There really ought to be a college here

There Really Ought to Be a College Here

The Story Behind Colorado Mountain College

By Doug Stewart

“It all started with an empty file folder,” recalled David Delaplane. In 1962, Delaplane was settling in to his new office as manager of the Glenwood Springs Chamber of Commerce. He came across a folder titled “Education Committee” that had nothing in it, except for some names. He thought to himself, “There really ought to be a college here.” He contacted the people listed and resurrected the committee. A property valuation of $60 million was required by the state of Colorado to set up a junior college taxing district. It took five counties to meet the requirements: Garfield, Pitkin, Eagle, Lake and Summit. The plan had to go to the voters, so the committee had to promote it. “Night after night for a year,” Delaplane explained, “we traveled miles to meet with every service group in every community to show everyone how important it was to have a junior college.” Their late nights paid off. In November 1965, by a margin of more than 2 to 1, voters in the five counties approved the formation of the junior college district that would become home to Colorado Mountain College. Delaplane was elected to the first Governing Committee of the college in January 1966. The college opened in 1967 after simultaneously building two original campuses: Spring Valley south of Glenwood and in Leadville. Today, Colorado Mountain College serves over 20,000 students per year in 11 locations, and offers bachelor’s degrees.

1962

Chamber of Commerce manager David Delaplaine finds a folder in his office titled, “Education Committee.” He contacts the people on the list, convenes a committee and begins collecting signatures for a petition to prepare a ballot measure.

1966-1967

Spring Valley rangers and land owners donate 588 acres for the West Campus (Spring Valley) and construction begins in April 1967. Classes begin at Spring Valley and Leadville in the fall of 1967 with Aspen, Rifle, Salida, Eagle County and Summit County following within the next five years.

1981

Glenwood Center opens and receives several national awards and is featured on the cover of Solar Age Magazine. The building becomes the largest passive solar structure of its kind ever funded by the Department of Energy.

2011

Bachelor’s degrees are offered for the first time. Students could choose from bachelor of science in business administration or a bachelor of arts in sustainability study.

50th Anniversary

CMC celebrates its 50th anniversary. Today, there are 11 locations serving 20,000 students each year. Programs from ESL and GED to bachelor’s degrees are offered.