Colorado Mountain College Day Proclamation

Text version.

State of Colorado Proclamation

WHEREAS, Colorado Mountain College was founded on November 2, 1965 and classes began on October 2, 1967 after local visionaries and voters of six counties approved the creation of a local college district-by a two-to-one margin-because they so deeply valued the contributions that postsecondary options would have for their beloved mountain communities; and

WHEREAS, founders of the College worked tirelessly to establish a taxing district across five initial counties, including persuading local companies, civic organizations, chambers of commerce, and residents of the importance of offering higher education to remote mountain locations in our state; and

WHEREAS, the two original campuses were built simultaneously in Leadville and Glenwood Springs with modular buildings transported from Denver. Colorado Mountain College today serves students and communities in 11 locations in nine counties spanning 12, 000 square miles; and

WHEREAS, degree and program offerings have grown significantly from 22 associates and certificates in the early years to current offerings which include over 120 degrees and certificates, including five bachelor degree programs; and

WHEREAS, over the past 50 years, the College has served an estimated 500,000 students through its degree programs, community instruction, corporate training, and high school options; and

WHEREAS, partnering with local school districts through concurrent enrollment and the Mountain Futures Fund leverages public and private funding to ensure that every local high school student has the opportunity for a college education, including a scholarship to the college; and

WHEREAS, the College serves as a regional economic driver with $65.4 million in economic output and $46.2 million in earnings created by 1,178 fulltime equivalent jobs in the nine county region; and

WHEREAS, college graduates include firefighters, police officers, first responders, Fulbright Scholars, teachers, NASA researchers, nurses, Pulitzer Prize winners, welders, Olympic medalists, graphic designers, and countless other leaders in our community;

Therefore, I, John W Hickenlooper, Governor of the entire State of Colorado, do hereby proclaim, forever after, October 2, 2017, as

COLORADO MOUNTAIN COLLEGE DAY

In the State of Colorado.

 

GIVEN under my hand and the Executive Seal of the State of Colorado, this twenty-third day of March, 2017

John W. Hickenlooper
Governor