Enjoy the freedom TO FOCUS.
In today’s world, we’re constantly bombarded with distractions that pull us in a million different directions.
The flood of information. The buzz of notifications. The ping of group chats. And it’s not just phones that divert our attention. The traditional college schedule, where you’re taking up to six classes at once, makes it almost impossible to focus.
That’s why, at Colorado College, everything is designed to help you focus on the stuff that really matters. Imagine one class a day in which discussions, the relevance of the liberal arts, and applied knowledge all go deeper. And because you’re spending this focused time among just over 2,000 students on campus, relationships form faster and last longer, too. With the Block Plan giving you freedom to fully focus, you’ll have more success during your time in Colorado Springs — and wherever you go in life.
Emily Dwyer ’21 focuses on the sounds of the forest and stream near Crestone Trail as a part of a lesson on the effects people can have on nature if they focus on gratitude.
You’ll be amazed at what you can DO IN 3.5 WEEKS.
That’s the essence of the Block Plan, but it’s only the beginning of the story…
Instead of a typical semester, trimester, or quarter schedule — we have eight blocks a year. The Block Plan supercharges a semester’s worth of learning into 3.5 weeks to immerse you at a level traditional higher education structures can’t support. Our students take one class at a time, and our professors teach one class at a time. That means you can fully devote yourself to courses you’re interested in without ever being pulled in multiple directions. Each class (block) lasts 3.5 weeks and is followed by a 4.5-day break — the perfect amount of time to give your brain a well-deserved reset. Classes are capped at 25 students and are far more discussion-based than lecture-heavy, creating an atmosphere where conversations flow in surprising and intellectually delightful ways. Students typically have class in the mornings from 9 a.m. – noon, then spend the rest of the day learning and living on their own schedule. Afternoons at CC are lively with heated class discussions continuing over lunch at Rastall or The Preserve, labs, clubs, athletics, and spontaneous adventures in Colorado Springs.
See, the problem with everybody doing things the same way is that it breeds the same kind of thinkers. When we created the Block Plan over 50 years ago, just about every liberal arts college was doing things the same way. But we knew that people who think differently from everyone else would always have a place in the world. So, from our home in Colorado Springs, we created a system that changed the way people see liberal arts.
The Block Plan isn't just for academics — it is interwoven into the fabric of life at CC. It defines every aspect of your life at CC. It defines how you tell time, allows for meaningful social connections, and gives you space to try new things. Since the Block Plan is everything at CC, it’s also included on just about every page in this book. As you read, you’ll find a guide to help you understand “Tiger Talk” with relevant information about how the Block Plan influences your life at CC.
BLOCK BREAK: After each block comes a Block Break, which is a 4.5-day break in between classes. During this time, you’ll have no academic obligations (but that’s never deterred a CC student from their academic inclinations). This leaves you space to spend your days how you like — maybe join an Outdoor Education trip, volunteer for service projects, see a concert with friends in Denver, or do absolutely nothing at all.
THIS IS WHAT YOUR BLOCK PLAN COULD LOOK LIKE.
In Block 1, you could be off in the mountains taking core samples for GY150 Environmental Geology. Three and a half weeks later, you could be in a "standard" block like PY100 Introduction to Psychology — where instead of sitting in a lecture hall with 200 strangers, you’re handling human brains with 24 of your peers. Spice up your afternoons with optional adjunct courses that span topics (maybe you’ll try ASL, Jazz Piano, or Foundations of EMT) and last a few blocks, a semester, or a whole year.
as
You’re focused solely on one subject — living, breathing, and talking about it nonstop.
Students work
a group during Dr. Marion Hourdequin's Block 6 EV282 Contesting Climate Justice class where they debated climate policy.
THIS IS ONE YEAR.
Before you know it, you’ve mastered the 8 subjects you’ve channeled your energy into, and you’re able to connect the dots between them. You’re well on track to graduate in 4 years.
CC geology professors Drs. Sarah Schanz and Michelle Gevedon lead a research trip for ten students to CC's Baca Campus in Crestone, CO.
MAJORS, MINORS,
MAJORS
While we’re all about going deep into one thing at a time, it is possible to double major... just one of the many ways you can accomplish so much in a short amount of time.
Art
Asian Studies
Business, Economics, and Society (BESoc)
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Classics
Classics-English
Classics-History-Politics
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Economics
Education
English
Environmental Studies and Science
Feminist and Gender Studies
Film and Media Studies
French
Geology
German
Hispanic Studies
History
History-Philosophy
40% of our students are STEM majors.
Our Winter Ecology course highlights how snow-covered landscapes shape ecosystems.
History-Political Science
Independently Designed Major/IDM
International Political Economy
Italian
Mathematical
Economics
Mathematics
Molecular Biology
Music
Neuroscience
Organismal Biology and Ecology
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Race, Ethnicity, and Migration Studies
Religion
Russian and Eurasian Studies
Sociology
Southwest Studies
Theatre and Dance
Through Pizza Problems, a longstanding tradition in the CC Math Department, students can solve problems for free pizza.
“Diplomacy isn't just a theory — it's a skill.”
AND MUSINGS
DEPARTMENTAL MINORS
Anthropology
Art
Asian Studies
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chinese
Classics
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Education
English
Environmental Studies
Feminist and Gender Studies
French
German
History
Human Biology and Kinesiology
Italian
Japanese
Mathematics
Molecular Biology
Music
Philosophy
Physics
Political Science
Departmental Minors explore a subject you’re passionate about in-depth.
THEMATIC MINORS
Race, Ethnicity, and Migration Studies
Religion
Russian and Eurasian Studies
Spanish and Portuguese
Southwest Studies
Theatre and Dance
African-American Studies
African Studies
Arabic, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies
Book Studies
Contemporary French Studies
Cultural Studies
European Studies
Global Health
Indigenous Studies
Journalism
Latin American and Caribbean Studies
Linguistics
Medieval Studies
Mediterranean Studies
Museum Studies
Non-Violence
North American Studies
Performance Design
Psychoanalysis: Theories of the Unconscious
Renaissance Studies
Resource Systems in the American West
Revolutions
The Ancient World
The Luso-Brazilian Studies
Urban Studies
Security, Insecurity, and The Expanse, anyone?
Thematic Minors focus on examining topics from several disciplines, so you learn how to connect ideas across different perspectives.
“An endless unrehearsed intellectual adventure.”
– MICHAEL OAKESHOTT, British philosopher, CC’s 1975 Abbott Memorial Lecturer.
Huzzah!
Where llamas…
Ella Schuchard ’27 is the Director of Merchandise and Marketing for Llamapalooza, CC’s annual music and arts festival. In her role, she merges creativity with logistics, problemsolving, leadership, and a killer two-step. And she finds it incredibly rewarding to see her passions and hard work come together during the festival each spring. The skills she develops outside the classroom perfectly complement the scientific ones she masters inside it. Because at CC, the art of marketing and the art of chilling outside watching live music on Worner Quad (including seeing some performers you know personally) are equally important.
“Chuck is slow-moving, calm, and in his own way, thoughtful. He reminds me that it’s important to slow down and take time for myself on the fast-paced Block Plan.”
— ELLA SCHUCHARD ’27 HOMETOWN: COLORADO SPRINGS, CO
…coexist with pythons.
Ella is an Organismal Biology and Ecology (OBE) major — which means she loves animals, science, and anything with fangs. Her favorite part of her studies is Chuck. Who’s Chuck, you ask? He’s the ball python Ella takes care of and the unofficial mascot of the OBE department. Beyond her experiences caring for Chuck, she recently took an Ecology course with Dr. Jesús Peña. For one field trip, her class joined a Southwest Studies class for some fieldwork in Pueblo, CO, where they visited professor April Bojorquez’s art installation and cactus farm. Yes, you read that right — a cross between an art installation and cactus farm. There, they learned about the region’s indigenous history and the significance of the cholla cactus. The work on display was a visual manifestation of organic and eternal kinship, representing the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living things. Which sums up Ella’s experience at CC — a one-of-a-kind mashup where everything comes together beautifully.
Where else could you study abroad in BRAZIL & AZERBAIJAN & GREECE & COSTA RICA & ITALY & ELSEWHERE DURING YOUR FOUR YEARS?
At most colleges, study abroad means rearranging your whole semester. At CC, it’s built into the Block Plan — so you can go abroad for one block without missing a beat.
It’s the only thing you have to focus on in the moment. And our study abroad schedules typically follow a similar structure where you have the morning to go to class and the afternoon to explore and fully immerse yourself in the culture of wherever you are. We have 30+ faculty-led programs and 100+ additional options that are not on a block schedule and typically last an entire semester or year.
70% OF CC STUDENTS STUDY ABROAD AT LEAST ONCE.
You might enjoy studying Shakespeare in London in your first year before hightailing it to Azerbaijan for the UN Climate Change Conference in your second year. Or spending a block studying geology in Greece while your roommate’s on the other side of the Atlantic studying ecology in Costa Rica. Then crossing the Atlantic together to Italy in your fourth year, where you discuss psychological theories and empathy over many a late-night plate of pasta. We also have options that span multiple blocks — like “CC Chinese in Asia” where you study in Shanghai, Beijing, Taipei, and Hong Kong over the course of two blocks — and opportunities closer to home, too. Some students spend a block studying at the Newbury Library in Chicago. Others study sustainable economies at local farmers markets, or work at the Mexican border, or experience the variety of religious traditions of the American Southwest or even art and culture at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. That’s not even counting all that’s available to you right here in the Rocky Mountain West.
FIELD STUDY: When you’re only taking one class at a time, “classroom” can mean just about anywhere — an alpine forest, a city council meeting, an archeological dig. 100% of CC students experience field study.
COLORADO COLLE G E AZERBA IJAN
IT’S ALL ABOUT WHO YOU KNOW — LIKE REALLY, TRULY KNOW.
The Block Plan gives our faculty the exceptional opportunity to dive deep into a single subject with one group of students at a time, often taking them beyond the classroom for hands-on, real-world learning. What makes it special isn’t just the schedule — it’s the relationships. With an average class size of 16, professors teach while also learning about each student, starting with 3.5 weeks of seeing each other every day. They notice how you think, how your writing evolves, how you show up in class — and they remember. Here, writing a recommendation letter isn’t a formality; it’s a chance to tell your story in vivid detail. You simply can’t develop that kind of connection in a 200-person lecture hall.
A playground for professors. A launchpad for students.
Dr. Ryan Bañagale ’00 has authored multiple books and earned his doctorate from Harvard. However, some of his most impactful accomplishments are the innovative courses he has developed at CC. Here, he has the freedom to listen to what students are interested in learning about and then develop innovative courses for them.
He recently partnered with Mattel (yes, the toy company) to teach a Half Block about the toy-making process from concept through creation. That class was so successful that several students even received job offers from Mattel after graduating. Creative courses like these — that merge unexpected worlds, and are taught by professors who go all in on the subjects they love — embody the remarkable learning and learner that thrives within the Block Plan.
Below: Ryan Bañagale, Chair of Music at Colorado College and Director of the Crown Center for Teaching, sings and plays piano with a group of students he’s taught, either for their majors or minors, in the recording studio at Packard Hall. Iyanla Ayite ’25, Music major, at piano, and Connor Chen ’25, right, Business, Economics, and Society major.
“As someone who’s very invested in introducing students to the creative process, I want students to see industries, employers, and organizations that value creativity beyond CC. Some of the ways we think about creativity at CC are also happening at Mattel.”
— DR. RYAN BAÑAGALE ’00, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR AND CHAIR OF MUSIC
Less school work. MORE COOL WORK.
They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. That’s a bit of an exaggeration, but the core idea is true: when you do what you love, it doesn’t feel like work. In service of this aspiration, we provide students with chances to deep-dive into projects and help them land internships and jobs at companies they’ve always dreamed of working at. Nearly all of the research projects listed are funded by the Keller Family Venture Grants, about 100 students each year participate in Summer SCoRe (Student Collaborative Research), and the Career Center works with students to help them apply for internships. Our students are game for anything, especially when it means learning something unexpected along the way.
Kai Matthiasson ’23 and Emily Newhall ’26 worked hard to plant the garlic for the season at the Colorado College Farm.
RCU. Three letters that say a lot.
In 2025, we were one of only 36 liberal arts colleges to receive the Carnegie Foundation’s Research College and University designation. We secured $3.3 million in federal funding for 21 projects, which means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to conduct research in topics like lab sciences, medical research, environmental studies, humanities, and social sciences.
EXAMPLE RESEARCH PROJECTS
Pass the Gas: Mapping Galactic Winds from the LMC
Conservation in Belize: The Power of Effective
Scientific Communication
Narrative Ecofeminism and Women Whitewater
Kayaking on the Grand Canyon
Atmospheric Influences on the Juneau
Icefield Snowpack
Exploring “mono no aware” (物の哀れ) through
Film Photography in Japan
High Resolution Drone Imagery for Macrophyte
Mapping in Shallow Lakes
Profitable Street Eats: Analyzing Osaka’s Successful
Street Food Business Models
Flavors of the Himalayas: Exploring the sociocultural importance of Nepali Street Food
An Ethnographic Study On the Cultural Health and Wellness Practices of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (NHPI)
Exploring an Optimal Control Approach to
Renewable Resource Management
The Allure of Irish Romantic Poetry: A Creative Journey
Musical Identity: A Study of Anti-Colonial Gender Constructions In The Guna Community
Through Music
Passports to Pixels: Unraveling the Transformative Role of ICT in Workforce Migration
Algebra of Small Chemical Reaction Networks
Below, Left: Associate Professors Dr. Rachel Jabaily and Dr. Karolina Heyduk, along with students who are assisting with summer research, received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation to study how plants in the pineapple family respond to nitrogen.
Sierra Space
Canvas
United Nations
SiriusXM
Modern Intimacy
Homefullofclothes
Society for Menstrual Cycle Research
Charthouse Films
US District Court, District of Utah
Fairview Capital Group
Flying Pig Farm
Young Life Beyond Malibu
A cross-examination OF CROSS-LISTED COURSES.
Some of the best things can be abbreviated to “CC.” Like “Colorado College,” and also “cross-listed courses,” which are courses that transcend traditional academic disciplines and combine multiple areas of study to create something dynamic. CC has over 200 of these opportunities for students. Some of them take place at our campus, but many of them take place in different countries all over the world through study abroad. Cross-listed courses are an important part of a CC education because we believe that learning how to approach topics from multiple perspectives is key to developing your critical thinking skills.
After graduation, Skye Mahaffie ’15 went on to work professionally in production design, visual effects, and producing. She teaches FM210 Intro to Animation to share her direct knowledge of working in the industry with students.
Music x Religion: Music, the Supernatural, and
Otherworldly Realms
Taught by Dr. Liliana Carrizo
Explore the connection between music, sacred soundscapes, and spiritual perception.
Political Science x Film and Media Studies: Politics & Comedy
Taught by Dr. Scott Krzych & Dr. Elizabeth Coggins
Examine how comedy has shifted over time in ways that relate to similar shifts in ideology.
Environmental Studies x Philosophy x Italian Studies: Voice and the Non-Human
Taught by Dr. Amanda Minervini
Learn how people and animals are connected with a focus on the environment and feminism.
Race, Ethnicity, and Migration Studies x Asian Studies: Eating Asian America: Race and Food
Taught by Dr. Leland Tabares
Consume knowledge about authenticity, fusion, food colonialism, culinary tourism, and taste.
Classics x Geology: Rocks & Ruins: Catastrophic Geology, Archaeology, and Myth-Making
Taught by Dr. Henry Fricke & Dr. Sanjaya Thakur
Dive into the art, monuments, sites, and archaeology of the Ancient Greek World.
Left, Top: Drew Shippey ’21 calculates the direction of a rock formation. Visiting professor Dr. Tim Gibson led his Geology of the Pikes Peak Region class on a hike through Wide Eagle Trail in Cañon City to investigate rock types and learn the skill of measuring hits and strikes for rock formation.
Left, Middle: Dr. Elizabeth Coggins hosted a town hall-style meeting with Ohio Governor, former senator, and past presidential candidate John Kasich as a part of the Midterm Symposium. Coggins' students prepared questions that they were given the opportunity to ask Kasich.
Left, Bottom: Luca Zoeller ’26, a student in the Gender, Body, and Sound class taught by Dr. Liliana Carrizo, puts on a performance to encapsulate how gender and the body interact with the musical world.
The Block Plan changes how we look at everything.
We don’t just give you flexibility with your academics. Much like how the Block Plan gives you the opportunity to go deep in courses in ways you couldn’t anywhere else, campus life at CC is also like choosing your own adventure. Whatever you love to do, you’ll find a group of people who love it, too — whether that’s climbing at Garden of the Gods, hosting a student-run radio show on Sounds of Colorado College, researching climate science in the Rockies, or something else entirely. And since every student is on the exact same schedule, you and all of your friends will have plenty of time to eat together, study together, and hang out together. The Block Plan creates a sense of campus community no matter which class you’re taking.
you can scan the QR code to learn all about. Scan the QR code to see the full list of student organizations and clubs. coloradocollege.edu/studentorgs
Crooz (the full moon bike ride), Midnight Breakfast, Snow Day, Gold Pan, and so much more that
active in our vibrant athletics life and others join student organizations like Arts & Media for Social Change, Immigrant and Refugee Justice, and more. Many attend Llamapalooza, our signature campus concert that brings artists from around the world to campus and has nothing to do with llamas. And that’s only the beginning of our campus life traditions. There’s Champagne Showers,
The Block Plan doesn’t just help you focus on learning. It also helps you focus on living. Because of your daily schedule, where you take one class in the morning and have the afternoon open, you have freedom to do whatever you love. Some students participate in cultural and identitybased affinity groups like the Black Student Union. Others take part in Dance Workshop. Some are
Student life heavily focused on the word “life.”
Colorado College's Outdoor Education department held "Snow Day," an opportunity for students who are new to winter sports to spend a day learning to ski/snowboard.
This is when the MAGIC HAPPENS.
At most colleges, with classes that only last for about an hour or two, it’s very hard to get to a place where discussions flow.
Think about it. You spend the first 15 minutes or so settling in, then you’re in the zone for a little bit, then you start thinking about how class will be over soon and you can’t focus. By the time conversations start to flow, class is over and you have to wait a few days before you can pick up where you left off. With the Block Plan at CC, classes last for three hours. That may sound like a lot at first. But really, it’s necessary to get into a deeper discussion. With this amount of time, you push past the wall of surface-level conversation — and that’s when the magic happens.
Sophia Murphy ’27
“As someone who loves discussions, having three hours and not having to cut it off was a big deal for me.”
—SOPHIA MURPHY ’27
HOMETOWN: NEWTON CENTER, MA
WE WIN IT. WE DON’T JUST WEAR GOLD —
The Block Plan is proof that we can achieve a lot in small amounts of time, and that culture is carried through into athletics.
Here’s some of what our Tigers achieved in our historic 2024–25 season.
10 of our 17 NCAA sports were nationally ranked this year
Men’s Ice Hockey ranked in the top 20 for the entire regular season
4 NCAA tournament appearances
6 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) team championships
Several CC sports had record-setting performances during the 2024–25 season.
Women’s Cross Country finished 6th at nationals
Men’s Soccer ranked #3 in the country
Men’s Swim and Dive won their first-ever conference championship
Club Nordic Ski, Men’s Volleyball, Climbing, and Cycling all qualified for their respective national tournaments
Esports teams competed in League of Legends, Overwatch, and Super Smash Bros
70% of students participate in intramural sports
Championship culture (or "CC" if you will) exists at all levels of Tiger Athletics. We're one of only nine multidivisional colleges in the U.S. Beyond our varsity teams, our club teams rank nationally every year, winning championships in climbing, cycling, Esports, and more. Tigers are driven and strive for the best on and off the field of play.
MEN’S NCAA SPORTS
DIVISION III:
Basketball
Cross Country
Lacrosse
Soccer
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
DIVISION I:
Ice Hockey
(Ranked in the Top 20)
WOMEN’S NCAA SPORTS
DIVISION III:
Basketball
Cross Country
Lacrosse
Swimming & Diving
Tennis
Track & Field
Volleyball
DIVISION I:
Soccer (Competes in the Mountain West Conference)
Scan the QR code, or visit coloradocollege.edu/clubintra for a complete list of club and intramural sports.
At CC, we don’t cram — we focus. Our classes are fast-paced, immersive, and intense. Professors will push you to think deeply, write clearly, and ask better questions. And they’ll expect you to keep up. But here’s the catch: when you’re only taking one class at a time, you have the space to dig in, follow ideas wherever they lead, and actually breathe while doing it. We believe that kind of focus is powerful. Just imagine what you can accomplish when there’s space to finish what you start.
YOU CAN’T PAINT OUR STUDENTS WITH BROAD STROKES.
All of our students are creative, but none of them are creative in exactly the same way. Some excel in painting or drawing. Others in sculpting or pottery. Some have the voice of an angel. Some recite Shakespeare like a professional actor. Some were born to be under the bright lights in front of a big crowd. Others doodle alone to relieve stress. We have 10 musical ensembles (including a mariachi band), and you don’t have to be a Theatre major to be in a Theatre Department production. And even though we don’t all study the arts, we all express ourselves in one-of-a-kind and creative ways. (We even offer letterpressing, book-binding, and Clay Club, which is exactly what it sounds like.)
Where fine arts are way more than just “fine.”
The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center at Colorado College (FAC) is more than just a top cultural attraction of the Pikes Peak region. It’s also a place where CC students go to learn and be inspired. We’re the only liberal arts college connected to a professional theatre company, museum, and art school in one (and our students reap the benefits with free admission to the museum and free theatre tickets). Many courses are taught at the FAC, and it provides incredible creative opportunities for students. Museum Studies students can deep dive into collections-based research, and Art History students can learn about artworks through the FAC’s rotating exhibitions. And all students are welcome to explore the FAC’s permanent collection featuring some of the most celebrated work by indigenous and Latina/o artists.
Arts & crafts with a high level of craft.
The Arts and Crafts program at CC supports students from all areas of the College to explore, experiment, and engage with art and craft processes and histories. Students sculpt clay, carve wood, and print textiles, while learning techniques rooted in both tradition and innovation.
Leader on the court.
If there’s an organization at CC that promotes athletic leadership, Kennedy Andrews ’26 is probably already in it. Playing basketball for CC has helped him find his true purpose — to guide others spiritually, physically, and emotionally — which, for him, is just as fulfilling as the game itself. Through these experiences at CC, he has developed a leadership style rooted in empathy, dedication, and a commitment to uplifting those around him.
“It’s great to know that you have professors here who care about not only your grades — but you as a person.”
— KENNEDY ANDREWS ’26 | HOMETOWN: BEAUMONT, TX
Leader in the classroom.
Kennedy is on the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Academic Honor Roll and thriving on the Block Plan. Smaller classes mean real relationships with his professors — including one with Professor Lora Louise Broady ’83 in his favorite business course.
In that class, he met face-to-face with CEOs, consulted on real business challenges, and pitched solutions alongside his classmates. He’s now part of a network of alumni who are always down to talk with current students — and he’s building the kind of leadership experience that sticks with you long after graduation.
Kennedy grounds himself through spiritual life and community beyond the classroom.
Unique by background. UNITED BY VALUES.
While everyone on campus brings something unique to make CC feel like home, we all play by the same house rules. Our core values of Sustainability, Equity and Belonging, and Mental Health and Wellness aren’t just words that sound good. They’re the ideas and ideals that we live in practice every day. In everything we do, our values guide us forward.
Fer Juarez Duran ’23 and Fiona McLaughlin '24 show off their flair at CC Outdoor Ed's "Pride Outside" celebration.
82%
of departments offer courses related to sustainability.
Sustainability
We’ve been committed to sustainability since 2008, striving to be a model for economic, social, and environmental responsibility. Sustainability is baked into just about every aspect of life at CC. Our Office of Sustainability is making great leaps toward net zero carbon — we’re already there in Tutt Library and the rest of our campus is carbon neutral. And many student interns and volunteers drive sustainability initiatives forward across campus and beyond. For example, the CC Bike and Ski Cooperative provides members of the CC community with the tools to repair and refurbish bicycles before selling them at affordable prices during the annual bike sale.
Equity and Belonging
CC was founded on a commitment to providing equitable education to all races and genders. Our goal remains to continuously interrogate our past in order to evolve our future, anchored in the rich tradition of liberal arts. We understand that access to this education requires free academic inquiry and centers humanity and social responsibility. In 2019, CC became the first college in the country to formally commit to antiracist practices. This commitment centers how we approach all of our work and support across the College, ensuring that no one has a disparate experience because of their identity.
Mental Health and Wellness
The Butler Center
Educate. Advocate. Celebrate.
24/7
Telehealth mental health support for students.
College life can be overwhelming, and it’s easy to neglect your self-care during the ups and downs. That’s why we take a holistic approach to mental health. Our Wellness Resource Center offers a variety of options including direct support to students, referral to other campus resources, and workshops and programs to help you build coping skills and resiliency. And we give every student the individualized support they need to help get through whatever life throws at them.
New Student Orientation students hike through the
and enjoy
Thousands of feet above sea level.
THOUSANDS OF THINGS TO DO.
What do you love to do?
Are you an outdoorsy person? An indoorsy person? Both? Whatever it is that gets your adrenaline pumping, you’ll find friends who will drop everything to join you in skiing, photographing, hiking, crocheting, biking, crafting, camping, thrifting (and then mending to resell the clothes), kayaking, gaming, climbing, slacklining, stargazing, idea-bouncing, letterpress printing, Colorado Springs-ing, and whatever other “ing” you love to do.
beautiful sandstone formations
the views of Pikes Peak during a two-mile hike at Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark.
Colorado Springs rocks. Literally. Our campus is just a short walk or bike ride to downtown Colorado Springs, a 10-minute drive to Garden of the Gods, and an hour drive to Denver. Our nickname is Olympic City USA because high-performance athletes come here to train at high altitude. But the city also has thriving industries like cybersecurity, aerospace, and technology. And Colorado Springs is larger than you might think. In fact, more people live here than in Miami. (And we get more sun here, too.) We have a professional soccer team, a thriving art scene, dozens of independent coffee shops, great restaurants, festivals in the park, vintage and second-hand shopping, art walks, and so much more we’d love to tell you about but luckily for us there is an amazing Instagram account that does a much better job than we ever could: @visitcos
THE ZEB: No, Colorado Springs is not known for its zebras (although we do have zebras at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which is the country’s only zoo on a mountain). The ZEB, which stands for “Zero Emissions Bus,” is a free service to help you explore everything Downtown Colorado Springs. We also provide all students with a Mountain Metro Transit pass.
SCIENTIAET DISCIPLINA
Academics ELEVATED.
CC is one of the top liberal arts colleges in the world — and it’s not just because we’re located so high above sea level. Many of the brightest young minds come to CC because our academic environment in Colorado Springs gives you opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.
Dr. Jesús Peña teaches BE107 Biology of Microbes for a group of students who perform the Gram stain technique and use microscopy to learn about bacteria.
Going to the zoo isn’t monkey business.
Some people don’t go to the zoo to look at animals. They go to collect data. And those people are CC students enrolled in AN306 Primatology taught by Dr. Krista Fish ’97. In this research-driven class, students conduct behavioral research on primates at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Isn’t that wild?
Get class credit for stargazing.
Most classes at CC happen during the day. However, we do have at least one class with nighttime excursions. PC133 Astronomy, taught by Dr. Dhanesh Krishnarao and Dr. Catherine Witherspoon, takes place at our Baca campus, which is one of our two mountain campuses. The site is near the Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve and is designated as a DarkSky Place — perfect for stargazing due to its low light pollution. In the course, students work together to understand the immensity of the cosmos and how stars manufactured the elements that make up all of us. And they do it by staring at the night sky. And also, math. Lots of math. And for students who don’t take this specific class, we also have an on-campus observatory that provides a similar experience.
A taste of business strategy.
In BU315 Business Policy and Strategy course, taught by Dr. Celeste Diaz Ferraro, students partnered with two local social enterprises — Emerge Aquaponics and Dad’s Donuts — to see how mission-driven businesses operate in the real world. Through site visits, conversations with organizational leaders, and handson research, students explored how these small local businesses navigate the tension between social impact and financial stability. Then they applied strategic management theories to assess what works, and what could work better, all while thinking critically about what it means to run a values-based business.
Top: A naturalist at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center shares insights with CC students during field study led by associate professor Amanda Minervini.
Bottom: A CC student takes a closer look at the night sky during a skywatching party hosted by Dhanesh Krishnarao and Austin Hinkel for their Astronomy class.
Warm welcomes. EVEN IN THE WINTER.
The people at CC are some of the smartest, kindest people you’ll ever meet. You’ll feel the welcomeness radiating from our community the second you step foot on campus. There’s a reason almost any student and alum will tell you the first time they came to campus, they just knew this was the place for them. Since we’re a small school, you really get to know everybody, and because of the Block Plan, you get to spend your mornings with a new group of classmates every 3.5 weeks. And since we’re all connected for 3.5 weeks at a time during each block, there’s also a mutual feeling that we’re all in this together.
In the 2024–25 Academic Year, 60% of CC students engaged in community work, partnering with over 200 community organizations.
Where community meets service.
One of the key parts of our liberal arts philosophy is the idea of active citizenship, which is all about engaging in reciprocal and sustainable collaborations with local, regional, national, and global partners. That’s probably why CC students love to give back. Seriously, 80% of students engage in community service while they’re here. Our Collaborative for Community Engagement connects students with dozens of ways to get involved including the Public Interest Fellowship, CommunityBased Research, and Community-Based Learning. And students have volunteered with local organizations like Concrete Couch, Citizen Science, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado, Marian House, and hundreds more.
In a survey 15 years after graduation
83% of CC's class of 2008 reported involvement in community service or philanthropic endeavors.
Our environment is NOT A PRESSURE COOKER.
Pressure cookers are great for making soups. However, they’re not great as an academic environment. With how quickly things move on the Block Plan, we don’t have time to waste stressing about problems that could be solved with a little extra help. That’s why we promote balance and support students at every step of their journey. You get two advisors (one faculty and one professional staff advisor) to give you regular support throughout your four years. Advisors also help students plan for the future, whether it’s with career guidance or helping them with graduate school applications.
A student participates in a guided meditation offered in Shove Chapel, CC's interfaith chapel that also happens to be on the National Register of Historic Places.
Well, well, well. It’s time to talk about wellness.
We believe in supporting the whole person, not just your academic life, but your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being too. That means offering on-campus primary care and counseling, a modern fitness center with group classes and an athletic trainer, and peer-led workshops on topics like consent, relationships, and substance use. Our Chaplain’s Office is open to everyone, no matter your spiritual background, offering a space for reflection and connection. And our Campus Safety team is there with care, whether you’re locked out, need a safe ride, or find yourself in a tough situation and need help quickly. These resources help you stay well and focus on why you’re here: to learn, explore, and grow.
COLKET CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE: This is a place where students get support in math, science, writing, speaking, and language learning. And it’s also a place with a GIS Lab (Geographic Information Systems). In fact, Colket Center staff and peer tutors typically work with about 90% of the student population each year.
ALL ABOUT ADMISSION AND AID.
If you’re thinking about applying to CC, you probably have a million questions. It’s a good thing our admission team has a million answers. Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about CC.
Where do I apply?
Common App
Coalition powered by Scoir
QuestBridge
(We do not accept applications via carrier pigeons.)
When is my application due?
That depends. If you’re absolutely positively sure you want to come here, the deadline for binding Early Decision I is November 1. If you’re slightly less sure, the deadline for Early Action is also November 1. If you’re completely sure but missed the first chance to go all in, the deadline for binding Early Decision II is January 15. And our final deadline for Regular Action is also January 15
What goes into my CC application?
CC enrolls curious, accomplished students through a holistic review process that looks at the whole person, not just the numbers.
ADMISSION APPLICATION
SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY PROMPT
TRANSCRIPT(S), SCHOOL REPORT, & COUNSELOR EVALUATION
TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS
EARLY DECISION AGREEMENT (IF APPLICABLE)
Optional
STANDARDIZED TEST SCORES
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION
ART SUPPLEMENT
Scan the QR code or visit coloradocollege.edu/howtoapply for more information about each step.
Can you help me understand Financial Aid?
It’s no secret that college is one of the largest financial investments you’ll ever make. Luckily at CC, we’re pretty good at making complex things easy to understand — including financial aid. We’re proud to be one of only ~3% of institutions in the U.S. that meets the full demonstrated need for each student who applies for financial aid. And we invest over $60 million each year in scholarships and financial aid.
Scan the QR code to calculate your estimated net price.
Meet Primera Hour.
Primera is a double major in Race, Ethnicity & Migration Studies and Computer Science. She is the Coordinator for CC’s Esports program and has won first place in every Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament she has competed in. Throughout her time at CC, she traveled all over, including to Harvard University, where she won the HackHarvard hackathon. She credits CC and the intensity of the Block Plan for teaching her to adapt quickly and think critically — skills that came in handy for winning the hackathon.
Beyond her time in Colorado Springs, Primera also studied abroad in Berlin, where she focused on marginalized communities. One highlight of her experience was an underground bunker tour tied to the era of the Berlin Wall, which brought her coursework to life through direct engagement with history and place. She believes the abundance of opportunities at CC truly reflects the spirit of a liberal arts education. Through classes, travel, and student organizations, she’s developed a variety of important skills that will go with her wherever life takes her.
“The most applicable skill I brought from CC to the hackathon was being able to work under time pressure.”
– PRIMERA HOUR ’25 | HOMETOWN: LAWRENCEVILLE, GA
Life.
Aerial Silks
Valorant
Climbing
Singing
Wheel Throwing
Violin
Skills.
Adaptability
Computer Science
Problem
Solving
Creativity
Critical Thinking
Programming
Languages
In today’s job market, SOFT SKILLS GO HARD.
Just about every college does things the same way. They have the same semester-based schedule and the same course offerings, more or less. CC is different. We teach students critical thinking skills to set them up for whatever career they pursue.
88% of 2024 graduates are satisfied or extremely satisfied with the post-graduate outcome they secured*
90% of 2024 graduates are confident or extremely confident in their career readiness to secure employment and succeed at work*
FIND TIGERS AT:
Aflac
Amazon
Americorps
CNN
Dell Technologies
Denver Museum of Nature & Science
El Pomar Foundation
Epic
Goldcrest Films
JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory
Liberty Mutual Insurance
MetLife Investment Management
New Mexico Immigrant Law Center
Peace Corps
PwC
Sierra Nevada Corporation
SiriusXM
Trailhead Institute
Upstream Consulting
USA Hockey Development
Valley View Hospital
Walt Disney World
YMCA
90%
Scan the QR code or visit coloradocollege.edu/firstdestinations for more data on where CC alumni go after graduation.
*Outcomes data reflects results from Colorado College’s Class of 2024 First Destinations Survey, collected six months post-graduation, with knowledge of career outcomes for 90.5% of graduates.
88% of 2024 graduates believe CC was effective or extremely effective in preparing them for work and life after college.*
…AND ALSO AT:
American University
Arizona State University
Babson College
Baylor University
Claremont Graduate University
Colorado State University
Columbia University
Cornell University
CU Anschutz Medical Campus
Dartmouth College
Fordham University
Georgetown University
King’s College London
Marquette University
McGill University
Michigan State University
New York University
Northwestern University
Stanford University
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Chicago
Washington University in St. Louis
Yale University
FROM CC TO CONGRESS.
Liz Cheney ’88 is a former Wyoming congresswoman and is the daughter of former vice president Dick Cheney and second lady Lynne Cheney ’63. She studied Political Science at CC and wrote her senior thesis on “The Evolution of Presidential War Powers.” She credits CC for helping her learn to do the right thing and listen to her inner voice. And she came back to campus to deliver the 2023 Commencement Address.
“I can honestly say that the things that are most important to me in this world, I have because of Colorado College. My husband, Phil Perry, class of ’86, and our five incredible children, two of whom are CC grads themselves. CC is a most special place for me.”
— LIZ CHENEY ’88
AND RECENT GRADS
JACQUI HAND ’22 Member of the New Zealand Women’s National Soccer Team
JENA HAUSMAN ’93 CEO of Children's Hospital Colorado
TEDDY WEISS ’21 Assistant to CO Attorney General Phil Weiser
JEN SINCERO ’87 Author of You Are a Badass
Where professionals become professors become peers.
When students and professors are fully immersed in one course at a time, it allows for stronger connections to form between them. One example of this is Josh Felton ’22. Josh is both a student and colleague of Professor Rachel Jabaily. Josh won the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship in organismal biology and ecology. In his professional career, Josh wants to help students connect with nature while promoting sustainability and innovation, in the same way that he credits his mentor, Professor Jabaily, for her constant support as a key part of his journey toward a Cornell PhD.
“Working closely with all of the professors and students not only enhanced my understanding of teaching but being able to continue research with Dr. Rachel Jabaily also reinforced my desire to pursue a career at a liberal arts institution like CC, where I could combine my passion for teaching and research.
— JOSH FELTON ’22
Cinematography down to a fine art.
Guy Mossman ’95 is a director and cinematographer, best known for his dramatic photography on several award-winning documentaries, including Feels Good Man (2020), which follows cartoonist Matt Furie’s quest to reclaim his character Pepe the Frog from the throes of Internet-meme bigotry. But before Guy was behind the camera, he was a Studio Art major at CC in addition to playing soccer, snowboarding, and rock climbing. At CC, he learned to try new things and not be afraid to cross-pollinate across art forms or mediums.
“I had a very artistic experience, a very creative experience at CC. I was doing sculptures with Carl Reed. I was doing theater with Thaddeus Phillips and all the people there in the theater department. It was this experience where you get to try so many things, and you can break any stereotype.”
— GUY MOSSMAN ’95
Where artificial intelligence meets human intelligence.
Lilly Chen ’19 is the CEO and founder of Contenda, a startup that blends AI with human expertise to build tools for companies. But before her success in the business and technology world, she was actually a professional gamer. And she founded CC’s Esports program, which she credits for helping spark her entrepreneurial journey.
“Just like at CC, my business is on a Block Plan — a five-day weekend goes a long way! The key element to the Block is the break, and that works in the real world as well.”
— LILLY CHEN ’19
JEREMY ZUCKER ’18
Alt/Indie-Pop Musician
DAVIS TUTT ’15
Director of Sports Tourism & Olympic Engagement for Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
MELANIE AUGUSTE ’09
Nike’s Global VP & GM of Women’s Sports
MIKE TURNER ’04
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Finance (SIFI) at the Colorado Energy Office
New Student Orientation students hike through the beautiful sandstone formations and enjoy the views of Pikes Peak during a ~2 miles hike at Garden of the Gods National Natural Landmark.
EST. 1874
TOTAL STUDENTS
2,100+ 10%
48 U.S. STATES AND 40+ COUNTRIES REPRESENTED
PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS LIVING ON CAMPUS 80%
15% OF STUDENTS RECEIVE PELL GRANTS
10:1
STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO
FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS
COLORS: BLACK & GOLD
100+
STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
26%
DOMESTIC STUDENTS OF COLOR
100
ACRE RESIDENTIAL CAMPUS IN COLORADO SPRINGS, CO.
2
MOUNTAIN CAMPUSES FOR CLASS FIELD TRIPS AND RETREATS NEAR THE GREAT SAND DUNES (BACA CAMPUS) AND DIVIDE, CO (GILMORE STABLER CABIN.
MASCOT RoCCy THE TIGER