Colorado representative Elizabeth Velasco gives CMC Civics students a tour of the capital.
Governor Jared Polis visits the Spring Valley Campus and talks with current students and a CEPA student about civic engagement.
Governor Jared Polis poses with students at the Spring Valley Campus.
Partner With the CMC Center for Civics Education & Engagement
Collaborate on Civic Learning. Strengthen Democracy. Inspire Colorado’s Future Leaders.
The Colorado Mountain College Center for Civics Education & Engagement welcomes partnerships with community organizations, museums, government agencies, nonprofits, educational partners, and civic institutions that share our commitment to highquality, nonpartisan civic education.
Through the federally funded grant, CMC supports collaborative projects that help students deepen their understanding of American history, democratic institutions, and civic participation. We invite partners who want to create meaningful learning experiences that connect students to realworld civic life.
Why Civic Engagement Matters at CMC
- Rural Civic Infrastructure: In many of our mountain and rural communities, CMC serves as a trusted civic convener and anchor institution.
- First-Generation Students: Civic learning builds confidence, voice, and leadership capacity for students navigating higher education and public systems for the first time.
- Bilingual & Multilingual Communities: Our commitment to inclusive, bilingual programming ensures civic participation reflects the linguistic and cultural diversity of our service area.
- Place-Based Impact: Civic engagement connects classroom learning to local issues, strengthening community problem-solving and democratic participation.
- Dialogue Across Difference: In politically and geographically diverse communities, CMC can model respectful discourse rooted in evidence, constitutional principles, and shared civic responsibility.
What We Are Looking for in Community Partners
We collaborate with organizations that can help CMC students:
- Learn about American history, democracy, and civic systems
- Build civic knowledge, skills, and leadership capacity
- Engage thoughtfully with public processes and institutions
- Connect classroom learning to the real work of democracy
All partnerships must be nonpartisan, educational, and aligned with federal grant guidelines.
Eligible Partnership Activities
External organizations may partner with CMC on activities such as:
Civic Education Events
- Public lectures, panel discussions, or forums
- Programs focused on civics, American history, public leadership, or democratic participation
- Constitution Day or government themed community events
All events must be educational, impartial, non-partisan and clearly tied to civic learning outcomes.
Student Civic Engagement Opportunities
- Leadership workshops or student government skillbuilding
- Interactive civic learning programs
- Experiential learning (tours, historical site visits, observation of civic processes)
Activities must include structured educational components, such as agendas, learning objectives, or reflection.
Collaborative Partnerships
We welcome collaboration with:
- Museums, archives, and historical societies
- Libraries and educational institutions
- Civic organizations and community groups
- Historians, scholars, and practitioners
Partnerships must include clear roles, deliverables, and a shared commitment to nonpartisan civic education.
Workshops, Seminars & Learning Supports (Non-Curricular)
- Skillbuilding sessions in civic literacy or leadership
- Cocurricular programming connected to democratic engagement
Research, Evaluation & Planning
Activities that assess civic learning
Projects that help CMC strengthen civic engagement initiatives
Allowable Costs (If Supported by the Grant)
Partnered projects may be eligible for funding that covers:
- Speaker or facilitator honoraria
- Contracted services (evaluation, facilitation, educational support)
- Travel connected to civic learning experiences
- Educational supplies or materials
- Program or facility fees
All costs must meet federal guidelines—reasonable, necessary, documented, and incurred during the grant period.
Activities That Cannot Be Funded
- Partisan political activity or lobbying
- Advocacy intended to influence elections or legislation
- Entertainment or social events without educational purpose
- General professional development unrelated to civics
- Promotional items, swag, or giveaways
- Any expenses incurred before formal approval
Partnerships must be strictly educational and nonpartisan.
National Affiliations
