Claim Our Space was built through a nontraditional, iterative process designed to reflect how Colorado College works and evolves across programs, divisions, and experiences—rather than through a single top-down planning exercise.

Project 2024

A community-wide foundation 

Project 2024 was a multi-year, community-wide effort launched as Colorado College approached its 150th anniversary. Modeled in part on the institutional reflection that led to the Block Plan, it became a foundational influence on this plan.

Over three years, Project 2024 convened students, faculty, staff, trustees, alumni, parents, and families to explore two guiding questions: 

  • How can CC do what it does better? 
  • How can CC best meet the challenges facing higher education? 

This work moved from broad community listening to structured proposal development and, in many areas, implementation. It surfaced enduring themes that directly shape this strategic plan, including: 

  • Strengthening connection across the College 
  • Reducing unnecessary complexity 
  • Reinforcing liberal learning 
  • Preparing for demographic, financial, and technological change 
Divisional Strategic Plans

Building From the Ground Up

Equally important, Claim Our Space was shaped by a divisional strategic planning process launched in the fall of 2024, with biannual updates leading to the launch of the comprehensive plan. 

Each division developed its own forward-looking roadmap grounded in day-to-day practice and operational realities. Taken together, these plans created a bottom-up architecture—ensuring the final strategy reflects the priorities, expertise, and aspirations of academic and administrative units across CC. 

Today, divisional plans remain active tools for decision-making and accountability, celebrating the work underway across the College while helping divisions adapt to emerging opportunities and challenges. 

COMMUNITY VOICES

Additional perspectives and feedback 

Over the past several years, Claim Our Space has been informed by ongoing engagement with our CC community through structured and informal feedback processes. These include, but are not limited to:  

  • Student, staff, faculty, and alumni climate surveys  
  • Campus-wide conversations through the Work of the College Series, Spring and Fall Conferences, and other avenues 
  • Dedicated advisory groups, including the President’s Council (students), Staff Council, Faculty Executive Council, Alumni Association Council, and Parents Council