CMC to sell Forster Academic Center property in Buena Vista
Buena Vista, Colo. — Colorado Mountain College will put its Chaffee County Forster Academic Center and surrounding property in Buena Vista up for sale following an extensive review of the long-term financial and operational sustainability of the location.
The decision comes after more than a decade of financial and operational challenges at the Buena Vista location, which sits outside CMC’s taxing district and has limited recurring revenue to support its operation. Changes to state-funded programs and service boundaries have further reduced resources available to support the site.
“CMC is deeply grateful to the many people who helped envision, build and support the Forster Academic Center over the past two decades,” said CMC President Matt Gianneschi. “This was a difficult decision, but we have a responsibility to steward college and community resources in ways that best support students and educational access across Chaffee County and throughout the communities we serve.”
The Forster Academic Center was created through significant community generosity. In 2004, the late Ron Southard and Carole Perrin donated approximately 38 acres to Colorado Mountain College to establish an educational presence in Chaffee County. Under the leadership of the late Charlie Forster, community members subsequently raised funds to construct the academic center.
Since then, the center has hosted CMC courses and programs, provided classroom space for the Buena Vista School District and served as an educational location for early childhood, arts and other community uses.
CMC held a community meeting at the Forster Academic Center in March 2025 to discuss the location’s challenges and potential paths forward. College leaders subsequently reviewed and investigated options proposed by community members. Those efforts did not identify significant changes that would make continued operation of the campus financially sustainable.
In partnership with the Southard family, CMC plans to honor the educational purpose of the original gift by dedicating $300,000 from the proceeds of the sale to establish the Ron Southard Chaffee County Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship will primarily benefit Buena Vista residents attending Colorado Mountain College, with second priority given to other Chaffee County residents.
The remaining proceeds from the sale will remain dedicated to serving Chaffee County. In addition to establishing the endowed scholarship, CMC plans to invest proceeds in its Salida campus, where the college is expanding its facility and educational offerings to provide additional programs and opportunities for students and the broader community.
“Ron Southard, Carole Perrin, Charlie Forster and many others in this community believed deeply in expanding educational opportunities for the people of Chaffee County,” Gianneschi said. “That commitment will continue through scholarships for local students and investments in our Salida campus that will allow CMC to serve even more Chaffee County residents in the years ahead.”
Additional information about the property and sale process will be available as the property is listed.