From Microplastics to Land Management: How one NRM student is bridging the gap between final exams and a forestry career Inspired by a lab assignment in which she and her classmates discovered microplastics embedded in snowmelt samples, Caitlin McCarthy decided to use her final project for Environmental Science to dig deeper into the issue. “I […]
CMC Leadville Programs
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 […]
‘Snowboarding forever’ with the Ski Area Ops program

Ski Area Ops graduate lands full-time position at Killington Ski Resort Colin Whitaker has been snowboarding for more than twenty years. According to him, it’s his life passion. At a young age, he knew he wanted to make a career in the ski industry. In 2013, he began working as a ski patroller at Wintergreen […]
Ski Ops Grad Lands Job at Hometown Mountain

Returning to His Roots: Ski Ops Grad Lands Job at Hometown Mountain Dallas Zamora is returning to the mountains he grew up on, and bringing his career with him. Thanks to his degree in Ski Area Operations and three years of professional experience on his resume, Dallas landed a job as a Terrain Park Cat […]
Mountain Meteorology Workshop October 15 – 17

The Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and Colorado Mountain College are offering a Mountain Meteorology Workshop, October 15 – 17 in Leadville, CO. This three-day course is open to the public and designed for avalanche practitioners and avid recreationalists. Anyone interested in mountain weather phenomena is welcome to attend, and no previous meteorological education is […]
The Ripple Effect

The Ripple Effect CMC fly fishing guide grads create opportunities for the next generation of female anglers Fly fishing is having a moment. Historically, fly fishing has been a male dominated sport, but that’s changing. Women are now the fastest growing demographic in fly fishing and as more outdoor enthusiasts discover the joys of fly […]
Fly Fishing Guide Student Catches Orvis Scholarship

Turning Good Days into Great Days on the Water
Colleen “Cookie” Hooper is going back to school. This spring, the 52-year-old realtor from Arvada, CO will begin the Professional Fly Fishing Guide certification program at Colorado Mountain College Leadville—and thanks to Orvis’ Fly Fishing gear scholarship, she will be looking and feeling her best on the river.
Maintenance Welding for Ski Area Operators Summer Class

Colorado Mountain College Leadville to offer Summer Maintenance Welding for Ski Area Operators Class When commercial snowmaking equipment springs a leak, and there’s 30 feet of water shooting across the ski slope, you’ll want a welder on your team. Installing chair lifts, repairing ropeways, and patching sections of snowmaking pipe are ski area operations responsibilities […]
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 […]