Chaffee County, CO- SAFER TOGETHER is a program offered by Chaffee County Public Health (CCPH) that combines practical physical self-defense training with skills to recognize and de-escalate conflict.  Instruction is provided with Nonviolent Communication (NVC) training from Patricia LaTaille, a certified mediator and NVC practitioner, and Josh Lobeck, a  martial arts/ self-defense instructor. The course is 

focused on personal safety and empowerment, while managing to defuse stressful conflict and potentially threatening situations.

SAFER TOGETHER is a six-week course, beginning March 26  through April 30 and will be held on Thursday nights from 5:45  to 8:15 PM upstairs at the Presbyterian Church in Salida. To register, email  or visit Chaffee County Public Health’s website https://chaffeecounty.org/departments/public_health/.  CCPH is offering scholarships if the registration fee is a barrier to attending.  This program was made possible due to generous donations by supportive community members.

SAFER TOGETHER is specifically designed to support women, minorities, and vulnerable community members (LBGTQ+), transgender, and other community members of all races and religious backgrounds, ages 18 and up, who express unease in regard to personal safety. Emotional needs and support will be addressed by in-class group discussions and providing access to education and resources – available from community organizations representatives from The Alliance, Full Circle Restorative Justice, Partnership for Community Action, and Chaffee County Public Health. 

In the previous pilot class, 60% (6/10) of respondents had NO level of awareness of local resources/orgs for self-defense and de-escalation skills before the training…

After attending SAFER TOGETHER,  100% of respondents claimed to be Aware to Very aware.

A Participant shared: “Part of my participation in this program was fueled by my desire to get better connected to the Salida community… [and] learning about [this organization] and the role of the

community was inspiring.”

For questions, please contact Chaffee County Public Health at 719-539-4510 or email .