DENVER — June 9, 2026 — The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) has announced the first cohort of colleges and universities to receive the state’s new Basic Needs Campus Designations, recognizing institutions across Colorado that are taking a comprehensive, coordinated approach to supporting students’ essential needs.

The designations highlight campuses that have demonstrated a strong commitment to addressing student food security, housing stability, mental health support, and access to critical resources. Awards are granted at two levels — Cornerstone and Comprehensive — based on the depth and breadth of services provided and the institution’s commitment to continuous improvement.

Cornerstone Designation recognizes institutions that have established key foundational supports and are actively building toward a more comprehensive model:

  • Colorado Mountain College
  • Colorado State University Pueblo
  • Red Rocks Community College

Comprehensive Designation recognizes institutions that demonstrated a fully integrated, campus-wide approach to basic needs, including cross-departmental coordination, data-informed strategies, and robust community partnerships:

  • Aims Community College
  • Arapahoe Community College
  • Colorado School of Mines
  • Colorado State University Fort Collins
  • Community College of Aurora
  • Fort Lewis College
  • Front Range Community College
  • Metropolitan State University of Denver
  • Pikes Peak State College
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  • University of Colorado Denver
  • University of Northern Colorado
  • Western University

“Meeting students’ basic needs is one of the most effective ways we can improve outcomes across higher education,” said CDHE Executive Director JB Holston. “These campuses are demonstrating what it looks like to take a comprehensive, data-informed approach to student success — breaking down barriers, aligning resources, and centering equity in their work.”

Research cited by CDHE shows that basic needs insecurity directly impacts student retention, with 79% of students who stop out citing basic needs challenges or financial issues as primary reasons for leaving. The designation framework builds on Colorado’s earlier Hunger Free and Healthy Minds campus designation programs, expanding recognition to reflect a broader range of factors — including transportation, childcare, legal support, financial wellness, and technology access — that influence a student’s ability to succeed.

“Equity requires more than access. It requires the conditions for students to thrive,” said CDHE Chief Educational Impact Officer Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein. “This recognition reflects a continued commitment to the founding promise that education is a pathway to a better life.”

CDHE plans to continue expanding the program and welcomes future cohorts of institutions committed to advancing student basic needs support across Colorado’s higher education system.

For more information on the Basic Needs Campus Designation program, visit the Colorado Department of Higher Education website.

About the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Working with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, CDHE supports students and develops policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all Coloradans. The department believes every Coloradan should have access to education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and strengthen their communities.