DENVER – The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) today announced the first cohort of higher education institutions to receive the state’s new Basic Needs Campus Designations, recognizing campuses that are leading the way in supporting students’ essential needs so they can succeed in college and beyond.
The Basic Needs Campus Designations highlight institutions that have made a strong, coordinated commitment to addressing student needs such as food security, housing stability, mental health support and access to critical resources. Designations are awarded at two levels—Cornerstone and Comprehensive—based on the depth and breadth of services provided, and the institution’s demonstrated commitment to continuous improvement.
“Meeting students’ basic needs is one of the most effective ways we can improve outcomes across higher education,” said JB Holston, executive director of CDHE. “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. Their leadership is critical to building a stronger talent pipeline for Colorado.”
The following institutions have been recognized in the inaugural cohort:
Cornerstone Designation
Institutions receiving the Cornerstone designation 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
Institutions earning the Comprehensive designation demonstrated a fully integrated, campus-wide approach to basic needs, including cross-departmental coordination, data-informed strategies and robust partnerships with community organizations.
- 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
The Basic Needs Campus Designation reflects CDHE’s broader focus on improving student outcomes by addressing the real-life challenges students face while pursuing a credential. Research shows that basic needs insecurity directly impacts retention rates, with 79% of students who stop out citing basic needs challenges or financial issues as primary reasons for leaving.
“Equity requires more than access. It requires the conditions for students to thrive,” said Chief Educational Impact Officer Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein. “As Colorado marks its sesquicentennial and the nation approaches its 250th year, this recognition reflects a continued commitment to the founding promise that education is a pathway to a better life.”
CDHE launched the Basic Needs Campus Designation to recognize institutional leadership, encourage innovation and create a shared framework for advancing student support across Colorado’s higher education system. The department will continue to expand the program and welcomes future cohorts of institutions committed to this work.
Building on what institutions established through Hunger Free and Healthy Minds campus designations, CDHE has broadened its recognition framework to more fully reflect the range of factors that influence a student’s ability to succeed. Housing, transportation, childcare, legal support, financial wellness and access to technology are not secondary considerations—they are fundamental conditions for learning.
The Basic Needs Campus Designation, with its Cornerstone and Comprehensive levels, carries forward the spirit of earlier efforts while acknowledging the more complex realities students navigate every day. Institutions that previously earned Hunger Free or Healthy Minds designations played a critical role in laying the groundwork for this expanded approach.
View more information on the Basic Needs Campus Designation.
About the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Working with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, we support students, advocate and develop policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all. The Department believes every Coloradan should have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities. Read the strategic plan, Building Skills in an Evolving Economy.
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