Otero County Offers Free Workforce Resilience Workshops for First Responders, Employees and Community Members

Description: Otero County will host free Workforce Resilience Program workshops May 20, 2026, at Otero College in La Junta, covering resilient mindset skills and conflict management for first responders, county employees, partner organizations and community members.

COMMUNITY & FIRST RESPONDER

Workshops

Workforce Resilience Program

May 20, 2026 | Otero College - Rizzuto Banquet Room

Otero County is pleased to offer two in-person, instructor-led workshops focused on resilience and healthy relationships. These interactive sessions are designed for those who support families, organizations, and communities - often while navigating high-stress and demanding environments.

Who should attend:

Otero County employees (all departments)

First responders (law enforcement, fire, EMS, dispatch, emergency management)

Partner organizations and interested community members

Workshops are offered on two different days and times. Participants are welcome to attend one or both sessions. No cost to attend. | Advance registration required.

The Resilient Mindset: Building Strength in Adversity

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

8:30 am - 11:30 am

Otero College, Student Center -

Rizzuto Banquet Room

Conflict Management for Home & Work Relationships

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

12:30 pm - 3:30 pm

Otero College, Student Center -

Rizzuto Banquet Room

Registration:

To register for one or both workshops, please complete the short online registration form at: https://forms.office.com/r/dnfZ3cCeji

Questions?

Please call 719-383-3000.

This project is being supported, in whole or in part, by federal award number SLFRF0126 awarded to the State of Colorado by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. The Workforce Resilience Program (WRP) Grant is being administered by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the Colorado Community College System (CCCS).

The Resilient Mindset: Building Strength in Adversity

Session Overview

In the face of life's challenges and setbacks, resilience is the key to thriving. This course delves into the psychology and practical strategies behind cultivating a resilient mindset to navigate through difficulties with grace and determination. Through a combination of theoretical frameworks and mindfulness exercises, students will explore the components of resilience, including adaptability, optimism, self-efficacy, and perseverance. By the end of the course, students will not only understand the importance of resilience but also develop practical skills to bounce back stronger from adversity, manage stress effectively, and maintain a positive outlook in both personal and professional realms. Whether facing setbacks in academics, careers, relationships, or personal goals, this course equips students with the tools to cultivate resilience and thrive in the face of adversity.

Conflict Management for Home and Work Relationships

Session Overview

Take a stroll down the self-help aisle in any bookstore, and you will find a vast array of books discussing the importance of knowing and taking care of yourself before attempting to develop close relationships with others. Without going through the process of self-discovery, and exploration, experts say a typical person will have difficulty in cultivating and maintaining, healthy relationships both at home and at work. The first session creates an opportunity for self-discovery, while also allowing participants to learn about, and better understand others. Moving into communication, which is a universal part of every human relationship; however, not all communications are productive or beneficial. The last two sessions help participants approach relationships with skills that increase their capacity to effectively express their needs, feelings, and frustrations. A common relationship myth is that the presence of conflict signifies an unhealthy relationship. Healthy relationships are not determined by the absence of conflict, but rather by people’s ability to productively respond to it. Participants will engage with effective tools for navigating conflict in helpful ways, instead of hurtful. This course is for anyone interested or involved in a relationship. All sessions are done with a trauma-informed, culturally competent facilitator who knows the dynamic of a law enforcement relationship because he lives it.

Speaker Biography - Darrell Aulston

Darrell Aulston is an Executive Law Enforcement Professional with over 22 years of experience. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nebraska at Kearney while working for the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office as a detention officer. Darrell Aulston is currently a Captain with the Colorado State Patrol, has 14 years of leadership experience, and is a spouse of a former Crime Scene Investigator. Darrell’s previous roles include training, investigations, and first and second-level leadership. Darrell is now the Wellness Director for the Colorado State Patrol and is a master facilitator for the Center of Relationship Education and Resilient Minds on the Front Lines. Darrell is married to his wife Kali and lives in Denver with their son Riggs.

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