Today I’m offering you a chance to go back to college — Neighborhood University — and do the other things I mentioned: meet people, make important friends and learn ways to improve your life and those of your neighbors.

We are coming to a neighborhood near you to talk about how we can help you strengthen your neighborhood and inspire those around you to get involved in the issues facing your community.

We are coming to a neighborhood near you to talk about how we can help you strengthen your neighborhood and inspire those around you to get involved in the issues facing your community.

At public meetings, I’m often asked how I became passionate about neighborhoods and connecting communities. Until about six years ago, I really didn’t know much about neighborhood engagement or the public planning process.

Would you know who to call if the vacant lot near you suddenly became the site of a development project such as an apartment complex or fast food restaurant?

Would you know how to call your city council representative, county commissioner or planning department?

Do you know who your elected officials are or where to find them?

The name of this column says it all ... I believe with great passion that community matters.

And that’s why I’m so happy to be back at the Council of Neighbors and Organizations — you probably know us simply as CONO — doing the work I love: strengthening our community by building up neighborhoods across the Pikes Peak region by showing them how to work together