Purpose Hour

A monthly gathering where bold ideas meet community insight to spark inspiring conversations and civic action for Colorado’s future.

May Purpose Hour

Leading in Times of Political Polarization

We are in a time of challenging polarization in our country. Civic leaders, business professionals, and citizens alike find it difficult to make progress on initiatives because they are navigating divisive semantics and intense ideologies. The social fabric in our communities seems to be tearing. 

We need to ask ourselves: How can we disagree better and find a way forward together? 

Join us for a timely discussion with Dr. Katy Anthes on strategies to increase collaboration and decrease polarization. Keeping our systems in a place of productive, healthy conflict is an important ingredient for progress across all sectors.

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This Month's Featured Speaker

Kathy Anthes, PhD

Director of the FORWARD Initiative

Dr. Anthes is the former Commissioner at the Colorado Department of Education (2016-2023) where she became widely respected for her commitment to listen to diverse perspectives and her legacy of developing solutions that are founded on productive middle ground. Currently Dr. Anthes serves as the Director of the FORWARD Initiative at the Public Business & Education Coalition (PEBC). Dr. Anthes also received the 2024 Colorado Governor's Citizenship Medal for Public and Community Service and is a national expert on polarization.

Event Details & Schedule

Event Details

‍Date:
Thursday, May 7, 2026

Location:

ENT Credit Union,
11550 Ent Parkway
Colorado Springs, CO 80921

Schedule

4:00-4:45 p.m.           Connection & Conversation
4:45-6:00 p.m.           Speaker Program

6:00-7:00 p.m.           Connection & Conversation

Appetizers and drinks will be served throughout the evening.

Join us for Purpose Hour in March

March 5th, 3:30 - 6:30pm @ Club CiviCO

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About Purpose Hour

A monthly event where conversation meets impact.

Each Purpose Hour brings together Coloradans for thought-provoking dialogue on the complex issues facing our communities. Through featured speakers or panels (ranging from grassroots leaders to systems thinkers) we dive into what’s working and what’s possible for Colorado. These aren’t lectures, they’re a launching pad for building community, creating connections, and inspiring civic action.

Purpose Hour is a space to listen deeply, ask questions, and explore new perspectives. Come for the insights, stay for the community, and together we’ll creating space for shared learning and purpose-driven action that builds a better Colorado.

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Local News as Essential "Civic Infrastructure"

"The central question then is, what can each of us do to ensure that local news remains the essential civic infrastructure and successfully fulfills that promise because it’s not going to be solved in the newsroom alone. We need newsrooms and board rooms and classrooms and living rooms and rooms like this. So let’s get to it."

Fixing the System Where It Breaks, Led by Lived Experience

At our February 2026 Purpose Hour, Elevated Denver and Omni explored how meaningful systems change happens when we shift decision-making power to people with lived experience, and learn in real time to fix where systems consistently fail.

Sponsors & Partners

We are grateful to the organizations whose support makes each Purpose Hour possible.