Leah Elkins

“I grew up kayaking on the east coast, but I didn’t have the skills I needed to be a kayak guide until Colorado Mountain College’s outdoor courses. My kayaking instructors, Pete Huber and Kent Clement, have so much experience and patience. They taught me about risk management, leadership, self-rescuing and I felt comfortable learning at my own pace.”

Leah Elkins, sea kayak guide for San Juan Kayak Expeditions for the upcoming summer season of 2019.

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Steven Rizzo

“The ORL program prepared me for what I’m doing now by giving me the skills and knowledge to competently run my own outfitter. The most valuable part of the program was its flexibility, which allows students to choose their own areas of expertise and not just one set program path. If you love the outdoors in all four seasons, then ORL is the place for you.”

Steven Rizzo is co-owner of a whitewater outfitter in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, on the Menominee River. Read more: Steven Rizzo

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Ryan McCulley

“Ryan McCulley was great to work with and provided expertise that was imperative for the implementation of our guide and outfitter process. I will highly recommend this program to other Forest Service administrators…throughout the state. We were able to hire Ryan as a seasonal employee… I feel comfortable giving him any project and know he will do just fine.” -Kathryn D. Hardy, District Ranger, Pike/San Isabel National Forest

Ryan McCulley works with the Pike San Isabel National Forest Service Read more: Ryan McCulley

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Brett Menter

Brett Menter, a CMC Outdoor Recreation Leadership grad, is in Alaska learning hands-on from Majestic Heli Ski.

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Eric Crosby, Michael Elges, Ryan Edwards

Through CMC’s ORL program, Edwards saysI learned the judgment and the technical skills to help guide me on my path.”

Ryan Edwards earned an AA in Outdoor Recreation Leadership at CMC Leadville. In 2015, Edwards and fellow CMC graduates Eric Crosby and Michael Elges climbed several major Alaskan peaks including to raise funds and awareness for Paradox Sports, a Colorado-based non-profit that raises awareness of physical disabilities. Read more: Eric Crosby, Michael Elges, Ryan Edwards

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