The designation recognizes institutions that exceed the statewide average enrollment of first generation students.
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
“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.