In the News

Western Colorado University art students won a Gunnison mural contest, and two new murals created by those students will be installed around town by the end of the month as part of a community arts initiative. The project highlights how Western’s arts programs engage students in real-world creative work that enriches the Gunnison community.

Western Colorado University alumna Addy Mullin Lehman turned a high school hobby into a thriving wedding videography career after recognizing an unmet need in Colorado’s booming wedding market while living in the Gunnison Valley. Today, her emotionally driven films book dozens of weddings each year, reflecting Western’s impact on entrepreneurial thinking and creative career paths.

Western Colorado University Professor Kanae Haneishi highlights how physical activity supports learning and lifelong physical and mental health while addressing equity, inclusion, and stereotypes within the physical education space. Her insights underscore Western’s commitment to inclusive, research-informed education that connects health, learning, and social responsibility at Western Colorado University.

Western Colorado University graduate Samantha Carlin brings Western’s sustainability-focused education into the national spotlight through her reporting on VISION House Transcend, exploring how thoughtful design and low-impact materials shape healthier, more resilient homes. Her work underscores how a Western education translates environmental values into real-world impact across the built environment.

Western Colorado University alumnus Cameron Smith helped propel Team USA to its first-ever Ski Mountaineering World Cup gold, securing an Olympic berth alongside teammate Anna Gibson for the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympics. Smith’s path from Western to the world stage highlights how the University’s mountain environment and exercise science foundation support elite performance and bold, interdisciplinary athletic pursuits at Western Colorado University.

The Colorado Commission on Higher Education approved 28 Open Educational Resources grants totaling $1 million to reduce textbook costs and expand zero-textbook-cost degree options, including support for a Bachelor of Nursing at Western Colorado University. These investments aim to make higher education more affordable and accessible for students across Colorado, reinforcing Western’s commitment to student success and academic affordability.

Western Colorado University theatre professor Steven Cole Hughes took his students behind the scenes of a real Hollywood production after landing a featured role in the Colorado-filmed movie The Man Who Changed the World, bringing firsthand industry experience back to campus. His opportunity highlights how Western’s on-camera acting program connects classroom learning with professional creative work in the film industry.

Western Colorado University is partnering with local schools, community organizations, and the Gravity Diversity Project to help under-resourced families and children access mountain recreation like skiing and riding through affordable, inclusive programs this winter. This effort reflects Western’s commitment to community engagement and expanding outdoor opportunity for all residents of the Gunnison Valley.

Western Colorado University researchers, including graduate student Alyssa Worsham and Professor Jonathan Coop, are challenging traditional wilderness and fire management assumptions by asking whether inaction could pose a greater risk to Colorado’s landscapes, sparking new dialogue on wildfire resilience and stewardship. Their work highlights Western’s leadership in applied environmental research that informs how communities care for forests and wildlands amid changing fire dynamics.

Western Colorado University football stars Drew Nash and Ricky Freymond earned multiple 2025 NCAA Division II All-America honors for record-setting performances on offense and defense, highlighting a historic season for Mountaineer athletics. Their national recognition reflects Western’s competitive spirit and the strength of its NCAA Division II football program on the national stage.

Western Colorado University music students and faculty brought the joy of making music to kids with a hands-on “instrument petting zoo,” giving children in the region a chance to explore instruments, try out sounds, and spark a love of music. The event reflects Western’s commitment to community outreach and creative arts education that inspires learners of all ages.

Western Colorado University has been officially designated a Bird Friendly Campus through a student-led effort in Professor Pat Magee’s ornithology class to address dramatic declines in bird populations and promote habitat-supporting actions on campus. This recognition showcases Western’s leadership in environmental stewardship and its commitment to protecting biodiversity in the Gunnison Valley and beyond.

Western Colorado University graduate Samantha Carlin highlights sustainable water strategies in high-performance, off-grid prefab homes like VISION House Transcend, showing how science-based design and climate-aligned products conserve resources and support resilient living. Her coverage showcases how Western’s environmental management education connects technical climate action with real-world sustainability solutions in the built environment.

Western Colorado University faculty and alumni are reshaping the conversation on wilderness fire management by publishing research that challenges the long-held “hands off” approach and highlights the need for active tools like prescribed fire to restore ecological balance in changing landscapes. Their studies demonstrate strong professional support for modern stewardship strategies and reflect Western’s leadership in environmental science and real-world impact on land management practices.

Western Colorado University graduate Samantha Carlin highlights sustainable building innovation in Green Builder Media by explaining how thermally modified wood siding at VISION House Transcend enhances durability, climate performance, and design harmony with mountain landscapes. Her article shows how Western’s environmental management education connects technical sustainability practices with real-world green building solutions that support resilient, climate-responsive homes.

Western Colorado University alumnus Dan Zadra retired after a 35-year career with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, where he played a key role in wildlife conservation and land stewardship across the Gunnison Valley. His career reflects how a Western education prepares graduates to serve rural communities and protect Colorado’s natural resources through hands-on, long-term impact at Western Colorado University.

Western Colorado University graduate Cameron Smith clinched a historic spot for Team USA in ski mountaineering at the 2026 Winter Olympics after winning the mixed relay at the ISMF Ski Mountaineering World Cup, marking a major milestone for both him and the sport as it makes its Olympic debut. His achievement highlights how Western’s Mountain Sports environment and alumni support help athletes reach the highest levels of competition.

Western Colorado University has been officially designated a Bird Friendly Campus through a student-driven initiative and faculty support, advancing habitat protection and bird-safe practices amid dramatic declines in bird populations. This recognition highlights Western’s commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity, and hands-on learning that benefits both campus and community.

Western Colorado University has opened a new high-fidelity simulation lab to train future nurses with advanced, realistic clinical experiences that enhance hands-on learning and patient care skills. The facility underscores Western’s commitment to preparing skilled health professionals and strengthening rural healthcare workforce capacity in Colorado.

Western Colorado University is celebrating the retirement of longtime Director of Unity and Belonging Sally Romero, who built the Multicultural Center from a small corner office into a vibrant hub where students of all backgrounds feel seen, supported, and connected over more than three decades. Her dedication to student community and belonging reflects Western’s core values and leaves a lasting legacy of inclusion and support across campus.

Western Colorado University has appointed Shelley Thompson as vice president of advancement and executive director of the WCU Foundation following a national search led by AGB Search, bringing experienced philanthropic leadership to support fundraising and strategic growth. Her role underscores Western’s momentum in securing resources that expand access, enhance student success, and strengthen university impact in the Gunnison Valley and beyond.

Western Colorado University senior quarterback Drew Nash was named the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Football Academic Offensive Player of the Year, carrying a 3.67 GPA while also earning first-team All-RMAC honors and adding to an outstanding season that included RMAC Offensive Player of the Year and Harlon Hill Award finalist recognition. His achievement highlights Western’s student-athletes excelling both on the field and in the classroom.

Western Colorado University is marking the retirement of longtime Multicultural Center director Sally Romero, whose decades of leadership helped shape a campus culture centered on belonging, support, and community. Her legacy reflects Western’s sustained commitment to equity, student connection, and creating spaces where all students feel seen and valued.

Western Colorado University graduate Cam Smith punched his ticket to the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics in ski mountaineering after a dramatic World Cup victory in December that secured U.S. qualification in both the sprint and mixed relay events. His journey from Western’s Mountain Sports community to the Olympic stage highlights how Western’s outdoor culture and training opportunities help athletes reach elite international competition.

Western Colorado University is among the Colorado institutions benefiting from a $1 million Open Educational Resources (OER) grant initiative approved by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education to reduce textbook costs and expand zero-textbook-cost degree options, including funding for Western’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. This investment supports student affordability and access by helping create free, high-quality learning materials and reinforcing Western’s commitment to reducing financial barriers to higher education.

Western Colorado University theatre professor Steven Cole Hughes took his on-camera acting class from lecture to real life by landing a role in the Colorado-filmed feature The Man Who Changed the World, giving his students a front-row look at the professional audition process and film set experience. His casting showcases Western’s hands-on arts education and how faculty bring real industry opportunities back into the classroom.

Western Colorado University’s ethics case competition team earned second place at the annual Ethics Case Competition, demonstrating strong critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills against collegiate peers. Their success reflects Western’s commitment to teaching professional judgment and real-world problem solving across disciplines.

Western Colorado University students and faculty in environmental, outdoor and natural resources programs will be interested in local efforts by the Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance to survey and review summer vehicle traffic in the backcountry as communities work to balance recreation access with conservation values. This discussion highlights the region’s focus on responsible land use and habitat protection, issues that intersect with Western’s commitment to outdoor stewardship and sustainable recreation.

Western Colorado University has been named a Career Connected Campus by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, one of only a few colleges in the state recognized for integrating career readiness and real-world experience into the student journey. This designation underscores Western’s strong focus on preparing students with internships, fieldwork, and professional skills that support success beyond graduation.

Western Colorado University graduate Cameron Smith and fellow American athletes are part of a growing group of Coloradans chasing Olympic dreams as ski mountaineering (skimo) makes its Winter Olympics debut in 2026, with U.S. competitors battling on the World Cup circuit for limited Olympic spots. The story highlights how athletes from Colorado’s mountain sports community are helping elevate the sport nationally as it moves onto the Olympic stage.

Western Colorado University exercise science researchers showed that AI-guided workouts on the CAROL Bike using reduced-exertion high-intensity training (REHIT) can significantly boost cardiorespiratory fitness in far less time than traditional cardio, with study participants improving VO₂max by about 12 percent in eight weeks. Their research highlights how Western’s Applied Exercise Science and Performance lab is advancing evidence-based fitness science and offering real-world insights into efficient, health-enhancing exercise methods.

The article breaks down the viral 12-3-30 treadmill trend and features research from Western Colorado University showing that while incline walking can increase fat utilization, it still burns fewer total calories than running. Western’s findings help clarify why the workout feels challenging but isn’t the metabolic “hack” social media promises.

Adam Collins, a Western Colorado University student, revived a haunted house tradition that promises a truly terrifying time!

A Western alumn, Taylor Miller, recently returned home after working as a Triple-A assistant performance coach with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, and he’s now set to revive his business, Colorado Fitness, in Gunnison. His journey from the big-leagues back to his hometown reflects both his professional growth and commitment to his local community.

Emily McMahill and Mary Sawyer join us for a conversation about Western’s new nursing program, set to welcome its first cohort of students in the fall semester of 2026.

The Gunnison County Tourism and Prosperity Project (TAPP) is launching its winter marketing campaign early this year, focusing on attracting fly-in visitors and supporting economic diversification beyond tourism. Western Colorado University plays a key role in that diversification, serving as one of the valley’s primary economic drivers alongside tourism and second homeowners, while collaborating with TAPP and ICELab to grow local innovation, jobs, and student opportunities.

A recent article explores how wildfire activity and watershed health are closely connected, noting that decades of fire suppression have intensified wildfires and damaged local water systems. Western Colorado University contributes to this work through research partnerships with the USGS and BLM, using local data to model fire patterns and inform sustainable watershed management across the Gunnison Valley.

Elizabeth Bradfield’s new poetry collection SOFAR reflects on ecological and historical themes through the lens of memory, sound, and place, drawing on her deep experiences as a naturalist and her life on the sea. As a faculty member at Western Colorado University and director of its poetry concentration, her work connects the university to broader dialogues in environmental humanities, creative writing, and the intersection of art and science.

Five years after the Grizzly Creek Fire, experts report that the burn scar in Glenwood Canyon is showing strong signs of recovery, with new vegetation growth and shifts in forest composition helping stabilize the landscape. The article notes that preliminary research from Western Colorado University suggests fire disturbances may act as natural barriers to future fire spread, linking the university’s ongoing ecological research directly to post-fire restoration dynamics.

Former Idaho Writer in Residence CMarie Fuhrman, Associate Director of Western Colorado University’s Graduate Program in Creative Writing, will lead a free poetry workshop, The Power of Articles: How A, An, and The Can Shape Our Perceptions, on October 7 at River Arts in Kamiah. Drawing from her experience as a writer, teacher, and mentor at Western, Fuhrman will guide participants in exploring how subtle grammatical choices can transform meaning, shape relationships, and empower more intentional, persuasive writing.

The Gunnison Valley is celebrating Welcoming Week with a series of community events highlighting the theme “Stories We Share”—honoring immigrants and long-term residents who together shape the region’s shared identity. With Western Colorado University’s Dean of Students Gary Pierson among the local leaders supporting this effort, the campus plays a key role in fostering belonging through events like the Welcome Western celebration at Quigley bandshell, underscoring the university’s commitment to inclusion and community partnership.

The Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP) has expanded beyond tourism promotion to balance economic growth with community needs, investing in housing, childcare, and workforce support while still driving visitation to the Gunnison Valley. Through its partnership with Western Colorado University’s ICELab, TAPP fosters entrepreneurship and innovation, connecting local businesses and students with resources that create high-paying jobs and build a more resilient year-round economy.

Five years after the Grizzly Creek Fire burned over 32,600 acres in Glenwood Canyon in 2020, experts report that the burn scar is showing strong signs of recovery, with substantial natural regrowth, especially of oak brush and aspen. Soil scientists are encouraged by findings—drawing on preliminary Western Colorado University research—that suggest fire-disturbed landscapes may gain increased diversity and resilience, with fire acting as a potential barrier to further fire spread.

Reduced-Exertion High-Intensity Training (REHIT) uses just a few short sprints in a 10–15 minute workout to deliver major cardiovascular and fat-burning benefits, rivaling much longer exercise sessions. At Western Colorado University, faculty and students in Exercise & Sport Science explore time-efficient training methods like REHIT to better understand performance, health, and wellness at high altitude.

New Mexico State University ran its first summer anthropology field school in Belize this year, where students excavated at La Milpa — a major Maya site — unearthing artifacts, features like temple-pyramids and ballcourts, and working in conditions of jungle heat, rain, and humidity. Among the collaborators, data from the dig will be incorporated into a report by Western Colorado University anthropology professor David M. Hyde, meaning Western students and faculty will contribute to and benefit from the knowledge generated abroad.

A study conducted by Western Colorado University’s High Altitude Exercise Physiology Program found that applying the ACE RRAMP framework—Respect, Recognition, Alignment, Mistakes, and Participant—in group fitness classes significantly improved attendance, participant motivation, and commitment over a six-week period compared to traditional instruction. The research showed that classes using RRAMP averaged about 79.7% attendance versus 56.2% in the control group, and that RRAMP participants were much more likely to report maintaining or improving their motivation and exercise commitment.

Students in Colorado’s Pikes Peak region are getting easier access to college through a new Direct Admissions program: partnering school districts, Peak Education, and multiple colleges will offer “yes-only” admissions to students without the usual multi-step application process. This initiative could serve as a model for institutions like Western Colorado University to streamline enrollment and reduce barriers for first-generation and underrepresented students across the state.

Kevin J. Anderson’s novel Nether Station follows astrophysicist Cammie Skoura aboard the starship Lethe on a five-year voyage to study a mysterious wormhole called “Nether,” blending cosmic horror with science fiction as interpersonal tensions grow during the journey. Anderson, who serves as Director of the Graduate Program in Publishing at Western Colorado University, draws on Lovecraftian themes and personal experiences to create a suspenseful, claustrophobic space setting that challenges both characters and readers.

The state has reduced funding for Western Colorado University by over $200,000, a cut that threatens to strain its budget and could impact programs, staff, or services. This reduction comes amid broader discussions about the challenges faced by rural regional institutions in Colorado — like Western — which already deal with higher per-student costs and limited resources compared to larger, urban schools.

A study led by Western Colorado University grad student Chloe Beaupré found that in the Gunnison Basin, elk tend to avoid trails and human traffic—especially when trails are busy—showing a noticeable drop in elk activity within about 655 meters of trails. Mule deer, on the other hand, do not appear to be deterred by proximity to trails and are more likely to be near trails with high usage, possibly because predators avoid those same trails.

Western proudly reflects on Rachel Cockman’s extraordinary journey—from growing up mushing dogs in remote Cantwell, Alaska, to leading the Mountaineers as team captain and surpassing 1,000 career points while earning RMAC honors. Now, as a standout graduate, she is venturing onto the international stage by signing with Clube dos Galitos in Aveiro, Portugal, where she will embark on her professional basketball career.

At Western, we are proud to share CMarie Fuhrman’s reminder that great writing begins with curiosity, openness, and the courage to face difficult truths. As associate director of our Graduate Program in Creative Writing, she invites readers to honor all voices, learn from Native perspectives, and see how storytelling can help dismantle systems of colonial erasure.

Research from Western Colorado University has shown that pickleball is more than a fun game—it delivers measurable health benefits like improved cardiovascular fitness, lower blood pressure, and better cholesterol. These findings highlight how Western’s work in exercise science makes an impact well beyond our campus, influencing wellness practices across the country.

We’re excited to welcome back fraternity life after nearly two decades, with Delta Upsilon returning to campus to foster friendship, character development, and leadership rooted in transparency. This chapter—initiated by students seeking deeper connection and belonging—aims to enrich campus life while promoting mental wellness, community engagement, and the values we hold dear.

At Western Colorado University, Dr. Lance Dalleck and our High Altitude Performance Lab have shown how blood flow restriction (BFR) training can be safely integrated into exercise programs using the FITT framework—frequency, intensity, time, and type. Their research found that just six weeks of short BFR sessions can raise VO₂max by about 10% and improve push-up performance by 20%, demonstrating how efficient training methods can deliver significant results.

Western Colorado University is launching the new School of the Arts in fall 2025, uniting art, graphic design, music, theatre, and film under one creative hub. This collaboration will give students richer hands-on experiences, open the door to new programs, and strengthen Western’s role as a destination for future artists.

Western is excited to launch our new School of the Arts this fall, bringing together art, graphic design, music, theatre, and film in one dynamic, creative hub. This collaboration will enrich hands‑on learning, inspire interdisciplinary projects, and elevate Western’s visibility as a vibrant destination for aspiring artists .

Western Colorado University researchers found surprising patterns in the Upper Gunnison Basin, where elk steer clear of trails while deer are more likely to move closer to them. The study shows how recreation can affect wildlife in very different ways and reinforces Western’s role in advancing knowledge that supports conservation of our local landscapes.

At Western Colorado University, we’re proud to have contributed to new research showing that even modest increases in aspen forest cover significantly slow the spread of wildfires, with fires spreading much more slowly in areas with at least 25% aspen compared to conifer-dominated forests. Aspens not only act as natural firebreaks by slowing or diverting fires, but their resilience and ecological benefits offer a compelling strategy for protecting communities and land in the face of increasingly extreme fire weather.

Western Colorado University highlights the work of environmental education major Katherine Woolley, who explored the hidden world of forked fungus beetles during her summer as a Naturalist intern. By documenting how males defend their spots and females lay eggs, she shed light on the small but remarkable dramas unfolding in forest ecosystems.

Western Colorado University suggests it could be a good idea to begin the application process during the summer before senior year. This gives students plenty of time to finish an application before the deadline.

Western Colorado University highlights the work of environmental education major Katherine Woolley, who spent her summer as a Naturalist intern observing the secret lives of forked fungus beetles. By documenting behaviors like males guarding their spot and females laying eggs, she revealed small but fascinating details about this little-known woodland species.

Western Colorado University is proud to partner with Colorado State University and the Forest Service on new research exploring how ecosystems respond to wildfire. By analyzing more than 300 fires over 20 years, the study shows that forests with at least 25% aspen cover slow fire spread dramatically, underscoring the important role aspens play in protecting Colorado landscapes.

Western Colorado University’s Clark School of Environment and Sustainability has found that aspen forests play a powerful role in wildfire resilience. Even when they make up only a quarter of a landscape, aspens can slow fire spread to one-third the rate seen in conifer-heavy areas, acting as natural firebreaks that help protect ecosystems and nearby communities.

We’re excited to see Greek life return to campus with the arrival of Delta Upsilon—one of the nation’s oldest fraternities—rekindling opportunities for connection, leadership, and personal growth. Sparked by a group of students seeking deeper belonging, this chapter promises to reshape the student experience by building character, fostering community engagement, and challenging stereotypes about fraternities.

Gunnison, home to Western Colorado University, was named one of Colorado’s seven most beautiful college towns for its breathtaking surroundings and abundant outdoor recreation. Students can enjoy hiking and biking at Hartman Rocks, boating at Curecanti National Recreation Area, and exploring the nearby GMUG National Forest as part of everyday life.

Western Colorado University is proud to spotlight the inaugural Grand Mesa Writers’ Symposium, unfolding August 8–10 in nearby Cedaredge at the Grand Mesa Arts & Events Center—bringing together award‑winning novelist Shelley Read, historian Timothy C. Winegard, and poet Wendy Videlock for readings and engaging workshops rooted in fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. This unique gathering invites our community to deepen its creative craft through both immersive sessions and intimate “Office Hours” with these celebrated regional and Western Slope authors.

We’re proud that our researchers at Western’s Clark School, in collaboration with Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service, have provided concrete evidence showing that aspen-dominated forests—those with at least 25% aspen—can slow wildfire spread to just about a third of the rate seen in landscapes with minimal aspen cover, and that aspens often appear at fire perimeters, effectively acting as natural firebreaks, even under extreme fire weather. This insight highlights the potential for promoting aspen through land management strategies—including prescribed burns or planting—to safeguard communities while preserving habitat and aesthetic value.

Western Colorado University alumnus Ariston Awitan (’21, MBA ’24) has launched the IV Coffee Trailer, a mobile café serving the Gunnison Valley and Crested Butte, blending his love for coffee with a passion for community connection. Drawing on years of experience at local favorite Tributary Coffee Roasters, Awitan and his partner, artist Bailey Nickel, are building a loyal following while creating a welcoming space for conversation and camaraderie.

Research led by Western’s Clark School of Environment and Sustainability found that areas with aspen cover of at least 25% saw wildfire spread at roughly one-third the rate of those with under 10% aspen, and aspens frequently appeared at fire perimeters, highlighting their role in slowing or redirecting fire paths. These findings suggest that managers could use or restore aspen stands—through planting or prescribed burns—as natural “green fuel breaks” to protect communities and sensitive landscapes.

This summer, Western student Katherine Woolley—serving as a naturalist intern with the Cable Natural History Museum—sparked delight upon discovering two forked fungus beetles nestled in a polypore on a paper birch stump during an evening forest walk. These elusive creatures, found east of the Mississippi, overwinter in or on shelf fungi, where generations may remain for up to nine years, and their larvae burrow extensive tunnels, sometimes even cannibalizing pupae within.

Western graduate researcher Chloe Beaupré and her team found that elk in the Upper Gunnison Basin strongly avoid areas near trails, especially when human traffic increases, with elk activity declining significantly within about 655 meters of trails. In contrast, mule deer were more often found close to high-traffic trails—highlighting how different ungulate species respond uniquely to recreational disturbance, and underscoring the need for thoughtful trail planning to balance wildlife habitat needs with human recreation.

Western Colorado University alumna Virginia Rankin (MA, Elementary Education) built a 46-year teaching career after defying expectations to pursue higher education, inspiring generations of students to embrace reading. Now retired in Florence, she continues to lead a vibrant life—devouring over 1,000 books since 2022, engaging in community organizations, and encouraging others to travel the world, whether in person or through the pages of a book.

We celebrate Western’s own Eloïse Armour and fellow scholar Malia Naumchik as 2025 recipients of the prestigious Gloria Barron Wilderness Society Scholarship, both advancing vital national forest research—Eloïse examining fire suppression strategies, and Malia exploring plant‑pollinator community dynamics to inform adaptive management despite challenges facing the Forest Service. Their projects embody the next generation of conservation leadership, aiming to strengthen wilderness ecosystem resilience across the American West.

Western’s Director of Theatre, Steven Cole Hughes, is presenting his original two-act musical Singletrack, The Musical for its debut performance on August 1 in Taylor Hall Studio Theatre—a high-energy, ‘80s-inspired sports-drama musical following Mae, a high-school mountain biker torn between winning a pro sponsorship and staying true to herself. Drawing on Hughes’s love of both theater and mountain biking, the show features eight original songs crafted with longtime collaborator Jessica Jackson and includes performances by professional actors alongside Western students.

Western Colorado University is among the grant recipients in Gunnison County from the inaugural round of opioid settlement funds. The Southwest Colorado Opioid Regional Council (SWCORC) allocated $1.5 million for community grants in 2025–26—spanning prevention, treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and law enforcement—with Gunnison Sanctuary Housing receiving $140,000 for a sober living home and WCU also securing funding for its own initiatives.

Researchers at Western Colorado University, in collaboration with CSU and the U.S. Forest Service, have quantified what many have long suspected: aspen forests significantly slow wildfires—fires spread at about one‑third the rate in areas with 25% or greater aspen cover compared to those with less than 10% aspen. The findings also show that aspens are more common at fire perimeters, suggesting they can act as natural firebreaks—highlighting their potential as strategic “green fuel breaks” for protecting communities and sensitive landscapes.

Our collaborative study with Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service shows that aspen forests—thanks to their higher moisture content, elevated canopies, and less flammable composition—can slow or even halt wildfires, acting as natural protective barriers. This phenomenon was notably observed during the 2023 Lowline Fire in Gunnison County, underscoring the potential for using aspen groves as strategic green fuel breaks in fire-prone landscapes.

After four years of creative development, Western’s Director of Theatre, Steven Cole Hughes, is premiering Singletrack, The Musical on August 1 in Taylor Hall Studio Theatre—an energetic, ‘80s‑inspired sports‑drama following Mae, a high school mountain biker torn between securing a sponsorship and staying true to herself. With eight original songs and a blend of professional actors and Western students, the production aims to reignite live theatre in the valley while celebrating Gunnison’s mountain-biking spirit.

Western Colorado University alumna and former professor Shelley Read, author of the internationally acclaimed novel Go as a River, will visit the Wilkinson Public Library in Telluride on August 11 for the annual One Book, One Canyon event. A fifth-generation Coloradan who taught at Western for 27 years, Read draws deeply on her Gunnison roots and love for Colorado landscapes in her writing, and is currently working on a second novel set in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

Our research confirms what many have observed anecdotally: stands of aspen trees significantly slow the spread of wildfires—fires in areas with at least 25% aspen cover move at roughly one-third the speed compared to areas with less than 10% aspen cover. Furthermore, aspens frequently appear along fire perimeters—suggesting they not only decelerate fires but can also redirect or stop their progression—making them promising candidates for natural “green fuel breaks” in wildfire management strategies.

Gunnison is often overlooked, yet it stands out as a vibrant college town where a rich arts culture, local creativity, and Western Colorado University converge with extraordinary access to outdoor adventures—from artful festivals to mountain biking in Hartman Rocks and floating the Gunnison River. This blend of cultural and natural experiences makes Gunnison an unforgettable and understated destination well worth exploring.

Western graduate student Chloe Beaupré—alongside Western faculty and Colorado Parks & Wildlife partners—led a rigorous camera‑based study in the Upper Gunnison Basin that reveals elk avoid high‑traffic trails, exhibiting a significant drop in presence within ~600–655 meters, whereas mule deer tend to appear more frequently near busy trail corridors, likely benefiting from a “human shield” effect. This research highlights WCU’s leadership in science‑based recreation planning and underscores the importance of trail design, seasonal closures, and wildlife‑friendly management to preserve healthy ungulate habitat in Gunnison Valley.

Western researchers from the Clark School of Environment and Sustainability, in collaboration with Colorado State University and the U.S. Forest Service, analyzed over 300 wildfire incidents across the Four Corners region and demonstrated that in landscapes where aspen trees composed at least ~25% of vegetation, wildfires spread approximately one‑third as fast as in areas with less than 10% aspen. The study confirms that aspen stands—due to their moisture-rich foliage, elevated branches, and less flammable chemistry—can serve as natural firebreaks, offering a science-backed strategy for land managers and fire planners to encourage aspen growth as part of wildfire mitigation efforts.

A study led by Western graduate Chloe Beaupré found that elk are far more sensitive to trail-based recreation than mule deer, avoiding areas within 655 meters of high-traffic trails. With support from Western faculty and students, this research underscores the university’s leadership in informing wildlife-friendly land use and sustainable recreation planning across the West.

Western will host a music-infused adaptation of Romeo and Juliet on July 19, blending Shakespearean scenes with contemporary songs in the Quigley bandshell. Featuring Western students, alumni, and community members, the performance reflects the university’s commitment to accessible, interdisciplinary arts experiences that connect campus and community.

New research co-led by Western Colorado University’s Clark School of Environment and Sustainability confirms that aspen forests significantly reduce wildfire spread—even under extreme fire conditions. With key contributions from Western faculty and alumni, the study strengthens the case for using aspen as a natural firebreak and showcases the university’s leadership in climate-resilient forest science.

Western Colorado University’s MFA faculty member Erica Reid will join fellow award-winning poets at the upcoming “Poetry Rodeo” in Fruita, celebrating voices of the American West. Reid’s participation highlights Western’s strong presence in the national literary scene, with back-to-back Donald Justice Poetry Prize winners from the Western Slope.

Kathy Lockhart, an alumna of Western Colorado University, was named one of the Top 50 Women Chief Accounting Officers of 2025 by Women We Admire. As CAO of Noodles & Company, Lockhart brings decades of leadership experience and credits her foundation at Western for helping launch a career that continues to impact the finance world.