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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.
Western Newsroom
News
Low Snowpack Kindles More Severe Wildfires, Western Study Finds
Press Release
Western Colorado University raises over $200,000 in second Mountaineer Gives Day
News
Mountaineer Cinema Revives Film Culture at Western Colorado University
Press Release
Western Accepting Applications for New Nursing Program
News
Western’s KWSB Radio Moves to Streaming-Only Broadcast, Ends FM Signal
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Explore past stories that highlight Western's milestones, achievements, and moments that shaped our community.
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Western’s Art & Design Department Chair Chosen for Prestigious Fellowship
Training humanities faculty for leadership GUNNISON, Colorado: Western Art & Design Department Chair and Professor Tina Butterfield was one of only eight people from across…
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Western Earns Accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission
Recognition demonstrates a commitment to academic excellence Western Colorado University is excited to announce that the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) voted at its July 18…
Highlights from The Westerner Alumni Magazine
Panels of Possibility
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.
CHESS Match
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.
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.
Western In the News
Low snowpack kindles more severe wildfires, Western study finds
Gunnison Country Times
Low snowpack may be setting the stage for more severe wildfires
Earth.com
New research from Western Colorado University shows that low snowpack across the Rocky Mountain West doesn’t just extend wildfire season, it can intensify how severely fires burn. By analyzing decades of data, Western researchers found that shrinking snowpack leaves forests drier and more vulnerable, raising the risk of long-term ecosystem damage and reshaping landscapes across the region.
Low snow water content tied to higher wildfire burn severity, analysis finds
phys.org
Research from Western Colorado University shows that low snow water content plays a critical role in driving more severe wildfire burn conditions across western U.S. forests. By analyzing more than three decades of data, Western scientists found that reduced snowpack leaves ecosystems drier and more vulnerable, offering key insights to help anticipate and manage increasingly intense fire seasons.