Know Before You Go: Climbing Colorado 14ers Climbing a 14er has become a right of passage for many intermediate and experienced Colorado hikers. The feeling of accomplishment when you’ve reached the summit after hiking uphill for many miles is an incredible reward. With that reward comes plenty of risks that should be considered before embarking […]
Outdoor Recreation Leadership
Earn a hands-on outdoor recreation degree in the Colorado mountains
Students interested in an outdoor recreation degree can get the skills and knowledge to develop and lead people in the outdoors with our two-year outdoor education program. As you earn your Outdoor Recreation Leadership degree you will learn wilderness skills and gain confidence in leadership situations. We stress low-impact techniques for responsible environmental stewardship. This two-year outdoor education school teaches:
- Wilderness studies
- Business and management principles
- Group development
- Leadership theory
- Communication & Conflict resolution
- Safe and efficient travel
- Leave no trace
MOUNTAIN LEARNING, MOUNTAIN LIVING IN LEADVILLE, COLORADO
Leadville, Colorado is the place if you love the outdoors. Our school in Leadville specializes in outdoor and environmental programs in a spectacular mountain setting. With over 250 acres, the campus has miles of cross country ski trails that are maintained by students in the Ski Area Operations program.
Our residence halls encompass spectacular views of the two highest mountains in Colorado. Classrooms feature state-of-the art technology, computer labs. There’s also a cybercafe/bookstore. The Timberline Analytical Lab has high-end precision instruments and equipment unique to a community college.
High Rockies Adventure Club Meets September 9
The High Rockies Adventure Club gears up for a semester of outdoor experiences and excursions The High Rockies Adventure Club (HRAC) is a student-led group dedicated to building a community of conscientious outdoor leaders while developing an inclusive culture of outdoor recreation. The club plans and participates in school-sponsored excursions, like mountain bike rides, rock […]
Rock Climbing Leadership
CMC Rock Climbing Leadership Students will Explore Local Crags this Fall In a few weeks, Colorado Mountain College Leadville students enrolled in the Rock Climbing Leadership course will embark on a ten-day climbing adventure. The small group of dedicated recreationists will learn beginner and intermediate rock climbing techniques, practicing rappelling, knot-tying, rescues, and belaying, among […]
Throttling Through a Commencement Curveball
Throttling Through a Commencement Curveball How one CMC graduate celebrated her academic accomplishments mid-pandemic and her outlook on the outdoor job market Graduating college is an incredible accomplishment that deserves to be celebrated. Though the pandemic had other plans for the class of 2020, Colorado Mountain College Leadville graduates like Kesley White found alternative ways […]
Learn how to be a commercial river guide at CMC
Whitewater Paddling Leadership Learn how to be a commercial river guide at CMC As of mid-December, the Colorado snowpack is about 133% of the average for this time of year. Though most folks are currently dreaming about powder days, pretty soon we’ll be dusting off those paddles and PFDs. The best way to prepare for […]
Gear Room Expo: A Symposium of Backcountry Skills on Dec. 6
Colorado Mountain College Leadville’s outdoor program is hosting a backcountry skills clinic on December 6, 2019 from 1-4pm. The Gear Room Expo: A Symposium of Backcountry Skills will include demonstrations and skill-building workshops based around backcountry gear and cooking. Specific activities include stove repair, backcountry brownies & orange cakes, kayak fitting, a guided snowshoe hike, […]
Four Seasons of Riding with the Cloud City Wheelers
CMC students supporting Leadville’s cycling community In Leadville, we spend a lot of time outdoors and on trails. In fact, the extensive trail system that winds and loops around the Cloud City is one of the town’s biggest recreational assets. Whether your crushing dirt while running cross-country or crunching snow on a fat-bike, chances are […]
Mountain O students put gear to the test on 8-day backpacking class
Perched on the edge of a mountain, Cody and his classmates looked out over the Collegiate Peaks Wilderness. A few moments ago, he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to climb over the ridge. The scree and the slope looked intimidating, but Cody and the other backpackers in his group continued to ascend. One-by-one they […]
Dipping Her Toes into a Professional Guiding Career
Dipping Her Toes into a Professional Guiding Career How one Colorado Mountain College outdoor student landed her first job in the outdoor industry before graduating One year ago Leah Elkins completed Kayak Touring Leadership, her first water-based outdoor field course at Colorado Mountain College Leadville. It was through this experience that the Outdoor Recreation Leadership […]
4 Things I Learned at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show
4 Things I Learned at the Outdoor Retailer Snow Show by Leah Elkins, Outdoor Recreation Leadership student Outdoor Students Attended the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show in Denver On the first of February, several lucky Colorado Mountain College Outdoor students attended the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Snow Show. Rachel Pokrandt, Vice President and CMC Leadville campus […]