Frequently Asked Questions about CMC

Colorado Mountain College is a dual-mission public institution with a wide range of specialized certificates, 2-year programs and bachelor’s degree programs. We have full articulation/transfer agreements with all other 4-year colleges in Colorado. Learn more about our transfer agreements.

Yes! High school students are eligible for enrollment. We recommend that you consult with your high school counselor or CMC counselor to determine which courses are best for you. Generally this means choosing from specialized, college preparation and freshman level core curriculum courses.

The college was founded in 1965, with classes beginning in 1967.

CMC offers many different programs, ranging from one-semester certificate programs to two-year transferable associate degrees and bachelor’s degrees. Go to Programs to search through all our options.

Student-to-teacher ratio is 12:1, and the average class size is around 15, never over 25 students.

The number of students attending annually is 14,000. 

Average full-time student: 24 years of age.

Average age of all students (full- and part-time): 25 years of age.

93% of students are from Colorado.

31% of students are the first in their family to attend college (first generation).

CMC’s Latinx enrollment has doubled in ten years to 27%, qualifying CMC as a federally-designated Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Our college is located across 7,500 square miles in the north-central area of Colorado. We have 11 campuses and sites in eight Colorado counties, including Chaffee, Eagle, Fremont, Garfield, Lake, Pitkin, Routt, Summit. Our residential campuses are located in Glenwood Springs, Steamboat Springs and Leadville. Check out our District Map.

CMC’s collegewide completion rates are in line with or slightly above the national average. Learn about awards that CMC has received for excellence in student success.

We offer a varsity-level ski team at our Steamboat Springs campus. The ski team participates in the Rocky Mountain Conference.

We also have a Cross Country Team based at CMC Leadville. Students at other campuses are welcome to join and train locally.

We also offer beautiful soccer fields at our Spring Valley campus and have a competitive running club at the Leadville campus.

Visit CMC Athletics at CMCEagles.com

See the Average Costs of Attendance at CMC

Some programs like the AA and AS degrees are designed to transfer to 4-year colleges within Colorado. Other programs that are designed to get you hired in an occupation are not designed to transfer, but we have formed some specific transfer agreements with colleges to accept those credits. If you plan to transfer out of state, we recommend that you meet with your advisor to start working with the other institution to guarantee a smooth and complete transfer of your course work.

See Transfer to CMC for more information.

There are a wide range of online classes offered at CMC as web courses or interactive video courses. They typically run the same length as a semester long course.

Web courses give you the ultimate flexibility in accessing course information and communicating with your instructor over the internet.

Interactive Video courses put you in touch with other students and an instructor via real-time, interactive video links.

You can receive a complete associate degree in Associate of Arts, Associate of General Studies, Early Childhood Education, and Paralegal online.Learn more about Online Learning.

Special Populations: Colorado Mountain College is committed to providing access to everyone with the ability to benefit from a program of higher education. We empower students to take responsibility for their education.

Services are available to meet your special needs and assist you in meeting your educational goals. These accommodations may include instructional support such as note taking, oral testing, proofing of written work, interpreting, books on tape, tutoring, and extended testing time.

Special equipment may be provided upon request.

To qualify for services, documentation of the disability is required prior to enrollment. With these accommodations, students are required to meet the academic standards of the college. Check out Access, Inclusion, and Disability Services.

Our goal is to assist students in all aspects of your career development from the time students enter CMC through graduation. All CMC students are welcome and encouraged to utilize our no-cost Career Services.

Of the 27 major ski resorts in Colorado, 13 are in our district and near our campuses. Which is closest depends on the campus.

The Leadville campus is within an hour drive of 8 ski resorts including Ski Cooper, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Vail, and others.

Our Breckenridge, Vail, and Aspen campuses are just minutes from the base of Breckenridge, Vail Resort, Buttermilk and Ajax, respectively.

Steamboat Springs Campus is about 10 minutes from Steamboat Resort, and Spring Valley Campus in Glenwood is about 15 minutes from Ski Sunlight and 45 minutes from all of the Aspen ski areas and Vail Resort.

The ski team is located at the Steamboat Springs Campus. The team only competes in Alpine Ski Racing and does not include snowboarding.

Visit CMC Athletics at CMCEagles.com

You can buy CMC merchandise online through the CMC Campus Store and at any of our three residential campus bookstores, located in Steamboat Springs, Leadville, and Glenwood Springs. All stores have a unique and continually evolving selection of clothing, supplies, and accessories.