflict resolution.

The Conflict Resolution Coalition of Summit County was organized in September 2014 to expand awareness of conflict resolution programs and services in the area. The coalition has more than 40 members, including attorneys, juvenile diversion professionals, the Keystone Policy Center, Summit School District, law enforcement agencies, Summit County Library, the faith community, social services administrators and others.

The coalition has organized a number of events that will take place locally throughout the month:

• Month of October: An exhibit titled “Talking It Out: Getting to Agreement” will be on display at the Breckenridge Recreation Center and the Summit County Justice Center. The exhibit illustrates stories of individuals and communities in Colorado who have resolved conflict constructively.
• Month of October: Next Page Books & Nosh will feature the 2020 book selection for Conflict Resolution Month in Colorado, "We Need to Talk," by Celeste Headlee, author and public radio host. Other books related to conflict resolution will be on display.
• Month of October: Each branch of the Summit County Library will display a resource table devoted to enhancing conflict resolution skills at home, in the workplace and the community. Materials will be provided for all ages.
• 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 8: The Lake Dillon Theatre Company will host a fun, family-friendly online discussion about how theater lends itself to building the skills needed to resolve conflicts in a healthy, productive way. Animated movie clips will illustrate conflicts and how to approach them. Email RSVP@LakeDillonTheatre.org.
• 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15: The Conflict Resolution Coalition and Advocates for Victims of Assault will host an online discussion of communication challenges, as presented in the 2020 Conflict Resolution Month book, "We Need to Talk," by Celeste Headlee. The online event will include a Ted Talk by the author, a panel discussion of local experts and participant group discussions in virtual breakout rooms. Email info@summitadvocates.org.
• 6 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 22: "What’s New in Law Enforcement?" Summit County law enforcement is moving forward in significant ways to lower the incidence and severity of community conflict. One program pairs mental health professionals with law enforcement personnel on relevant calls; another provides for safe storage of firearms upon request. An online panel discussion will include representatives from local law enforcement agencies and community members who have benefitted from the programs. Email shannonh@townofbreckenridge.com.
• 10:30-11:45 a.m., Tuesday, Oct. 27: "Coping with Bias in Mediation." This session covers biases built into our brains, as well as those learned from family and cultural norms. Offered by the ADR/Bar Association Annual Conference, paid registration required to participate. Email  bmoore@cobar.org or call 303-824-5335.

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