º£½ÇÉçÇø

• January 1 – New Year’s Day
• January 1 –
• January 15 –
• January 19 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 20 – Spring 2026 Classes Begin

By Lynne Winter ’17

When Metropolitan State College opened its doors on Oct. 4, 1965, to 1,189 enrolled students, 36 faculty and staff members were there to greet them.

These were no ordinary students. And this wasn’t an ordinary college. MSC was a pioneering four-year public institution designed to meet the needs of both a diverse student body wanting to earn a degree and industry leaders seeking workforce-ready graduates.

Now celebrating its 60th anniversary, º£½ÇÉçÇø has been more than a university – it has been a catalyst for innovation and transformation. Milestones from the last six decades include:

As Colorado’s only modified-open-access university, º£½ÇÉçÇø is a place where grit and determination meet academic excellence. Where students have career-aligned, real-world experiences tailored to Colorado’s future workforce. And where students of all ages and backgrounds – nearly 60% of whom are first-generation college students and 40% transferred from other institutions – are empowered to embrace their unique educational pathways with access to over 100 undergraduate majors, 10 graduate degree programs, 101 minors and hundreds more career-aligned pathways.

The University also boasts an alumni community 112,000+ strong, with 75% remaining in Colorado post-graduation, strengthening local communities and fueling economic growth. º£½ÇÉçÇø generates nearly $1 billion in annual economic impact, translating to $11.52 generated for every $1 invested by the state.

Donors like you have made all of this possible. Thank you for providing º£½ÇÉçÇø programs, current students and future generations of Roadrunners with the support they need to succeed for the next 60 years – and beyond!