Skip to content

Cottonwood 14ers Visit The Colorado State Capitol

Colorado will be marking the 150th anniversary of our entrance into the Union. As the Centennial State, Colorado is the only state to observe twin anniversaries. Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) commemorates this milestone with the Creative Capitol Colorado’s Fourteeners Exhibition showcasing the natural beauty of Colorado’s unique landscape with an exhibition of prints of 53… Read more »

Changemakers Enjoy a Warm, Cozy Sleep in Quinzees

What It Takes to Sleep in Quinzees: A Changemakers Backcountry Journey of Grit, Snow, and Self-Reliance Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Smile and say “Quinzeeeeee!” Changemakers Outdoor Leadership Corps were all smiles when they finally finished building their quinzees in time to scarf down a late dinner and crawl… Read more »

Changemakers Alumni Gear Up for Snowy Spring Break Hike

The Spring Break Hike was Full of Friendship, Snow Surprises, and Reconnecting with Inspiring Changemakers Alumni Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Our Changemakers Alumni are such cool people. We kicked off our spring break kickoff (see those double kicks?) by going from person to person and getting 2-minute updates… Read more »

A Winter Trimester of Service and Challenge for AXL Academy

Winter Trimester was Filled with Resilience, Discovery, and Student-Led Impact in the Outdoors for AXL Academy CAP Class Written by AXL CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy Middle Schoolers enjoyed a CAP Winter Trimester full of service projects and adventures that challenged students outside of their comfort zone. We kicked off our trimester with a… Read more »

Unique Canyon Campsites with Peak to Peak’s “Purple Elephants”

The “Purple Elephant” Crew Navigated Tricky Routes, Found Perfect Canyon Campsites, and Mastered the Bear Hang on their Backpacking Trip Written by Maeve O’Meara, CI Director of Operations & People. The Peak to Peak Charter School group who called themselves the Purple Elephants set out from the trailhead on Wednesday afternoon with a clear mission:… Read more »

Canyon Backpacking with Peak to Peak’s “Collard Greens”

Canyon Backpacking with the “Collard Greens” Group: Fishing, Fire-Building & Rockfruit Discoveries in Dominguez Canyon Written by CI Field Instructor Shawn Heyland. The Collard Greens group from Peak to Peak Charter School set out on our canyon backpacking adventure on Wednesday afternoon from the Dominguez Canyon Trailhead. Our designated route would take us from the… Read more »

Backcountry Magic with Peak to Peak’s “Big Blue Booty Bears”

The Peak to Peak Charter School Group Dubbed the “Big Blue Booty Bears” Enjoyed Some Backcountry Magic: An Adventure Full of Teamwork, Silly Skits, and Unexpected Moments. Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. The Big Blue Booty Bears group from Peak to Peak Charter School set off toward Big Dominguez… Read more »

Climate Literacy in Action with Apex School on Berthoud Pass

Hands-On Snow Research and Real-World Data Collection Bring Climate Literacy to Life for Students in Colorado’s Winter Landscape Written by CI Field Instructor Shawn Heyland. On a quest to find snow and learn about the impact climate change is having on our winters in Colorado, a class from Apex School in Boulder set out on… Read more »

AXL 7th Graders Brave the Cold for Gaga Ball in the Snow

Gaga Ball in the Snow was One of Many Unique Experiences that AXL 7th Graders Enjoyed During their CAP Overnight at Cal-Wood Written by AXL Academy CAP Instructor Harmony Esqueda. AXL Academy 7th graders were eager for the opportunity to stay in cabins during our CAP overnight trip to Cal-Wood Education Center in Jamestown, CO,… Read more »

Career Bloom: Youth-Focused Career Day Lives Up to Its Name

Career Bloom Event Helped Young People Explore Career Opportunities Written by Erin Angel, CI Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. Our 2026 Partners In the Outdoors Career Day, called Career Bloom, lived up to its name, bringing opportunity, and community to help young people explore their futures. Planned in partnership with Environmental Learning for Kids,… Read more »

Cottonwood Institute
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.