Colorado Mountain College Foundation receives $1.5 million challenge gift

graduates pose with Paul Bushong at CMC Spring Valley

Colorado Mountain College graduates Keanan Bell, left, and Wendy Avila Figueroa, right, flank donor Paul Bushong at the Spring Valley commencement ceremony on May 8. Both students are recipients of the Fast Forward Scholarship created by Bushong. Bell completed her Associate of Applied Science in Veterinary Technology in May, while Avila Figueroa earned her Associate of Science in Paralegal last December.

Carbondale resident Paul Bushong pledged $1.5 million as a challenge match for other donors to join him in supporting the renovation of CMC Spring Valley’s student center and the addition of a new 4,000 square-foot nursing education facility.

“The Promise of Spring Valley,” is a $5 million capital campaign launched in 2018. In August 2019, the campus opened the new J. Robert Young Alpine Ascent Center, a 16,000-square foot student services hub, named after Alpine Bank founder Bob Young for his generous support of CMC.

Later that year, the Spring Valley campus also opened the Outdoor Leadership Center and Field House, another addition made possible by the campaign.

‘Local support is important’

A resident of the Roaring Fork Valley since 1999, Bushong’s interest in education and CMC began in 2018 with the establishment of a scholarship at the CMC Foundation, the nonprofit support partner of Colorado Mountain College. The Fast Forward Scholarship at CMC supports “those students who’ve fallen through the cracks,” Bushong explained.

Award criteria for the scholarship is based on need, rather than academic performance, and targets local high school graduates as well as nontraditional students pursuing technical certificates and direct-to-work degrees such as nursing, veterinary technician and paralegal. To date, the Fast Forward Scholarship at CMC has awarded 29 students with over $100,000.

“Local support is important to me,” Bushong said. “I want to support students so they can earn a degree or certificate and stay in the community and participate in their local economy.”

When Bushong learned about the need to help fund a new nursing simulation lab and finish the renovations for Spring Valley’s student center, he was eager to jumpstart the campaign.

“Everybody has places to put their money but CMC is a special place,” said Bushong. “Their cost of tuition is a real bargain, and I continue to be surprised and impressed with the job they do.”

A lab for nursing students

The nursing simulation lab proposed for the Spring Valley campus will create a six-bed training and education facility with four high-fidelity simulation rooms and two practice simulation rooms. A 3,000 square-foot nursing simulation lab at the college’s Steamboat Springs campus is nearing completion and an additional lab is planned for CMC Breckenridge by 2023.

The investment in simulation laboratories allows students to complete 50% of clinical hours via simulation at CMC campuses. This will enable the nursing program to offer the highest quality educational experience in the most efficient manner.

“We are tremendously honored to have Mr. Bushong offer to match gifts up to $1.5 million with his generous pledge in support of the Spring Valley campaign,” said Kristin Heath Colon, CMC Foundation CEO. “He continues to champion the value and quality of CMC and with his gift, hopes others will join him in supporting our local gem of a college and the future workforce for our communities.”

CMC’s nursing simulation lab campaign is a state-approved Enterprise Zone Program project, qualifying eligible donors with a potential additional income tax credit of up to 25%. For more information about donating, contact the CMC Foundation at 970-947-8378 or visit https://coloradomtn.edu/promise.

Madeline Pierce won the 2021 Colorado Ski Country USA Double Diamond Award for Snowmaker of the Year. Photo from Copper Mountain Resort

Madeline Pierce won the 2021 Colorado Ski Country USA Double Diamond Award for Snowmaker of the Year. Photo from Copper Mountain Resort

CMC alumna wins Snowmaker of the Year award

By Antonio Olivero, Summit Daily News

Despite her youth, Madeline Pierce’s passion and dedication for snowmaking helped the 22-year-old Copper Mountain Resort snowmaker win the 2021 Colorado Ski Country Double Diamond Snowmaker of the Year award.

“I’m honored, and I’m really excited, and I think it’s very special because as snowmakers, being behind the scenes, we don’t receive a lot of recognition,” Pierce said.

A native of the tiny town of Piseco in the heart of New York’s Adirondack State Park, Pierce has been drawn to snowmaking since, at the age of 11, she saw the craft for the first time at Oak Mountain Ski Center in Speculator, New York.

It was at Oak Mountain’s family-friendly, 650-vertical drop ski hill where Pierce learned how to ski before working her first volunteer job as a pre-teen helping children put on their ski boots. Just a few years later, she was a part of the ski area’s snowmaking team running and operating snow guns on a property Pierce said was a fiftieth the size of Copper Mountain. But it was a start.

On the recommendation of Oak Mountain owners Matt and Laura O’Brien, Pierce made the move out to Copper to study ski area management and operations at Colorado Mountain College Leadville. Pierce didn’t expect to be signed on to work as a snowmaker at Copper at 18, but she was, thanks in part to her unique snowmaking experience at Oak Mountain. Read more

1000 Words: Air Force cadets boat, climb, bike and backpack at CMC Leadville

student float on kayak down river

At the Stone Bridge put-in on the Arkansas River, cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy and CMC outdoor faculty get ready for a run to Salida. Photo by Carrie Click

This summer, 90 academy juniors and seniors are participating in the college's intensive outdoor leadership development program

Throughout this summer, cadets from the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs are heading for the mountains to advance their teamwork skills, emotional and social intelligence - all while perfecting their abilities to roll a kayak, rock climb, mountain bike and backpack. Called the Outdoor Leader Development Program, the partnership combines a seasoned group of Colorado Mountain College outdoor educators with leadership from the academy's Center for Character and Leadership Development. Cadets are immersed in multi-week stints in and around CMC's Leadville campus, whether kayaking on the Arkansas River, summiting Mount Elbert, or mountain biking and climbing outside Buena Vista.

Aerial of the CMC Leadville Campus

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.

CMC Aspen opens 'Shared Earth' gallery exhibit

Reception June 17 to feature over 50 ceramic artists from Colorado's Western Slope

ceramic artwork with earth tones and geometric shapes

"Nest" by ceramic artist Julie Anderson.

Colorado Mountain College Aspen will host an opening reception on June 17 for “Shared Earth: Ceramics of the Western Slope of Colorado,” an exhibit featuring the work of over 50 regional artists.

This inclusive exhibition focuses on artists who live on the western side of Colorado’s Continental Divide including Grand Junction, Rifle, the Roaring Fork Valley, Aspen and beyond. Showcased are all levels of makers whose primary medium is clay. Among the artists featured are Andre Wille, Dianne Kenney, Doug Rhinehart and Yan Kong, among many others.

“In a time when the world seems divided, let us find a common ground, celebrate community and our shared passion for clay,” said K Rhynus Cesark, CMC Aspen Gallery director, associate art professor and the exhibit’s curator.

“Shared Earth” will open with a reception from 3-7 p.m. on June 17. Admission is free, and the public is welcome and encouraged to attend. The exhibit will remain at the campus through Sept. 3. Gallery hours vary, so plan your visit by calling ahead.

For more information, contact CMC Aspen at 970-925-7740, asgallery@coloradomtn.edu. More at https://coloradomtn.edu.

Chris Castilian

Chris Castilian has been named a strategic advisor for Colorado Mountain College’s outdoor industry programs. Photo by Evan Semón

Colorado Mountain College puts renewed focus on outdoor industry programs

New strategic advisor to help lead CMC into an era of innovation and inclusivity

Chris Castilian has joined Colorado Mountain College as a strategic advisor to better position the college as a premier educational partner in the outdoor industry.

Castilian has long been a staple in Colorado’s outdoor industry bringing 20 years of experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors. He recently announced his departure from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) after serving four years as executive director.

Prior to leading GOCO, Castilian was appointed by Governor John Hickenlooper to the Colorado Parks & Wildlife Commission, serving as chair in 2015-16. In previous roles, he was deputy chief of staff to Governor Bill Owens and served as executive director of Colorado Counties, Inc.

In addition to and complementary to his new role with CMC, Castilian will become the CEO of the National Ski Patrol on July 12.

“It is such a timely and exciting occasion to welcome Chris to the team at Colorado Mountain College,” said CMC President & CEO Dr. Carrie Besnette Hauser. “His experience, breadth of relationships and creative thinking will push the college to work even more effectively with employers to better prepare our students to become the outdoor industry leaders of tomorrow.”

Castilian’s scope of work includes coordinating CMC’s various outdoor-industry related programs across multiple campuses and a large geographic region. He will work to better align CMC’s academic and training pathways to provide students with meaningful short-term (internships, apprenticeships, etc.) and long-term (career) placements.

“My charge is to amplify the amazing work the college is already doing in Colorado’s mountain communities,” explained Castilian. “CMC was an early leader in outdoor education and has decades of experience not only on the academic side of learning but how important it is to provide practical, affordable and relevant education and training. Frankly, it’s the breath of fresh air Colorado’s economy needs right now.”

In his new strategic advisory role, Castilian will also assist CMC leadership on developing strategies that seek to diversify the outdoor industry workforce pipeline and serve as a model for access, equity and inclusion.

“Having been involved in the outdoor industry for many years, it’s great to see CMC take outdoor industry workforce training to the next level and add someone with Chris’ depth of experience to the team,” said Len Zanni, co-owner at Big Agnes, based in Steamboat Springs.

“I’ve interacted with Chris in various ways over the years and it’s clear that he has his finger on the pulse of the outdoor industry, conservation, public lands stewardship and equitable recreation here in Colorado. We’re excited to see where CMC takes its revitalized leadership approach in the coming years.”

Nathan Fey, director of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office called Castilian “an unashamed ambassador” of Colorado and all of its residents.” He added Castilian is best situated to advance CMC through strong partnerships, a practiced eye towards policy and legislation, and a commitment to civic engagement.

"Chris brings to CMC a depth of experience and personal passion within the outdoor industry, as well as an impressive career that has centered around supporting businesses and communities across Colorado,” said Fey. “This is exactly what is needed to strategically position CMC as the institutional leader in meeting the real needs of our outdoor economy.”

Castilian is a fourth-generation Coloradan, and is an avid outdoor enthusiast.  He has completed the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike race eleven times and several other ultra-endurance mountain bike races, including the Breck Epic.

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