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Explore past stories that highlight Western's milestones, achievements, and moments that shaped our community.

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The interior of the Mountaineer Marketplace with a fridge, cabinets, and shelves full of food.

Fight Hunger Bags at City Market to Support Western’s Mountaineer Marketplace

Mountaineer Marketplace is teaming up with City Market this winter to take on food insecurity through the Fight Hunger reusable bag program. Throughout February and…
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Group photo of students from various cohorts, faculty, and support staff of the NSF EMPLOYS program outside near the north patio of the Clark Family School of Environment & Sustainability.

EMPLOYS: A Bridge Between Science and Management

To the untrained eye, the stretch of Tomichi Creek that runs through Western’s Coldharbour Ranch looks pretty natural as it snakes back and forth between…
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A student is seated at an imac and works on his project in typography class

Meeting the AI Moment: How Western Is Preparing Students for What Comes Next

Since the public release of tools like ChatGPT in late 2022, the pace of change has been swift. Some surveys suggest that as many as…
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Highlights from The Westerner Alumni Magazine

Taking Flight
A student operating a drone control.

Taking Flight

Students and faculty are using drone technology to conduct environmental research, map terrain, and capture aerial data, opening new opportunities in fields like environmental science, geology, and media production.

Taking Flight
Panels of Possibility
Students carry a solar panel.

Panels of Possibility

Students partnered with Gunnison County Electric Association and Powerfield Energy to build a nearly 1 MW solar array, gaining hands-on construction, installation, and industry experience while helping advance clean energy in the Gunnison Valley.

Panels of Possibility
CHESS Match
A student operates a control in the field.

CHESS Match

Students teamed up with scientists to support the Colorado Headwaters Ecological Spectroscopy Study (CHESS) by collecting leaf, drone, and airplane-based sensor data that will help track water, soil, and vegetation changes across the West.

CHESS Match
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The Press Room

Your source for official news and media resources from Western Colorado University. Find recent press releases, access our media kit, view official statements, connect with experts and our communications team for interviews and inquiries.

Mountaineer Minute

Student news, all in one place.

From athletic wins to research projects, the Mountaineer Minute brings students the latest stories that matter. We’ve pulled together news from across campus, including student media, official university announcements, and video highlights, so you don’t have to hunt for what’s happening. It’s student-centered, easy to navigate, and updated regularly.

 

MSE student Phoebe Roberts holds up the soil core sample retrieved at a site for her graduate project.

Western In the News

January 22, 2026

Western Colorado U EMPLOYS turns research into impact

Montrose Daily Press

The EMPLOYS program at Western Colorado University connects scientific research with real-world environmental management, training students to turn data into practical, on-the-ground solutions. It strengthens Western’s role as a leader in applied sustainability education and prepares graduates to lead across science, policy, and land management systems.

January 19, 2026

Meeting the AI moment: How Western is preparing students for what comes next

Gunnison Country Times

Western Colorado University is actively integrating artificial intelligence into its curriculum so students gain practical skills and ethical understanding of AI tools while preserving critical thinking and creativity. This approach positions Western students to succeed in an AI-shaped future by combining fluency with emerging technologies and real-world readiness.

January 8, 2026

Crested Butte athlete to compete in Olympic Games’ newest sport

CPR News

Western Colorado University alumnus Cam Smith will compete in ski mountaineering at the 2026 Winter Olympics after winning a World Cup event and earning qualification for the sport’s Olympic debut, showcasing how Western’s mountain environment and athletic opportunities help students reach elite levels of competition. His journey from attending classes in Gunnison and skiing locally to standing on the world stage highlights the impact of Western’s outdoor culture on student development and achievement.

In the News