DENVER – Nov. 7, 2024: In recognition of First Generation Celebration Week, the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) announces the new First Generation-Serving Campus designation for higher education institutions across the state. The U.S. Department of Education defines a first generation college student as someone whose parents did not complete a bachelor's degree.
“The new First Generation-Serving Campus designation helps connect students to higher education that will help build and advance exciting and fulfilling careers to ensure Colorado continues supporting all learners,” said Governor Polis.
In 2024, Colorado lawmakers passed House Bill 1082 (sponsored by Rep. Rick Taggart, Rep. Javier Mabrey, Senator Janice Rich and Senator James Coleman), which establishes a designation for colleges and universities that enroll a higher-than-average number of first generation students. In 2021, about 37% of students enrolled in Colorado's public higher education institutions were first generation. The designation acknowledges institutions whose average first generation resident undergraduate student population equals or exceeds the statewide average first generation undergraduate student population for three years (using the most recent available data). The Department also recognizes institutions that are members of the FirstGen Forward Network.
CDHE collects data from Colorado institutions and uses the First Gen Dashboard, which displays first generation student enrollment numbers and percentages by institution with disaggregation by institution name, institution type, gender and race/ethnicity.
According to the data, the following Colorado public institutions of higher education have an average resident first generation undergraduate student population above the statewide average for the previous three years of available data and therefore qualify for CDHE’s First Generation-Serving Institution Designation:
Two-year public institutions
Aims Community College
Colorado Northwestern Community College
Community College of Aurora
Community College of Denver
Front Range Community College
Lamar Community College
Morgan Community College
Northeastern Junior College
Otero College
Pikes Peak State College
Pueblo Community College
Red Rocks Community College
Trinidad State College
Four-year public institutions
Colorado Mesa University
Colorado State University Pueblo
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Colorado Denver
University of Northern Colorado
Additionally, schools that are members of the FirstGen FORWARD Network are automatically eligible for CDHE’s First Generation-Serving Institution Designation. The following schools qualify:
Two-year public institutions
Aims Community College
Arapahoe Community College
Four-year public institutions
Adams State University
Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Fort Lewis College
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Colorado Springs
University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado
Western Colorado University
“Congratulations to our schools that honor and uplift first generation students. With the new First Generation-Serving Institution Designation, we’re closing equity gaps and championing marginalized communities,” said Dr. Angie Paccione, CDHE executive director. “This designation is just one of the many ways we demonstrate our work, recognize our partners and create brighter futures.”
While the enrollment of first generation students is an important first step, it is equally important to ensure that first generation students receive the support they need to be successful in higher education. CDHE strives to elevate first generation student experiences and close equity gaps so that first generation students have the same opportunities as their peers. In future years, CDHE will showcase additional postsecondary success measures with data disaggregation so that persistence and completion rates of first generation students (and other student populations) can be compared across Colorado institutions of higher education.
CDHE will update this list annually 30 days after the public release of enrollment, retention and graduation data from each state institution of higher education.
For more information, visit the First Generation-Serving Institutions webpage.
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