RIFLE CAMPUS

Honoring the Ute Legacy: Mural Reveal at CMC Rifle

On May 22, the Rifle Campus came alive with history, art, and community as CMC unveiled a powerful new mural honoring the Ute people and their deep-rooted connection to the Colorado River Valley. The event, which drew a large and heartfelt crowd—including members of the Frost family—was a moving celebration of culture and storytelling.

Created by Rifle-based artist Jeremy Velasquez, the vibrant mural expands upon the campus’s longstanding tradition of depicting the region’s ranching, mining, and agricultural heritage. Now, that legacy includes the voices and history of the Ute people—Colorado’s original stewards of this land.

Artist Jeremy Velasquez shares the inspiration and symbolism behind

the new mural.

Filmmaker and storyteller Larry Cesspooch captivates the audience with the Ute Creation Story during the mural unveiling.

At the heart of the mural is Kenny Frost, a respected Southern Ute leader and advocate who spent decades shaping policy and preserving Indigenous culture in Western Colorado. His legacy includes organizing the first United Ute Powwow in more than a century, helping ensure the respectful reburial of ancient remains, and embedding Native voices into federal land planning.

Also featured at the event was Larry Cesspooch, a filmmaker, Navy veteran, and storyteller from the Ute Indian Tribe. Through spoken word and ceremony, he shared the Ute Creation Story, the rich seasonal traditions of his people, and offered a blessing for the mural and all present.

Together, the mural and celebration marked a significant moment for CMC and the Rifle community—a visual and spiritual reminder of shared history, ongoing presence, and mutual respect.

Stop by the CMC Rifle Campus to experience the mural in person and reflect on the legacy it honors.

SPRING VALLEY CAMPUS

Sopris Theatre Company Shines on the National Stage

CMC’s Sopris Theatre Company has taken center stage—literally. Their award-winning production of Natural Shocks is now being performed at the National Community Theatre Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, representing Colorado among the country’s top college and community theatre programs.

A one-woman tour-de-force by actor Bostyn Elswick, Natural Shocks has captivated audiences with its timely, emotionally charged story. The play earned multiple honors at the Colorado Theatre Festival, including Outstanding Actor in a Lead Role and Outstanding Sound Design, before being selected to compete at Nationals.

Now, after months of preparation and a cross-country journey, the cast and crew are sharing their talent with a national audience—an incredible achievement that reflects CMC’s commitment to excellence in the arts.

Support the continued success of the Sopris Theatre Company and help keep opportunities like this thriving.

BRECKENRIDGE CAMPUS

Make a Lasting Impact: Become a Mentor at CMC

CMC’s Mountain Scholars program is looking for volunteer mentors in Summit County to support first-generation college students through one-on-one connections that offer academic, professional, and personal guidance.

Mentors like Barbara Payne and Bonnie Ward say the relationships they’ve built have been transformative—not just for students, but for themselves as well. Whether it's helping with financial aid forms or offering advice on life beyond college, mentors play a vital role in student success.

Currently, more students are waiting to be matched than there are available mentors for the fall.

Know someone who’d make a great mentor? Learn more about the program and help shape a student’s future.

STUDY ABROAD SPOTLIGHT

Step Into History: CMC Students Head to Cuba

This fall, CMC students and community members will journey to Cuba—a rare opportunity to explore one of Latin America’s most complex and captivating countries. Led by Professor Bob Gumbrecht, the study abroad experience (Nov. 21–Dec. 1) will explore “The Cuban Revolution in the 21st Century,” through visits with Cuban residents, historic sites, artists, and even U.S. diplomats in Havana.

P.S. You don’t have to be a student to join the adventure—community members are welcome too!

For many students, global experiences like this are only possible through scholarship support.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FEATURED EVENT

Night-Ops Live Fire Training

July 23, 2025 at 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Headwaters Training Center. 1229 County RD. 11A, Leadville

Night-Ops is Leadville’s most adrenaline-packed tradition—where future firefighters step into the real-life pressure of the job. Join us at 6:30 p.m. for a guided tour of the burn tower, then stay to witness our fire academy students respond to live, high-intensity emergency simulations alongside Leadville Lake County Fire Rescue.

From vehicle fires to hazmat rescues, Night-Ops puts months of training to the test—and it’s as real as it gets.

Come support these rising heroes—and if you can’t make it, help fuel the future of fire science in Leadville with a gift today.

Learn more about Leadville Night-Ops here >

Learn more about CMC's Fire Science Program here >

Wine Series: Spain

July 10, 2025 @ 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm

CMC Aspen Campus

Explore Spanish wines through food parings! We’ll taste several wines accompanied by food on this night dedicated to Spanish wines! Students must be at least 21 years of age. There is a non-refundable student course charge of $60 to be paid to CMC for consumable materials for this class.

Rodeo On Film: "Black Rodeo" (1972)

July 17, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm

Wildhorse Cinema + Arts 655 Marketplace Plaza, Steamboat Springs

Hollywood has always been fascinated by the West and by the image of the Cowboy. Movies have taken a number of different perspectives on stories set in the world of rodeo. Join screenwriter Paul McCudden at Wildhorse Cinema + Arts in the Wildhorse Market Place for a formal viewing and discussion on how the rodeo continues to be an iconic image of the American West. Each week, we'll feature a story from a different, unique perspective. Together, we'll explore the myths and realities of this uniquely American sport. Featured Film: "Black Rodeo" (1972) Date: Thursday, July 17, 2025 Time: 7pm - 10pm Location: Wildhorse Cinema + Arts Register Now! Rodeo on Film: "Black Rodeo" (1972)

Sheri Tingey Lecture and Roundtable

July 23, 2025 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

CMC Aspen Campus

Sheri Tingey is a co-founder of the Alpacka Raft Company. Alpacka Packrafts are custom built rafts made in Mancos, Colorado USA. Ms. Tingey will lecture on her experience as one of the innovative co-founders of Alpacka Raft Company, and how she transitioned from designing garments to designing and manufacturing back-packable rafts. Tutorial lecture and a round table discussion focusing on the skills that are transferable from making garments to product design and development of other items. 40 person capacity

Please Register by calling 970-925-7740

View our Mountain Futures Impact 2023-2024.