Learn

The Gunnison Valley only has a population of about 16,000 people total. However, the learning opportunities for individuals of all ages rival many much larger cities in caliber and outright win in terms of intimacy and accessibility. Average educational attainment of our citizens in this Valley is far higher than the state average.

From the Gunnison Observatory and Western State Colorado University in the south end of the Valley to the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory and the Adaptive Sports Center in the north end, opportunities for educational experiences here in the Gunnison Valley are one of our greatest assets.

Western State Colorado University

Part of the well-regarded State University system in Colorado, Western offers a great education at an affordable price. Some of the top programs include geology, exercise science, and the first Outdoor Industry MBA program in the United States.

Gunnison Watershed School District

The Gunnison Watershed School District has top-rated schools on a state-wide and nation-wide scale. Outstanding teachers, rich extracurricular experiences, and community support for education mean that our K-12 students have the opportunity to receive an excellent education here.

Other Educational Opportunities

While the University and the Public School Systems are a huge part of the educational landscape here in the Gunnison Valley, our other unique educational experiences put us ahead of other ski valleys our size. The Gunnison Valley Observatory, Adaptive Sports Center, and Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory all offer great programming for kids and adults.

One Valley Prosperity Project

While most of the educational opportunities detailed above connect us with the larger world and allow us to look outward, the One Valley Prosperity Project offered us an opportunity to look within and learn more about ourselves. The outcome of that project was the One Valley Prosperity Strategy, designed to help us advance the cause of prosperity for all in the Gunnison Valley.