We are so, so excited to share our Impact Report 2025-2026 and reflect on all that we accomplished this past year. Here’s a quick story from the report: On a warm Spring evening this past May, one of our students from Angevine Middle School in Lafayette, CO climbed to the top of a large hill… Read more »
The Perseids Meteor Shower Prompted an Alumni Gathering Full of Commaraderie and Conversation about Dark Skies, Light Pollution, and the Value of Seeing the Stars Written by CI Alum and Assistant Instructor Elizabeth Fero. On the night of August 12th, Cottonwood Alumni gathered at Lefthand Trail in Longmont to watch the annual Perseids meteor shower…. Read more »
Former AXL Academy CAP Students Gathered as an Alumni Community for the First Time to Enjoy an Afternoon of Fishing in Aurora Written by Hannah Posedel, AXL Academy CAP Instructor. Cottonwood Institute launched their first ever Alumni event for AXL Academy Community Adventure Program (CAP) students at Jewel Wetlands Park in Aurora in early August… Read more »
Students Explored Wildfire Impacts, Built Community, and Got Hands-On with Wildfire Education During a Three-Day Adventure with Horizons at Colorado Academy Written by Sara Grillo, CAP Instructor & Events Coordinator. Our three-day, two-night adventure with Horizons at Colorado Academy focused on wildfires, a particularly relevant topic this summer as fires continue to impact communities across… Read more »
Our 8th Annual Golf Invitational Teed Up a Record-Breaking Day of Community, Friendly Competition, and Support for Getting Students Outside This year’s Golf Invitational at Harvard Gulch brought in record attendees and record fundraising. On Saturday, August 8th, 2026, 150 golfers filled the tee sheet at Harvard Gulch Golf Course for the 8th annual Golf… Read more »
During Watershed Internship Workshops Students Explore the Connections Between Waterways, Land, Community & Change Written by Monique Murillo, CI Field Instructor. Over the course of four different days, students participating in our Watershed Internship Workshops explored the different buildings at CSU Spur campus as well as waterways outdoors. Shane, the Executive Director of Confluence Colorado,… Read more »
An Intergenerational Family Camping Experience Gave Young Leaders the Chance to Share their Skills, Connect with their Families, and Grow Together Written by Sara Grillo, CAP Instructor & Events Coordinator. After spending the past few weeks learning how to camp, leading a backyard overnight for younger kids, and putting their new outdoor skills into action,… Read more »
Nature Connection Grows for Lafayette Youth through Shared Outdoor Experiences During the Lafayette Explore Outside Program Written by Erin Angel, Senior Instructor, Changemakers & Alumni Coordinator. What do you get when you bring a group of Lafayette youth (middle school students) together for outdoor adventures, new experiences, plenty of laughter, and a little bit of… Read more »
With Plenty of Camaraderie, Team Spirit, and Hard-Fought Matches, The Throwdown Fundraising Event Brought the Cottonwood Community Together for a Day of Friendly Competition Written by Lahja Wise, Throwdown “Bracket Master” and Changemaker Alum. It was a beautifully cool morning with an ominous forecast of near 100 degrees when the contestants arrived at McGregor Square… Read more »
Students Discovered how Hydrological Learning can Flow into Unforgettable Adventures while Exploring Colorado’s Waterways Written by Cooper Perrine, Cottonwood Institute’s 2026 Rookie of the Year Instructor. This 4-day extravaganza of hydrological learning and adventure started where most great adventures do: the parking lot. After everyone found their way to the CSU Spur drop-off spot and… Read more »
