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| 2026 Colorado Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative SessionJune 20-27, 2026 Colorado State University Fort Collins, CO, USA |
Since 1982, students from over 20 states and four Latin American nations have convened to play this leadership game of vision, influence and power management. Personal growth, self-awareness, and mindset often undergo tremendous change through the LDZ experience; Students grow to envision themselves as both change-makers and game-changers as the leaders of today.
What is the Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session?
An eight-day intensive leadership experience filled with unexpected and unplanned challenges and hurdles, the LDZ is an opportunity for young people to learn how to create, manage, and navigate large organizations. During this journey, students practice a broad array of competencies including public speaking, policy writing, and constituency development. Students stay on college campuses longer, get assigned roommates they have never met before, and are expected to time-manage themselves in learning environments that begin at 6 a.m. and last until nightfall. The LDZ is by far the most consequential learning experience of NHI and the most popular in the nation, bar none.
recommended candidates & Requirements
Who should apply: | When you apply:
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LDZ Tuition & Information
What Does Tuition Cover?
- Eight days on a college campus in dorms
- A full meal plan
- Private access to training areas
- Excursion in host city
- Private College Fair with Colleges and Universities accross the Country
- Staff-student ratio of 1:15
- Supplies and materials
- Commemorative program T-shirt
- Certificate of participation
- Highly motivating curriculum
NHI Membership
Students who complete the LDZ are granted full NHI membership — including access to future leadership programs, volunteer opportunities, and faculty development — as long as they remain in good standing.
2025 Tuition & Fees
- Application Fee: $25 (non-refundable)
- LDZ Deposit: $150 (non-refundable)
- LDZ Tuition: $1,150 (balance after deposit) ** LDZ Tuition may change for summer 2026.
- Payment plans
- Sponsorships
- Online fundraising
- Community grants
Payment & Support
Upon official acceptance, a $150 deposit secures your student’s spot. Families manage tuition in a variety of ways:
NHI will provide a payment schedule upon acceptance and works with each family individually to ensure a smooth process.
Where Leaders Are Forged, Not Found
Navigate complexity, embrace uncertainty, and take ownership of your impact—but real leadership is more than just rising to the moment. It’s about learning to build systems, mobilize people, and influence decisions that shape entire communities. Through intense debate, unexpected challenges, and hard-earned breakthroughs, you’ll discover your voice and the power of collective vision. The bonds you form through shared responsibility and sleepless nights become a lifelong network of leadership, growth, and purpose.
 | ABOUT COLORADO STATE UniversityCSU is located in Fort Collins, a midsize city at the base of the Rocky Mountains, less than an hour north of Denver. Colorado State, also known as CSU, offers more than 150 degrees in eight colleges, with graduate programs in the schools of business, engineering and education and the renowned College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. CSU is considered one of the leading research universities, and faculty and students work together to explore fields such as atmospheric science, infectious diseases, clean energy technologies and environmental science. Outside the classroom and research lab, students can get involved with the more than 350 campus organizations, including about 35 fraternities and sororities. Student athletes can find sports at the recreational, club and varsity level, with the CSU mascot and colors reflecting the school's past. CSU began as an agricultural school, so the sports teams were called the Aggies and their colors were green and gold to represent farming. The school held onto the colors, but the more than 15 varsity sports teams are now called the Rams. They compete in the NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference. The Colorado LDZ was originally established as a project of university admissions under the leadership of former Vice President for Enrollment Mary Ontiveros. The program transitioned to the Access Center in 2009 when Mary became Vice President for Diversity. Mary was honored in 2008 with NHI’s Hall of Fame award for long-lasting impact on the work of the institute and she annually visits the program and engages the students. By utilizing effective practices, the Access Center provides quality services to communities, individuals and institutions resulting in student success and exemplary programs guided by an ethic of community and project accountability. In 2025, NHI celebrated 35 years with CSU. |
If it's Meant to Be... It's Up to Me.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Want more information about the LDZ and our other locations?
Click here to visit our Main LDZ Page.
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