A RiseUp Community High School student rafting on the Arkansas River during the Watershed Project trip

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RiseUp Makes a Splash! A Week of Rafting, Reflection, and Recharging in the Colorado Mountains

From Fish Hatcheries to Fierce Rapids, RiseUp Community High School Students Navigate Nature and Themselves in Leadville. Written by CI Field Instructor Hailey Schmidt. A small group of RiseUp Community High School students spent a wonderful week with Cottonwood Institute, learning about watersheds, getting to know each other better, and experiencing nature’s joys in the… Read more »

AXL 8th grade student holding a bullsnake he found on the overnight trip

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Bullsnakes, Bonfires, and Baby Salamanders: AXL Academy 8th Grade CAP Students Say Farewell with Epic Camping Trip!

AXL Academy 8th Graders Explore, Learn, and Make Memories on Unforgettable Adventure. Written by CI Field Instructor Caroline Paul. That’s a wrap on another great year of Community Adventure Program (CAP) Class at Aurora’s Expeditionary Learning Academy (AXL)! The 8th graders took their final camping trip before their big high school graduation, which was certainly… Read more »

A student speaks at the Outdoor and Environmental Opportunity Fair

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Together for Tomorrow: A Cottonwood-ELK Collaboration Sparks Youth Enthusiasm for Environmental Careers

Inspiring the Next Wave of Environmental Stewards: How This Collaborative Event Is Helping Shape the Future of Outdoor and Environmental Advocacy. Written by Associate Director & Senior Instructor Chelsea Tossing. With a shared vision of empowering young people and fostering a deeper connection with nature, Cottonwood Institute and Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK) brought together… Read more »

14er Selfie at DIA with Ford David Mike

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14ers Watercolor Exhibit Lands At Denver International Airport

  We are excited to announce that the 14ers Portraits watercolor collection by Mike Wilson are now on exhibit at Denver International Airport (DEN) to benefit Cottonwood Institute from March – September 2024. Local artist, Mike Wilson, generously donated his beautiful collection of 53 watercolors of all of the 14ers (peaks over 14,000 feet) in… Read more »

Base Camp Bash

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Base Camp Bash 2024: A Night of Wild Wonder

In a nutshell, 2024’s Base Camp Bash did not fall short of its theme as a “A Night of Wild Wonder.” On the evening of March 2nd, as attendees entered Upper Larimer event space in RiNo, they were greeted with a variety of sensory experiences: the scent of hundreds of fresh cut flowers, the sound… Read more »

CI Staff play a game of of Nutty Squirrels

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Cottonwood Winter Training: Connecting with Nature

A day of community building, thoughtful discussion, and hands-on learning to start the year intentionally. Written by Iona Kelly. On January 7th, 2024 Cottonwood Institute held an Instructor Winter Training day in the beautiful Camp Patiya. It was held with a focus on our various programs and how to support the creation of opportunities for… Read more »

Elisha Roberts

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Board Spotlight: Elisha Roberts

We are excited to introduce you to our newest Cottonwood Institute (CI) Board Member, Elisha Roberts, who joined the CI Board in October 2023. Read on to learn more about Elisha! What is your story? Where did you grow up and how did you get to where you are today? I was born and raised… Read more »

Cottonwood Institute Founder and ED participates in an ELK community event

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Building Community Through Engagement

How cultivating connections has strengthened our collective impact. Written by Director of Strategic Partnerships, Teagan Papke. At Cottonwood Institute, our passion goes beyond our core mission. We’re dedicated to weaving a tapestry of strong, authentic relationships within our community. This means proactively seeking volunteer opportunities, attending community events, supporting current collaborations and initiating new ones,… Read more »