The National Ski Areas Association and Colorado Mountain College have partnered to deliver online educational opportunities for lift mechanics employed at NSAA member resorts across the country.

CMC and NSAA partner to provide online lift maintenance education for resort communities

Colorado Mountain College and the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) are providing free, online education for lift mechanics who wish to expand their skillsets and supplement existing educational opportunities.

Each of the ten online courses are designed to be completed by individual lift mechanics, allowing them to learn at their own pace and select topics that they need the most. Topics covered include basic rigging, AC motor basics, hydraulic diagrams, diagrams and blueprints and more.

The online curriculum is available to NSAA members and their employees at resorts across the country. As of late September, CMC and NSAA have provided online training to 119 domestic and international ski areas.

NSAA thanks presenting sponsor Leitner-Poma and partnership sponsors Doppelmayr and the Rocky Mountain Lift Association.

For more information and to register for the CMC/NSAA lift maintenance program, please visit https://nsaa.org/lifteducation.

If you are not an employee of a NSAA member ski area, CMC offers a wide variety of certificates and degrees including ski area operations and ski and snowboard business. Learn more at https://coloradomtn.edu.

The CMC men’s cross-country team huddles together by the starting line just moments before the start of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Cross-Country Open on Oct. 8.

CMC Eagles cross-country team competes in Colorado Springs

Runners put forth strong effort against NCAA powerhouses

The Colorado Mountain College Eagles traveled to Colorado Springs on Oct. 8 to compete in the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs Cross-Country Open.

Jason Macaluso of Vail was the first runner to cross the finish line for the Eagles in the men’s 8k race with a time of 29:15. Kaylynn Shaffer of Salida was the lead runner for the college in the women’s race, running a time of 27:29 over the 6k course.

In team results, the men’s team placed 6^th and the women’s team finished in 7^th place.

Head coach Darren Brungardt said the CMC Eagles competed well against several NCAA Division I, II and III powerhouses such as the United States Air Force Academy, Colorado State University and Wyoming University.

“The course was long, slow and all on soft wet grass, but the Eagles were tough as nails,” Brungardt said. “We are so proud of their efforts and are looking forward to more racing later this month.”

Next up on the schedule for the CMC Eagles will be the NJCAA Region IX Championship at Central Wyoming College on Oct. 30. For more information on the team, visit https://cmceagles.com.

Meet Results for CMC Runners

Men’s 8k Results

47th Jason Macaluso (Vail, Colorado) 29:15

61st Reese Fledderjohn (Grand Junction, Colorado) 30:46

62nd Christian Brenny (Hastings, Minnesota) 31:03

66th Autry Lomahongva (Kayenta, Arizona) 31:42

68th Adam Garcia (Erie, Colorado) 32:02

69th Luke Plummer (Seymour, Indiana) 32:06

73rd Dylan Dunbar (Silt, Colorado) 35:18

Women’s 6k Results

39th Kaylynn Shaffer (Salida, Colorado) 27:29

59th Abby Hagen (Lockport, Illinois) 30:23

62nd Hope Maldonado (Colorado Springs, Colorado) 31:34

63rd Madisen Johnson (Windsor, Colorado) 31:46

66th Carmen Tallbear-Edmunds (Charlottesville, Virginia) 34:14

Por Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser

La resistencia, las agallas y la obstinada determinación nos definen. Ganarse la vida en el remoto oeste de Colorado nunca ha sido fácil ni está garantizado. Aunque tenemos la suerte y el privilegio de vivir aquí, hace falta un auténtico amor por el lugar para soportar las dificultades comunes a nuestra región–escasez de viviendas asequibles, grandes interrupciones del transporte, incendios, inundaciones, ventiscas, sequías y ahora un virus.

Los retos inherentes a nuestra querida parte del mundo nos obligan a innovar y adaptarnos, a imaginar con ingenio nuevas estrategias y a abrir nuevos caminos. Al hacerlo, también profundizamos nuestro compromiso con nuestras comunidades y con los demás.

En mayo, poco después de la graduación de una de las clases más numerosas de la historia del CMC, parecía que la niebla de la pandemia se disipaba. La esperanza era omnipresente y aparentemente palpable. Las vacunas milagrosas estaban disponibles en abundancia incluso en comunidades rurales como la nuestra. En consecuencia, se levantaron las órdenes de salud pública, se quitaron las máscaras, volvieron los abrazos y los choques de manos y los turistas –muchos, muchos turistas– llegaron a nuestras ciudades turísticas.

Con cierta confianza en que lo peor había quedado atrás, el equipo del Colorado Mountain College hizo una promesa a nuestros estudiantes y comunidades tras uno de los años más extraños y difíciles: el CMC estará completamente abierto en el otoño de 2021.

Durante gran parte del verano, esta promesa parecía asegurada; empezamos a prepararnos para un curso de otoño "normal". Programamos el mantenimiento necesario de las residencias, contratamos a la mayor cohorte de nuevos profesores de los últimos tiempos, pusimos en marcha nuevos programas de grado y adaptamos nuestras aulas a la configuración anterior a la pandemia. Los estudiantes respondieron, las inscripciones se recuperaron y nuestras operaciones volvieron a funcionar con un zumbido entusiasta y anticipado.

Sin embargo, en las últimas semanas, nuestros planes llenos de esperanza se vieron interrumpidos como los deslaves que cerraron la I-70 a través del Cañón Glenwood. El virus mutó y regresó con fuerza, sobre todo entre las poblaciones no protegidas por una vacuna desarrollada por algunos de los mejores científicos que el mundo ha conocido. Siempre supimos que un acontecimiento así era posible. Habíamos visto las señales y escuchado las advertencias, pero esperábamos que todo estuviera BIEN.

No todo está BIEN, todavía.

El resurgimiento puede ser una "pandemia de los no vacunados", pero es de hecho una situación real para la universidad y nuestras comunidades. Aunque agotados por los últimos 18 meses, todos en el CMC nos estamos adaptando de nuevo para garantizar que los estudiantes puedan volver al campus y evitar los trastornos derivados de un resurgimiento del virus.

Hicimos una promesa.

Y, porque cumplimos nuestras promesas, estamos haciendo ajustes en tiempo real para lanzar un semestre de otoño seguro y exitoso. A partir del primer día de clases, exigiremos el uso de mascarillas en todos los edificios y aulas del CMC. Esperamos que este requisito sea temporal, ya que nuestra universidad parte de una posición de fuerza. Casi el 90% de nuestro profesorado y personal ha sido vacunado, lo que supone una tasa de vacunación más alta que en muchas de las comunidades a las que sirve el CMC.

Al exigir inicialmente el uso de mascarillas, esperamos evitar la transmisión de la variante Delta, altamente contagiosa, y cumplir nuestro compromiso de ofrecer un entorno educativo seguro. Si las condiciones de salud pública mejoran y los índices de vacunación aumentan, reevaluaremos nuestro procedimiento de mascarillas. Si empeoran, también nos adaptaremos a esas realidades. En cualquier caso, no renunciaremos a nuestros alumnos ni a nuestras comunidades.

También es importante recordar que Colorado Mountain College es una institución de inscripción abierta. Acogemos a todos y no rechazamos a ninguno. Mantener este nivel de acceso es una parte importante de la misión y los valores del colegio.

Estamos más que emocionados de dar la bienvenida a miles de estudiantes de vuelta a los campus del CMC para el trimestre de otoño 2021. No veremos sus sonrisas al principio, pero sabemos lo mucho que significa para estos estudiantes volver a un entorno "normal".

A todos los miembros de las comunidades del CMC, y en nombre de los valientes profesores y personal y de los ansiosos estudiantes que comienzan o continúan su carrera académica, gracias por apoyar a su universidad local. Por favor, ayúdennos a empezar este año de forma ordenada, con gracia, humildad y amabilidad.

La elección personal también conlleva la obligación de considerar y cuidar a los demás. En última instancia, volveremos a la "normalidad" en su sentido más amplio. Hasta entonces, mantendremos nuestra promesa. El CMC está abierto al público.

Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser es Presidente y Director General de Colorado Mountain College. Se puede contactar con él escribiendo al correo president@coloradomtn.edu o a @CMCPresident.

Colorado Mountain College President & CEO Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. October 2020

By Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser

Resilience, grit and stubborn determination define us. Carving out a living in remote western Colorado has never been easy or guaranteed. While we are lucky and privileged to live here, it takes a genuine love of place to withstand the hardships common to our region—scant affordable housing, major transit disruptions, fires, floods, blizzards, drought and now a virus.

The challenges inherent to our beloved part of the world force us to innovate and adapt, to resourcefully imagine new strategies and blaze new trails. In doing so, they also deepen our commitment to our communities and to one another.

In May, shortly after graduating one of the largest classes in CMC’s history, it seemed that the fog of the pandemic was lifting. Hope was pervasive and seemingly palpable. Miracle vaccines were abundantly available even in rural communities like ours. Consequently, public health orders were lifted, masks came off, hugs and high-fives returned and tourists—many, many tourists—poured into our resort towns.

With some confidence that the worst was behind us, the team at Colorado Mountain College made a promise to our students and communities following one of the strangest and most challenging years ever: CMC will be fully open in fall 2021.

For much of the summer, this promise seemed assured; we began preparing for a “normal” fall term. We scheduled needed maintenance to residence halls, hired the largest cohort of new faculty in recent memory, launched new degree programs and adjusted our classrooms back to pre-pandemic settings. Students responded. Enrollments rebounded and our operations again hummed along with an excited, anticipatory buzz.

In recent weeks, however, our hope-filled plans were disrupted like the mudslides that closed I-70 through Glenwood Canyon. The virus mutated and returned in force, most acutely among populations unprotected by a vaccine developed by some of the greatest scientists the world has ever known. We always knew such an event was possible. We’d seen the signs and heard the warnings, but hoped all would be OK.

It’s not all OK, yet.

The resurgence may be a “pandemic of the unvaccinated,” but it is indeed a real situation for the college and our communities. Though exhausted from the past 18 months, all of us at CMC are again adapting to ensure that students can return to campus and avoid disruption resulting from a viral resurgence.

We made a promise.

And, because we keep our promises, we are making real-time adjustments to launch a safe and successful fall semester. Starting the first day of classes, we will require the wearing of masks in all CMC buildings and classrooms. We hope this requirement will be temporary, as our college is starting from a position of strength. Nearly 90% of our faculty and staff have been vaccinated, which is a higher vaccination rate than in many of the communities CMC serves.

By requiring masks initially, we hope to prevent the transmission of the highly contagious Delta variant and deliver on our commitment to provide a safe educational environment. If public health conditions improve and vaccination rates increase, we will reevaluate our masking procedure. If they worsen, we will adapt to those realities as well. Either way, we will not give up on our students or our communities.

It is also important to remember that Colorado Mountain College is an open-enrollment institution. We welcome all and turn away none. Maintaining this level of access is an important part of the college’s mission and values.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome thousands of students back to CMC campuses for the fall 2021 term. We won’t see their smiles at first, but we know how much it means for these students to return to a “normal” environment.

To all of the members of CMC’s communities, and on behalf of the courageous faculty and staff and eager students starting or continuing their academic careers, thank you for supporting your local college. Please help us start this year in an orderly way, with grace, humility and kindness.

Personal choice also comes with an obligation to consider and care for others. Ultimately, we will get back to “normal” in its fullest meaning. Until then, we will keep our promise to you. CMC is open for business.

Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser is President & CEO of Colorado Mountain College. She can be reached at president@coloradomtn.edu or @CMCPresident.

CMC President Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser accomplished an incredible feat early Friday morning summiting Mount Rainier with CMC faculty member Dr. Jon Kedrowski, who recently summited Mount Everest for the second time. Hauser is an avid outdoorswoman; she has summited Mount Kilimanjaro, climbed to Mount Everest base camp and is nearing completion of Colorado’s 58 highest peaks (14ers).

Colorado Mountain College announces housing initiative, approves budget

On June 22, the Colorado Mountain College Board of Trustees announced a $40 million housing initiative that will bring apartment-style student housing to four of its campuses.

CMC campuses in Breckenridge, Edwards at Vail Valley, Spring Valley at Glenwood Springs and Steamboat Springs are each slated for 38 units (with approximately 50-60 beds) of on-campus housing with the potential to add units in the future. These campuses were selected based on anticipated student demand, escalating housing scarcity in these high-cost mountain resort communities and the availability of CMC-owned land in these locations.

The plan for the new apartments is based, in part, on CMC’s experiences with a similar residential project for students adjacent to its Breckenridge campus. New

apartments will be designed primarily for upper-division students who reside and work in mountain communities year-round and are finishing their degrees.

Plans call for a variety of one bedroom and studio apartments. Residents will sign 12-month leases and reside on campus year-round. Rent prices will be offered at an attainable price point, likely 10% to 15% below market rates.

“Local housing is becoming out of reach for CMC students, who are often working and contributing to our local mountain communities and economies,” noted CMC President Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. “The pandemic has made this challenge even more acute,” she added.

“Our goal is to provide affordable housing that allows CMC students to focus on their studies, graduate and be qualified for good jobs in our communities,” Hauser said.

Challenges related to affordable housing

Lack of affordable housing affects many aspects of the college experience. Though Colorado Mountain College maintains very affordable tuition and fees, housing is the single largest part of a student’s college costs.

“It’s so important to keep the pathways to higher education barrier free in our communities,” said Chris Romer, CMC trustee for Eagle County who is also president and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership. “That pipeline from high school to college to careers is central to a healthy economy. We can’t continue to lose the best and the brightest because they can’t afford to live here.”

CMC students are often essential members of the local workforce. So, investments in year-round housing can help solve multiple community and regional needs. Adding to the inventory of student housing can relieve pressure on an already scarce and high-cost housing market, which helps people get a firm footing in the community to stay longer term. The college continues to consider and discuss housing solutions in other locations where it has campuses.

Timeline and partnerships

The board approved the issuance of $40 million in debt for the housing initiative at its May meeting. The college was able to qualify for financing due to low interest rates and its favorable Aa3 rating from Moody’s.

The college hopes to complete construction by June 2023 and open for leasing prior to the fall 2023 semester, while continuing to create avenues to address local housing challenges.

“CMC is exploring potential partnership opportunities and keeping a close eye on state and federal grant and stimulus programs,” explained Hauser. “If we can leverage our projects to provide additional relief to the housing crises in our communities, we will consider it.”

Other board actions

At the final meeting of the 2020-21 fiscal year, CMC trustees passed a balanced operating budget of $76.4 million, with an expected 2.93% increase in expenditures compared to the current year. The budget includes a 3% cost-of-living increase for employees, aligned with the anticipated rate of inflation.

Finally, the board approved President Carrie Besnette Hauser’s 2021-22 goals, which serve as the collegewide workplan for the upcoming year and extended her contract through 2024-25.