CMC fire science students entering a burning building.

Automotive Service Technology class at Glenwood Springs

CMC Spring Valley student apartment housing building.

Automotive Service Technology class at Glenwood Springs

Building Mountain Futures

A strong community isn’t something that simply happens — it’s something we build together.

Colorado Mountain College is committed to expanding student and workforce housing, strengthening the skilled trades, and supporting the first responders who safeguard our mountain towns. And we know that the fastest, most effective way to accelerate this work is through partnership. When local governments, employers, and educators pull in the same direction, we create stability, opportunity, and long-term prosperity for the people who call these mountains home.

Student & Workforce Housing

Skilled Trades & Technical Programs

First Responders & Fire Science

Student & Workforce Housing

CMC has become one of the region’s most consistent and forward-thinking developers of workforce and student housing, and our recent partnerships show how collaborative investment can create meaningful change.

Eagle County – 108 new units at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards

CMC Vail Valley at Edwards Campus Apartment Units.
CMC independently funded and constructed one 36-unit apartment building on our Edwards campus as part of our districtwide housing initiative. Recognizing the need for more local housing, Eagle County stepped in and funded a second and third apartment building, adding 66 additional units. Together, these three buildings now provide 102 units of much-needed, near-market-rate housing for students, employees, and local workers. It’s a model that demonstrates how joint investment can directly support the mountain workforce.

Eagle County – 108 new units at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards

CMC Vail Valley at Edwards Campus Apartment Units. CMC independently funded and constructed one 36-unit apartment building on our Edwards campus as part of our districtwide housing initiative. Recognizing the need for more local housing, Eagle County stepped in and funded a second and third apartment building, adding 66 additional units. Together, these three buildings now provide 102 units of much-needed, near-market-rate housing for students, employees, and local workers. It’s a model that demonstrates how joint investment can directly support the mountain workforce.

Breckenridge – Expanding a legacy of student and workforce housing

CMC Breckenridge Campus Apartment Units.  
CMC’s new 36-unit student apartment building in Breckenridge sits adjacent to the 30-unit Denison Commons, a project CMC pioneered years ago to address housing scarcity. This new building continues that legacy, expanding access to stable, attainable, year-round housing and supporting the workforce that keeps Summit County running.

Breckenridge – Expanding a legacy of student and workforce housing

CMC Breckenridge Campus Apartment Units. CMC’s new 36-unit student apartment building in Breckenridge sits adjacent to the 30-unit Denison Commons, a project CMC pioneered years ago to address housing scarcity. This new building continues that legacy, expanding access to stable, attainable, year-round housing and supporting the workforce that keeps Summit County running.

Basalt and beyond

Across the district, CMC has invested nearly $10 million in residential housing in communities such as Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and Steamboat Springs. These buildings are intentionally designed for long-term stability — 12-month leases, inclusive utilities, and a focus on students, staff, and local workers — all to support a resilient regional workforce.

Basalt and beyond

Across the district, CMC has invested nearly $10 million in residential housing in communities such as Basalt, Carbondale, Glenwood Springs, and Steamboat Springs. These buildings are intentionally designed for long-term stability — 12-month leases, inclusive utilities, and a focus on students, staff, and local workers — all to support a resilient regional workforce.

Skilled Trades & Technical Programs

CMC partners directly with employers, school districts, and industry leaders to create clear pathways into high-demand, good-wage jobs.

Automotive Technology — a new facility with the Roaring Fork School District

CMC students working on a car on a lift.
CMC and the Roaring Fork School District recently opened a new Automotive Technology Center in Glenwood Springs. High school students now train in an industry-standard shop environment, earning college credits while gaining hands-on skills in brakes, engines, electrical systems, diagnostics, and other core automotive competencies. The model is designed to meet the workforce needs of the Roaring Fork Valley while preparing students for immediate employment or continued college pathways.

Automotive Technology — a new facility with the Roaring Fork School District

CMC students working on a car on a lift. CMC and the Roaring Fork School District recently opened a new Automotive Technology Center in Glenwood Springs. High school students now train in an industry-standard shop environment, earning college credits while gaining hands-on skills in brakes, engines, electrical systems, diagnostics, and other core automotive competencies. The model is designed to meet the workforce needs of the Roaring Fork Valley while preparing students for immediate employment or continued college pathways.

HVAC training with RH Mechanical

CMC HVAC Instructor showcasing system testing.  
CMC’s partnership with RH Mechanical has become a regional example of employer-driven workforce development — so much so that it was featured on NPR’s Marketplace. The collaboration provides tailored HVAC training aligned directly with employer needs, helping local workers enter skilled trades that offer career stability and strong earning potential.CMC’s partnership with RH Mechanical has become a regional example of employer-driven workforce development — so much so that it was featured on NPR’s Marketplace. The collaboration provides tailored HVAC training aligned directly with employer needs, helping local workers enter skilled trades that offer career stability and strong earning potential.

HVAC training with RH Mechanical

CMC HVAC Instructor showcasing system testing. CMC’s partnership with RH Mechanical has become a regional example of employer-driven workforce development — so much so that it was featured on NPR’s Marketplace. The collaboration provides tailored HVAC training aligned directly with employer needs, helping local workers enter skilled trades that offer career stability and strong earning potential.CMC’s partnership with RH Mechanical has become a regional example of employer-driven workforce development — so much so that it was featured on NPR’s Marketplace. The collaboration provides tailored HVAC training aligned directly with employer needs, helping local workers enter skilled trades that offer career stability and strong earning potential.

First Responders & Fire Science

Technology program. Our training model relies on deep, hands-on partnerships with local fire departments, particularly in Carbondale and Leadville, where students train alongside working professionals.

Community Partnerships

Through formal agreements with these departments, CMC students have access to station facilities, apparatus, and specialized equipment — including the new burn tower at the Carbondale Fire Department. These partnerships immerse students in the environments, tools, and operational rhythms they will encounter as firefighters, ensuring realistic, high-caliber preparation.

A Dedicated Training Facility

Until CMC is able to build a dedicated training facility of our own, these collaborations remain essential to operating the program and to maintaining a strong, homegrown first-responder workforce throughout the high country.

First Responders & Fire Science

Technology program. Our training model relies on deep, hands-on partnerships with local fire departments, particularly in Carbondale and Leadville, where students train alongside working professionals.

Community Partnerships

Through formal agreements with these departments, CMC students have access to station facilities, apparatus, and specialized equipment — including the new burn tower at the Carbondale Fire Department. These partnerships immerse students in the environments, tools, and operational rhythms they will encounter as firefighters, ensuring realistic, high-caliber preparation.

A Dedicated Training Facility

Until CMC is able to build a dedicated training facility of our own, these collaborations remain essential to operating the program and to maintaining a strong, homegrown first-responder workforce throughout the high country.

Why partners choose CMC

Intentional design

Every project starts with real community needs and ends with long-term solutions

Economic impact

Housing, training, and first-responder education all create sustainable-wage jobs in our mountain economy.

Collaborative approach

We work alongside counties, municipalities, employers, and educators to build systems that last.

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