Colorado Community College System

It was an honor to host Senator Michael Bennet at CCA’s CAST building to see our workforce training in action. CCCS Chancellor Dr. Marie DeSanctis: “What Senator Bennet saw at CCA is the power of education designed around real outcomes—programs shaped by employers and delivered by dedicated faculty.” Read more on our blog: bit.ly/4kaWS2d #WorkforceReady

Colorado's behavioral health workforce is getting stronger through employer-college partnerships. CCCS worked with providers to create 5 stackable microcredentials that prepare students for real-world roles in <1 year—reducing turnover & strengthening care. Read more: bit.ly/3LyEPGc

Today, Chancellor DeSanctis presented to the Joint Budget Committee at the State Capitol to advocate for the resources needed to sustain affordable, relevant, workforce-aligned education across the Colorado Community College System—on behalf of the students and communities we serve. We appreciate the Joint Budget Committee’s continued engagement and partnership in supporting Colorado’s learners and workforce. Thank you to our legislative affairs team and the many leaders across our System whose work makes this advocacy possible.

Community colleges serve 41% of U.S. undergraduates yet receive less than 4% of philanthropic donations (Giving USA). Your support of CCCS helps students across the state launch careers, support families and build Colorado’s future. Donate today.  cccs.edu/foundation/giv…

Warm holiday wishes from the Colorado Community College System! Our System Office and colleges will be closed from December 24 through January 2 as we take time to rest, reflect, and recharge. We look forward to welcoming students, partners, and communities back in the new year. Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to 2026.

Statewide, CCCS serves nearly 130,000 students annually – 44% of whom are first generation students. Donate today - become a partner in transforming lives, families and communities throughout Colorado!  cccs.edu/foundation/giv…

Every day, CCCS transforms lives in communities throughout Colorado. Donate today and join us in expanding opportunities for students in every corner of our state.  ​ youtube.com/watch?v=QLs7in…

This week, Chancellor DeSanctis, college presidents, and leaders from across CCCS traveled to the State Capitol to advocate for capital and technology project requests during the Capital Development Committee and Joint Technology Committee hearings. We appreciate our state legislators for the thoughtful dialogue and engagement as they learned more about these proposed investments and their importance to students, workforce training, and communities across Colorado. Learn more about the projects and CCCS’s 2026 legislative priorities. bit.ly/4aUtRVA

CCCS’s pledge is to reimagine the college journey, create more pathways to prosperity, and ensure that every learner has the opportunity to succeed—no matter where they start or where they’re headed. Donate today and become a partner in building Colorado’s future—one learner, one community, one partnership at a time. cccs.edu/foundation/giv…

Community colleges serve 41% of U.S. undergraduates yet receive less than 4% of philanthropic donations (Giving USA). CCCS’s 13 colleges ensure all our learners across Colorado have access to affordable, personalized education opportunities. Donate today to help us launch careers, support families and build Colorado’s future.  cccs.edu/foundation/giv…

At CCCS, we ensure learners across Colorado have access to affordable, personalized education opportunities. Economic mobility drives every program we offer, creating lasting financial security for individuals and their families. Give today to help expand opportunities for economic mobility. bit.ly/4ra7K3a #ColoradoGivesDay #WaveofGenerosity

CCCS colleges deliver workforce-ready skills through industry credentials and career connections—preparing Colorado's workforce as employers adopt skills-based hiring. CPR explores this workforce transformation: bit.ly/3Kut5UD #CollegeReimagined #EducationForAll #CareerConnected #WorkforceReady

Nationwide, community colleges serve 41% of undergraduate students yet receive less than 4% of philanthropic giving (Giving USA). Statewide, CCCS serves nearly 130,000 students annually. Give today and help us transform lives, families, and communities every day. All donations made through our Colorado Gives Day page now through December 9 count toward their $1 incentive fund. #ColoradoGivesDay  #WaveofGenerosity​ bit.ly/4ra7K3a

Transforming behavioral health education! At last month’s Behavioral Health Momentum Summit, educators, partners, and leaders shared and celebrated incredible progress in the delivery of flexible options for obtaining industry-recognized behavioral health credentials. bit.ly/3M3YZrA

This Thanksgiving, we are grateful for everyone who makes our community so special. Wishing you a joyful and restful holiday!  Our offices will be closed Thursday and Friday in observance of the holiday.

Colorado is redefining the future of learning and work. CCCS leaders joined a statewide panel to discuss the future of talent, opportunity, and how community colleges are helping meet Colorado’s workforce needs. Full story: cccs.edu/cccs-news/high…

Congratulations to @OteroCollege Men’s Soccer for earning a spot in the 2025 NJCAA National Tournament. Under the leadership of Head Coach Alberto “Beto” Garcia, the Rattlers continue to demonstrate excellence on and off the field. Way to represent Colorado!

Colorado leaders were front and center last week in Washington, D.C., as the American Association of Community Colleges convened national experts to shape the future of community colleges.    Several CCCS leaders were appointed to AACC Commissions and executive committee, guiding national work on student success, institutional transformation, public relations and advocacy, and strategic operations. Chancellor Marielena DeSanctis also joined a select group of higher education executives to discuss how to prepare presidents and senior teams for the evolving needs of today’s students and the workforce.    With more than 40% of the nation’s 10 million college students enrolled in community colleges, Colorado is proud to help guide the next era of community college innovation.  @Comm_College    Read more: cccs.edu/cccs-news/shap…

We are proud to share that retired CCCS Chancellor Joe Garcia has been selected as the 2025 recipient of @CompleteCollege America’s Stan Jones Legacy Award, one of the nation’s top honors recognizing transformative leadership in expanding educational access and student success!    “Joe Garcia’s influence is felt in every corner of our System. His leadership elevated the role of community colleges, strengthened pathways for students, and modeled what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. This national honor is deeply deserved, and we are proud to see Joe’s lifelong commitment to students recognized on such a significant stage.” – Chancellor Marielena DeSanctis    Join us in congratulating Joe on this extraordinary achievement—and in celebrating the lasting mark he has made on Colorado’s and the nation's students, colleges, and communities.    completecollege.org/news/complete-…

Read more on the CCCS blog: cccs.edu/cccs-news/newl…

Today, CCCS is honored to name our State Board meeting space the Joe Garcia Board Room, recognizing the leadership, vision, and legacy of retired Chancellor Joe Garcia.     During his tenure, Joe led CCCS through a period of profound transformation—expanding access, modernizing online learning, strengthening transfer pathways, advancing equity, and unifying our colleges through a strong “Power of 13” culture.     This dedication is made possible through the generous leadership gift of Bruce and Beverly Wagner, whose support advances the Chancellor’s Unrestricted Endowment and ensures CCCS continues to serve Colorado with innovation and impact. Former SBCCOE member Jim Johnson also supported the fund with an initialmomentum-building gift.     Join us in celebrating Joe and thanking the Wagner family and Jim Johnson for their extraordinary partnership.