Sophie Tipper, passionate about environmental policy since middle school, joined the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) in July 2023. Noticing youth were absent from state environmental task

Sophie Tipper, passionate about environmental policy since middle school, joined the Colorado Youth Advisory Council (COYAC) in July 2023. Noticing youth were absent from state environmental task forces, she and Ashna Shah developed a policy memo recommending youth advisors for the Colorado Department of Public Health's Environmental Justice Board. This led to drafting SB25-055, a bill requiring two youth members on the board. Despite a sponsor's election defeat, Tipper secured new support, and the bill was introduced to the Colorado legislature in January 2025.

SB25-055 subsequently passed and was signed into law by Governor Jared Polis in May. Tipper, now drafting a plastic pollution bill, believes youth advocacy empowers young people to drive real policy change. She hopes to inspire similar youth-led environmental initiatives nationwide.