CMC Graduate posed with their family.
Kathy Flores, center, walks with her fellow graduates during the CMC Breckenridge and Dillon commencement ceremony.
A Latina CMC students gets a hug after her commencement ceremony.
Español / Institución al servicio de los hispanos
A Proud Hispanic-Serving Institution
Elevando comunidades. Fortaleciendo futuros.
Colorado Mountain College is proud to be federally recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI)—a designation we earned through years of intentional outreach, inclusive programming, and deep community partnerships. Today, nearly 40% of our students identify as Hispanic or Latino, and that number continues to grow as we expand access to affordable, high-quality education across the Western Slope.
An intentional effort
CMC’s federal HSI designation reflects a long-standing commitment to Latino students and families.
Long before the designation, the college invested in outreach and programming that laid the foundation for today’s success. This reflects CMC’s enduring commitment to serving its local communities. It was this deliberate effort over many years that ultimately led to CMC’s official recognition as an HSI.
Student success
On nearly every metric over the past decade, Latino student performance improved and stubborn gaps in retention and completion finally closed. Latino students now have some of the highest completion rates at the college.
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Graduation rates are rising. In just a few years, the percentage of Latino students graduating from CMC has nearly doubled—from 11% in 2020 to 19% in 2024.
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Equity in outcomes. Latino students graduate at the same rate as all students at CMC—a powerful sign that opportunity and support are reaching everyone.
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Completions have surged. CMC has awarded degrees and certificates to more than 1,500 Latino students in just the past four years—as many as in the entire previous decade combined.
Building Trust Through Action
Over the past two years, CMC has connected with more than 4,000 individuals through a dynamic array of outreach events, consulate collaborations, advertising campaigns, and culturally relevant programming. Here’s how we’re building community—one relationship at a time.
Signature Community Events
Our campuses host vibrant celebrations and informative gatherings that welcome local families and honor Latino culture:
- Posadas at Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs campuses featuring food, music, and holiday traditions.
- Sabores Académicos in Leadville brought tacos, games, and college resources to a mobile home community—sharing more than 1,000 tacos with families right where they live.
- Celebrando La Herencia Hispana at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards and Día de Campo at CMC Salida united campus staff with local leaders, alumni, and families to share success stories and campus tours.
Reaching Communities Where They Are
CMC is a consistent partner at mobile consulate events—providing information about college access, financial aid, and career pathways in both English and Spanish. In just the last year, our outreach teams supported over 4,200 attendees at consulate visits across the region:
- Mexican mobile consulate events at CMC Vail Valley at Edwards, Glenwood Springs, Spring Valley, Breckenridge, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen (soon Salida)
- Salvadoran and Guatemalan mobile consulate events at CMC Carbondale and Glenwood Springs
Spotlight on Latino Voices
From student interviews to news segments, we’re helping more families see themselves in higher education. Our bilingual media outreach included:
- Monthly segments on TV8, El Sol del Valle, and Vida Latina
- Interviews on Univision, La Tricolor, and Conexion Latina
- Featured alumni stories—from DACA recipients to first responders—showing how CMC grads are reshaping local economies and giving back to their communities
Cultural Storytelling & Campaigns
In 2024, we launched several culturally inspired campaigns:
- A corrido (traditional Mexican ballad) written and produced to highlight the power of higher education
- A bilingual marketing series featuring alumni encouraging Latino families to explore financial aid and college options
- A campaign tailored to Latino fathers and sons, using familiar workplace language to emphasize the value of education for long-term security
Always Moving Forward
As Colorado’s first Dual Mission college, CMC is proud to serve learners across generations—whether you’re the first in your family to go to college or returning to finish what you started. Our work as an HSI goes far beyond a federal designation. It’s a daily commitment to equity, access, and belonging.
Colorado Mountain College Corrido
About This Corrido: Celebrating Culture and Opportunity at CMC
This corrido—a traditional Mexican narrative song—was created to honor the experiences, resilience, and aspirations of Latino students at Colorado Mountain College. Rooted in cultural pride and storytelling, the corrido highlights the journey of students who pursue higher education while navigating the challenges of immigration, identity, and opportunity.
Through music and lyrics, this piece celebrates the transformative power of education and the supportive community found at CMC. It serves as both a tribute and an invitation—encouraging others to dream big, stay connected to their roots, and take bold steps toward a brighter future.