Alpine Bank Provides Funding to Explore Financial Planning Program at Western

As the demand for financial planning professionals continues to rise, Western Colorado University is excited to announce a $26,000 seed grant from Alpine Bank to support the development of the Western Slope’s first Certified Financial Planner (CFP) program.

The funding enables Western’s School of Business to begin designing a curriculum aligned with the standards of the CFP Board certification process, which includes coursework, an exam, industry experience, and an ethics agreement that students must complete for certification. The School aims to admit students to the program in the Fall of 2026.

With over 30 million Americans expected to retire in the next decade and more than 100 million already over the age of 50, the need for financial planners is greater than ever. Western’s new program is tailored to meet the demand by equipping students with the knowledge and skills to provide retirement planning and financial advice to people across the country.

“The introduction of the Certified Financial Planner program marks a significant milestone for Western’s School of Business,” Paula Mann, Associate Dean of the School of Business, said. “This initiative is made possible through the generous contribution from Alpine Bank to provide start-up funding, which allows us to design a curriculum that fosters career-ready financial planners capable of making a positive impact in their communities.”

Alpine Bank, a long-time supporter of Western and employer of many School of Business graduates, has been instrumental in bringing this program to life. The bank’s vice chairman and president, Glen Jammaron, graduated from Western in 1984. Earlier this year, Alpine Bank gave a generous gift to name a space in the newly renovated Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex. Their most recent commitment to the university and the broader Gunnison community ensures that Western students will have the resources and opportunities to excel in the financial planning industry.

“As a former Mountaineer, I’ve seen firsthand how Western Colorado University equips its students for impactful careers, including my own journey to Alpine Bank,” Jammaron said. “This partnership represents a shared commitment to innovation and education in our communities, and we’re excited to support Western as it leads the way in developing the first Certified Financial Planner program on the Western Slope.”