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A student wears a graduation gown and holds her cap in the air at Hartman Rocks.
now is the time to

confirm your spot

Deposit Now

2 easy Steps to deposit

1

Visit Your Navigator

To confirm your spot, log in to your Navigator, the same portal you’ve been using for your application process.

2

Submit Your Deposit

A $200 enrollment deposit secures your spot and makes your Mountaineer decision official!

Three students sit on a raft on a trailer during the Homecoming parade on Gunnison's Main Street.

Not only will you earn a degree,

but your life will change forever.

Western Colorado University delivers a one-of-a-kind college experience you’ll look back on for the rest of your life. Beyond our personalized, hands-on academic programs, you’ll also be immersed in small-town mountain living. From powder days, cattle drive traffic jams, familiar faces at the grocery store, and more, you’ll become part of a supportive community that values nature, connection, and a life well lived.

Take the Leap

Feel At Home From Day One.

Once you commit to Western, you can start looking forward to your first week on campus. Here's a bit of what you can expect when we welcome you to Our Side of the Mountains!

Moving In
New Student Orientation
Wilderness Based Orientation
Mountaineer Movers help first-year students move their belongings into the dorms.

Move-In Day

We make the moving-in process seamless with scheduled check-ins and a helpful team to help you unload your belongings quickly into your dorm. We take the stress out of moving so you can focus more on settling into your new home.

Learn More
A student looks over at her friend and smiles while sliding headfirst down the giant slip n' slide for orientation week.

New Student Orientation

We don’t do a typical first-week orientation. Your first week is all about building connections and getting to know your new home. From outdoor excursions to a Slip ’N Slide party and more, you’ll jump right into experiences that help you meet people, have fun, and feel like a Mountaineer from day one.

Learn More
Two students smile at the top of Storm Pass while on a backpacking trip.

Wilderness Based Orientation

Want to start college in the backcountry? Add a five-day Wilderness-Based Orientation (WBO) trip to your orientation experience.

  • Mountaineering
  • Backpacking
  • Multi Sport Adventure
  • Rock Climbing
  • Whitewater Rafting
  • Whitewater Kayaking
Learn More
At Western, I found a unique balance between academics and adventure. Being surrounded by the mountains pushed me to explore, create, and capture the outdoors in ways that shaped who I am today.
Katie Henderson
Alum, 2025
Katie Henderson
Western has helped me grow through its unique location. There are very little distractions, which allowed me to focus on shaping the person I wanted to be. I learned to invest time into things that truly mattered, like my community, academic and athletic growth, and independence.
Kelia Portis
Alum, 2025
Kelia Portis

What are you waiting for?

Submit your deposit before it’s too late!
Confirm My Spot

We're Here to Help!

Still have questions about Western and if it’s right for you? Connect with our friendly Admissions Team or schedule a visit!

  • Chase Watts smiles at the camera.

    Chase Watts

    Director of Admissions

  • Alissa Bevan

    Alissa Bevan

    Associate Director of Admissions

  • Headshot of Brice Koval.

    Brice Koval

    Admissions & Recruitment Counselor - STEM

  • Kelsey Kusnetzky

    Kelsey Kusnetzky

    Enrollment Communications Strategist

  • Vadood Ziroki

    Vadood Ziroki

    Admissions & Recruitment Counselor