James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus
LETTER FROM
CHANCELLOR JEREMY HAEFNER
I am thrilled to share with you the myriad ways the University of Denver continues to invest in the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus to provide a unique holistic education and deeply memorable experiences to our students. Also, we are proud of all the ways we are serving the public good and acting as responsible stewards of the land so it can be enjoyed by many for decades to come.
Since its launch, the Kennedy Mountain Campus has served as a singular and transformative destination for our students to immerse themselves in the inspirational backdrop of the Rocky Mountain West, connect with their peers and mentors, and challenge themselves to discover how bold and courageous they can be. The effects of their time at the KMC extend far beyond their visit. They leave with new lifelong friendships, a deeper understanding of who they are and what they value, and a profound connection to this state we all love.
It is with support from donors like you that make all this possible. Your generosity will impact the lives of today’s young people and give them the skills and experiences they need to be the character-driven leaders the world needs.
I hope you find the updates, stories and plans contained in this report as affirming and powerful as I do. On behalf of DU and all our students from today and generations into the future, thank you.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Haefner
Chancellor
University of Denver
A NOTE FROM STU HALSALL
It is my great pleasure to share the 2023-24 Annual Report with you today.
Reflecting on the past year, I continue to be honored to work alongside an incredible team who is making the vision for the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus a reality. Additionally, our students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of DU continue to explore all the opportunities this wonderful new university resource offers. In this second year of operation of the Kennedy Mountain Campus, we built upon our strong foundations from year one; by refining, enhancing, and expanding existing programs, while also developing and implementing new experiences for the DU community. We witnessed greater collaboration, improved experiences, and outstanding accomplishments. We were fully able to utilize our completed project work from our phase I enhancements, while also starting a new set of projects (phase II) and exploring potential projects that will continue to expand and enhance the experiences that we can offer.
Over the past two years, we have impacted over 4,500 members of our DU community by offering a unique opportunity to experience the outdoors, to leverage nature as a medium for education and experience, to benefit from the outdoor healing effect, and to utilize this unique environment to explore oneself and one’s relation to others.
The breakdown of that impact is as follows:
- 3,198 DU Students
- 347 DU Faculty and Staff
- 122 DU Alumni
- 848 Friends of DU
On the following pages, you will see example after example of how we have successfully advanced the programming and operations of the Kennedy Mountain Campus this year, continuing our trajectory toward a robust, differentiating DU experience that is also inclusive and self-sustaining. From signature programming such as First Ascent to exciting additions like our new, world-class via ferrata courses, there are many exciting updates to share. We also worked diligently to complete the Kennedy Mountain Campus Long-Term Plan with our partner Cushing Terrell and continued work on our phase II capital projects.
DU and the Kennedy Mountain Campus’ greatest attribute has been our continued ability to pull together as a team when the demands placed upon us are at their most challenging. This was again tested regularly during our second year of operation, and I am very fortunate to lead a team and collaborate with colleagues who truly are operating at the top of their game. The team showed amazing dedication, agility, and work ethic, whilst building the energies and connectivity of working together to provide an outstanding experience to our students, employees, and guests.
Of course, none of the above would have been possible without donors like you. We are honored and humbled to be able to provide these transformative experiences to our students, and we look forward to continuing to build upon the foundation created this year. Thank you!
Best Regards,
Stu Halsall
Associate Vice Chancellor
Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness, & Recreation
STUDENT PROGRAMS
First Ascent
During the Fall of 2023, the University of Denver executed the second iteration of First Ascent, an immersive campus tradition, at the Kennedy Mountain Campus as part of the 4D holistic approach to education. This experience is open to all new undergraduate DU students and offered starting the weekend prior to the start of the fall term through Week 6. The program again successfully achieved its intended objectives while making notable improvements impacting student satisfaction and program execution because of implemented changes and enhancements from fall 2022.
With the majestic backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, first-year DU students embarked on a 3-day, 2-night weekend of adventure, exploration, connection, and learning. During each First Ascent weekend, students were immersed in the DU 4D Experience through a series of activities ranging from hiking, climbing, forest bathing, equestrian trail riding, yoga, and meditation to “4D Experience by Design” reflection labs, arts and crafts, s’mores reflection around the Brandon and Wendy Johnson Campfire Circle, and a challenge course that promoted personal and group achievement.
Students who participate in First Ascent:
- Build new connections
- Foster a greater sense of community
- Step outside of their comfort zone
- Participate in self-reflection and exploration
- Develop a greater understanding of what is important to them
“To me, 4D means growth and reflection. It means taking what I know about myself so far and applying it to the next stage of my life and beyond.”
Implemented Program Enhancements
Program roles and responsibilities were clarified between New Student & Family Programs staff, the 4D Experience staff, and the Kennedy Mountain Campus staff.
Specialized staff preparation and training for our 4D Peer Mentors, Adventure Experience team, and Professional Staff support.
A new registration process and system via Crimson Connect and adjustment of the program offerings and schedule. The new registration process allowed for student self-selection of program trip date, waitlist management, electronic AOR form, registration confirmations, and reminders to enhance communication along with a check in system.
Program enhancements included:
- An intentionally coordinated Challenge Program focused on communication, collaboration, and cooperation.
- A newly developed rock-climbing area and routes.
- A partnership with Sundance Trails (property across the street) to offer students the experience of horseback riding.
- Changing the previous year’s stand-alone 4D reflection component to an embedded model that integrated the 4D dimensions throughout the experience including coordinated reflection activities and touchpoints.
“This experience has helped me become more adventurous so in future activities I will not be as scared to put myself out there.”
Once again, the program successfully achieved its intended objectives while making notable improvements impacting student satisfaction and program execution because of implemented changes and enhancements from fall 2022. In total, we served 817 students (10% increase) and 84 4D peer mentors (non-first-year students) for a total of 901 students in the program.
“This experience really solidified the idea that community is an integral part of my success as a student.”
First Ascent Weekends Highlights
Skills Development: Results were very similar to 2022-2023, students stepped outside their comfort zone and had opportunities to reflect. Additionally, we implemented our first full adaptive experience for Mason Branstrator, DU 1st Year Student. We continued to receive outstanding satisfaction scores (8.09/10.0) from our students each weekend that allowed us to continually improve the First Ascent and the Kennedy Mountain Campus experience. Students indicated that the First Ascent program was effective in helping students build new connections, encouraging them to step outside of their comfort zones, and fostering a greater sense of community.
Satisfaction: Results were very similar to 2022-2023, with the largest improvements made in communication and scheduling. One of the most important things we learned from our students was related to program capacity. We had one weekend with an expanded cohort of 160 students, and we could not support the desired experience and intended program outcomes as our outdoor activity infrastructure could not provide enough opportunities for students to be engaged in the program. This was a great lesson learned that was also reinforced by our work in the Kennedy Mountain Campus Long-Term Plan. To be able to serve all our first year and transfer students, our goal is for the Kennedy Mountain Campus infrastructure (lodging and outdoor activity experiences) to be able to support 200 students plus staff per session.
Outdoor Experience
Our outdoor experience team and program are central to our First Ascent program with 91% of students reporting that they are “excellent” or “good”. The early part of the year was focused on improving the program design for First Ascent that could also be utilized with other groups throughout the year. This included:
- Repairing the Challenge Course so it could be functional and pass inspection and then the design and development of a challenge course program in which students must focus on communication, collaboration, and cooperation. This was a large undertaking as significant time had to be invested in modifying a challenge course that was designed for Girl Scouts, into one that can engage and challenge a college student.
- Development of new bouldering and climbing experiences on the Kennedy Mountain Campus. In year one, the program utilized the Cliff Lake climbing area, but with dedicated work from the Outdoor Experience team we now have multiple bouldering and climbing opportunities ranging from single pitch to multi-pitch climbing opportunities. These enhancements allowed us to develop greater progression and challenge with students allowing us to stretch their comfort zone.
- Completion of our Outdoor Leader Lab which provided experiential training to our outdoor experience student staff and outside contractors on how to lead, facilitate, and integrate the 4D experience into our program and experience offerings.
- Completion of the design of two (2) via ferrata courses with DU student, Reed Rowley, Real Estate and Construction Management, and owner of Via Ferrata works. The designs focused on a course in the Cliff Lake area of the property and one in the inholding area. These additions will be featured at First Ascent in Fall 2024.
In addition to the support of First Ascent, the Outdoor Experience team provides a number of programs and services to the DU community, including certification programs (Wilderness First Responder, Wilderness First Aid, and Leave No Trace), climbing clinics and classes, teambuilding and challenge programs, trail building and preservation programs, outdoor equipment rental, Outdoor Experience Weekend, and guidance to a multitude of outdoor clubs at DU (Alpine Club, Climbing Club, Mountain Biking Club, Backpacking Club, Freeride Club, and more). Below are highlights for each of these programs and services.
“When learning something, it requires patience, doing something scary, instruction, guided practice, and a mentor. I can use this for my academic life such as studying or getting better at writing.”
Certification Programs
In partnership with Desert Mountain Medicine and the American Mountain Guides Association we have continued to build our certifications program for the benefit of the DU community. During the past year, all Kennedy Mountain Campus and key First Ascent staff completed the Wilderness First Responder program. Additionally, all leadership within the Outdoor Club community completed their Wilderness First Aid certification, and we are currently in discussion with DU’s enterprise risk management and study abroad program to train all faculty and staff who go with students abroad as responders. Our current limitation with this program is instructor capacity and as we expand our professional team this next year, we aim to double the capacity.
Climbing Clinics and Classes
Multiple climbing clinics and classes have been offered to the DU community at the main DU Campus, at the Kennedy Mountain Campus, and at the Fairplay Ice Park. The classes are foundational in nature, teach core belaying and climbing skills allowing for students to engage with the program from a beginner to an advanced level.
Teambuilding and Challenge Programs
The teambuilding and challenge program has been one of the most requested experiences by DU groups that have visited the Kennedy Mountain Campus. This past year, the program served the Undergraduate Student Government, the Graduate Student Government, 4D Experience Weekend experiences, First Ascent, Joint E-Board Council, Academic Weekend experiences, Club Sports Leadership, the Senior Sendoff program, multiple DU divisions and departments, and multiple outside groups. As we shared earlier, the challenge course has been repaired and the program reimagined, but we are still limited in the numbers of students and guests we can serve per three (3) hour session (20). One of key initiatives as we move forward is to expand and improve the challenge course on the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Trail Building and Preservation Programs
The Outdoor Experience is dedicated to preserving and enhancing outdoor spaces by creating and maintaining sustainable trails. As a DU program, we combine education, community engagement, and environmental stewardship to develop and maintain trails that promote both recreation and conservation. Our program brings together students, faculty, staff, and community members who share a passion for the outdoors and a commitment to preserving natural environments. Through hands-on trail building and maintenance projects, we provide opportunities for individuals to actively contribute to the creation and upkeep of trails in our region.
This year, our Outdoor Experience team has been able to design the hiking and mountain biking trails. The team involved students in gathering feedback from multiple academic and campus groups to help the development of these trails. We have now begun building the trails and have both a contractor and a student team (12) that will be employed this summer to build the first part of this trail system. As we move forward, we will implement programs with our outdoor clubs, other clubs, organizations, and departments, and special events around opportunities such as Earth Day to expand our trail preservation initiatives.
“Knowing how to take time for myself and reflect, and how I can more effectively do that.”
Outdoor Equipment Rental
The Outdoor Experience team has been acquiring equipment that serves our operations and programs at the Kennedy Mountain Campus. Our longer-term goal is to build out an outdoor equipment rental opportunity at both the main campus and at the Kennedy Mountain Campus. This will allow students to check-out equipment for various activities ranging from camping to paddleboarding while also having a dedicated location to be fitted for equipment, receive instruction and education, and more. We have designated a site in the Bucksbaum Outdoor Gateway at the Kennedy Mountain Campus and have completed some preliminary designs for the location. Additionally, we are in discussion with university leadership on a potential location on the main campus that can provide these services to students, while also highlighting the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Outdoor Experience Weekend
Our inaugural Outdoor Experience Weekend in May, was the Outdoor Experience’s largest single special event of the year, spanning three days and two nights, it transformed the Kennedy Mountain Campus into a climbing and via ferrata mecca with 44 DU students (1st year through graduate students) celebrating the growing outdoor adventure opportunities available.
The program saw DU students experience climbing the via ferrata courses for the first time, backpacking clinics, and more taught by Outdoor Experience Student Staff (Peer students) along with nightly outdoor movie showings, indoor/outdoor skill and gear clinics, and more. Feedback from our students was exceptional with several students sharing that it was “life changing”. As we move forward, our plan is to offer a fall and spring outdoor experience weekend.
Outdoor Clubs @ DU
The Outdoor Experience team works with a wide range of DU students for different experiences and needs. DU’s outdoor clubs and organizations have been key groups for the Outdoor Experience team to work with. Our team gained enhanced safety and risk management protocols and knowledge, provided mentorship, coaching and guidance to club leaders, and provided designated trainings and experiences for these organizations. A really pleasing development has been the transition of our affinity based outdoor clubs and organizations from the cultural center on the main campus to the Outdoor Experience team. A total of 623 students participate in our outdoor clubs.
“Education is found everywhere, especially outside the classroom.”
Academic Programs and Research
The Kennedy Mountain Campus provides a rich environment for academic programs and research, as well as other academic experiences as highlighted in this short video put together by students from the Daniels College of Business Customer Experience Course.
In partnership with DU’s Provost Office, we have continued to host a multitude of academic experiences in the fall, winter, and spring quarters. A total of 166 DU students, faculty, and staff attended these experiences this past year, which have ranged from art programs to business courses, from leadership development programs to natural and conservation programs, and more. Most of these programs have utilized the three days, two-night’s stay at the Kennedy Mountain Campus, but some groups have provided extended experiences for interterm courses. Our longest program to-date will be this summer when we will host our longest experience with students, an academic course titled “The Ways of Seeing and Sensing” with 22 students and 3 faculty spending three weeks at the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Additionally, this past year saw the Kennedy Mountain Campus start its first two research projects:
Studying Atmospheric Trends
In collaboration with DU’s Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Professor Alex Huffman, particulate sampler equipment has been installed in various locations at the Kennedy Mountain Campus, that will collect data that is used to understand trends in atmospheric conditions. The data that is collected is sent to the DU main campus where undergraduate students will use it as part of their thesis and will help them to study environmental changes, detect wildfires, and more.
The goal is to expand additional research equipment including a weather sensor and a meteorological station which will enhance research opportunities at the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Studying Mountain Lion and Snow Leopards
Receiving approval from DU’s research protocol review, this project would be a collaboration between DU and the Rocky Mountain Cat Conservancy, Colorado State University Drone Center, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Front Range Community College, City of Fort Collins Natural Areas Department, and the Snow Leopard Conservancy. The study would conduct advanced thermal drone research on the mountain lion populations in the Roosevelt National Forest, north of the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
4D Signature Weekends and Student Organizations Excursions
This year, we continued to engage students through themed weekends tied to DU’s 4D Experience and day trips and weekend experiences for a wide variety of student clubs and organizations.
The 4D Wellness Weekend and our Relax and Recharge series promotes wellness through a blend of outdoor recreation and adventure, mindfulness practices, wellness coaching, and time to just be in the mountains. These programs are a collaborative effort with the Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness & Recreation, and Health Promotion teams at the University of Denver. Three weekend programs were offered with 76 students attending.
The 4D Career and Lives of Purpose Weekend has been intentionally designed for students to network and explore opportunities with their peers and DU alumni to identify career opportunities and how each person can pursue a life of purpose. These programs are a collaborative effort with the Kennedy Mountain Campus, 4D Experience, and Career Services teams at the University of Denver. Two weekend programs were offered with 54 students attending the first weekend. The final program occured on June 22-24, 2024.
The 4D Character Development Weekend is designed for students to explore character through challenges, workshops, and activities to build the foundation for the future. This program has been a collaboration between the Kennedy Mountain Campus, 4D Experience, Chancellors Office, and Athletics. We hosted 1st year student-athletes for the program on June 29- July 1, 2024.
Outside of our 4D Experience Signature Weekends we have worked to expand access to the Kennedy Mountain Campus for more DU students. Obviously, from the launch we have heard that more students and more organizations want to access the experiences at the property. This year, we were mindful to expand opportunities to consider DU students who have not had an experience. These included:
Graduate Student Government (GSG) – GSG worked with the Kennedy Mountain Campus team to create an alternate spring break for graduate students. The weekend program was offered at the end of the winter quarter and saw a diverse group of students come together. A total of 53 graduate students attended, and the goal is to develop this program to be a tradition at DU.
Undergraduate Student Government (USG) – USG worked with the Kennedy Mountain Campus team in January to host a leadership development program. The leaders braved the cold temperatures (-24 degrees) to kick off their winter quarter. The program focused on communication, collaboration, and cooperation. A total of 27 leaders attended the program.
Study Abroad Students – In collaboration with DU’s Provost Office, our study abroad students from fall participated in a weekend to reflect on their learnings, how they integrate back into life and studies at DU, and to take time to relax and recharge.
Club Sports Leadership – Our club sports leadership participated in a leadership development program aimed at club officers who are transitioning into the leadership of each of the club sports. At total of 63 students participated in the program.
Senior Sendoff Weekend – As part of the senior week activities at DU, our seniors who had not had a chance to experience the Kennedy Mountain Campus were offered the opportunity to experience a program. A total of 38 seniors attended the weekend experience.
Joint E-Board – The Joint E-Board is a collective group of student organizations that represent different affinities at DU. The program was modeled to provide a safe space for these organizations to transition their leadership from current to new leaders. A total of 26 student leaders attended this weekend.
A key learning with our 4D Signature Experience weekends and our Student Organization Excursions has been our group sizes. We see the group sizes on these experiences remain smaller and intimate, making for an engaging, collaborative, and highly experiential program. As we move forward, we will work to align these opportunities in the annual calendar to scaffold groups that can complement each other, ensuring effectiveness and efficiency of the use of the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
“There should be 2nd ascents and 3rd and then more. It would be great if we knew if there would be a chance to come back regardless of your major.”
CAPITAL PROJECTS
Via Ferrata
This spring, we completed construction of two Via Ferrata courses (Italian for “iron way”) at the Kennedy Mountain Campus. We also worked with the State of Colorado to obtain our operating licenses for each of the courses, allowing us to serve DU students and property guests with these experiences:
- “The Crest” course is an ideal adventure for all skill levels. With a summit elevation of 7,900 feet and set against the picturesque backdrop of Cliff Lake, this route offers a thrilling introduction to via ferrata, and is an ideal adventure for all skill levels.
- “The Cirque” course offers a thrilling array of routes, from intermediate blue square to advanced black diamond challenge and climbs to an elevation of 8,500 feet. The Cirque’s steep 100-foot black diamond “headwall” offers a formidable challenge that will likely push even experienced climbers to their limits.
Embedded in the Via Ferrata is a challenge course for group team building and bonding that tests teamwork and communication skills and gives participants an opportunity to overcome obstacles together and forge stronger connections. This unique team building experience fosters collaboration and camaraderie.
Participant safety is a top priority. Before every adventure, we provide thorough safety briefings to ensure all participants are well-informed and prepared. Our equipment, including lanyards, harnesses, and helmets, undergo regular inspections to meet the highest industry standards. We conduct weekly inspections of the via ferrata, and our design partners at Via Ferrata Works, along with the State of Colorado, conduct yearly assessments to ensure the utmost safety.
The completion of the network of courses marks a groundbreaking achievement as the first of its kind on any college campus worldwide. During our first student experience with the courses, we received feedback that the experience was “life changing”. We look forward to including this experience with several of our programs as well as establishing new programmatic experiences as we move forward. Additionally, these experiences will also support auxiliary revenue development for the property.
Brandon and Wendy Johnson Campfire Circle Gas Firepit
One of the star attractions of the First Ascent program, the Saturday night campfire, has received an environment-friendly upgrade that will ensure enjoyment when fire bans are in place. The Brandon and Wendy Johnson Campfire Circle has been permitted for a propane firepit solution, which was designed and is being built by a DU alum, Keith D’Angelo (MSW ’17). The earthwork was completed by the Kennedy Mountain Campus team and the fire ring, integrated with the DU logo, was installed in June.
The Saturday night campfire holds a special place in the heart of the First Ascent experience. It serves as the perfect natural conclusion to an eventful day of activities. The propane firepit will substantially reduce the risk of wildfire incidents on the campus.
Bucksbaum Outdoor Gateway Equipment Rental Center
We began work on the Bucksbaum Outdoor Gateway equipment rental center. We plan to provide a wide range of high-quality outdoor gear and equipment including mountain bikes, paddleboards, tents, sleeping bags, headlamps, bouldering crash pads, snowshoes, and more. Notably, the Kennedy Mountain Campus has been established as a Kona mountain bike dealer and we have secured mountain bikes to expand the outdoor activity options available to DU students and guests.
This project will allow our team to organize and manage inventory and provide a seamless experience for DU students and guests. Our staff will be trained to provide recommendations for equipment based on activity and skill level and will offer guidance on equipment usage, maintenance, and safety. We will be staging the implementation of these efforts based on philanthropy.
Additionally, we have continued our partnership with VF Corp and North Face to support this operation. We have been able to add exceptional equipment to our inventory at little or no cost based on this relationship. This past year VF Corp and North Face provided over $50,000 of equipment support.
Fire and Evacuation Substation
The fire evacuation substation facility will be a pre- engineered metal building (PEMB) close to the entry of the Kennedy Mountain Campus (KMC). Through a partnership with Glacier View Fire Department, it will house a fire engine, fire tender truck, and wildland fire unit along with university owned and operated evacuation vehicles (used school buses) with the ability to serve all on-property groups and the greater Red Feather Lakes community, if needed. The substation has been designed with the ability to expand and operate off-grid as the tri-state capacity increases, and the initial build will be completed in summer/fall 2024.
This project allows us to support our mandatory evacuation requirements while providing the best possible response to any fire or wildfire situation that could happen on or close to the property. This plan also alleviates the need for us to house charter bus transportation on-site for large group experiences.
Trail System Restoration and Improvement
We have made major progress toward our goal of establishing a robust trail system throughout the KMC property. We have completed the design of hiking trails and mountain biking trails for the property and have begun trail building for the initial addition of four miles of hiking trails. Additionally, we have secured mountain bikes, a warming/weather shelter for the inholding on the Daniel L. Ritchie Trail, completed a trail building school, and acquired equipment to allow for the continued restoration, maintenance, and improvement of the trails system. We have also launched our Mile Makers Annual Fund and developed gift naming opportunities for sections of the trail to be built to continue the development of the trail network.
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Business Development
This past year, we hosted several external groups on the property to generate auxiliary revenue for experiences ranging from corporate meetings to weeklong camp programs. We hosted these groups in windows of time that the property was not being used to serve DU students. Our clients included: Girl Scouts of Colorado, Royal Family Camp, Poudre River Watershed, Colorado State University, Visit Fort Collins, Glacier View Fire Department, Shoshana Ranch, Cushing Terrell and more. We have continued to learn a great deal in this space based on the feedback we have received from these groups and continue to utilize that feedback to make improvements to the Kennedy Mountain Campus experience.
Additionally, we also supported DU divisions and departments who have wanted to experience the Kennedy Mountain Campus. Our colleagues from University Advancement, Admissions, Enterprise Risk Management, University Counsel, Chancellor’s Office, and more have engaged in program opportunities at the Kennedy Mountain Campus. For this type of use, each division or department is charged internal fees.
Website, Technology and Social Media
Thanks to the hard work of the wellness & recreation marketing and communication team, the central DU marketing and communication team, and the Kennedy Mountain Campus team, the Kennedy Mountain Campus website refresh launched in November 2023. du.edu/kennedy-mountain-campus.
We continue to work with DU marketing and communications, DU information technology, and DU events and conferencing to add technology solutions for our business development. We are currently in the building and testing phase of the event management software, Momentus, which is an enterprise platform that DU selected to manage its facility scheduling and event management. We are in the pipeline with DU information and technology to add the enterprise platform Salesforce as our CRM and e-mail marketing platform. Both additions will help the Kennedy Mountain Campus team immensely be more effective and efficient.
Within the Kennedy Mountain Campus, Wellness & Recreation Division, we are adding modules to our RecTrac operating system to allow for via ferrata and other activity reservations, outdoor equipment rental, and lodging and future campground reservations. These module additions are in a variety of stages in terms of building and testing.
Our Wellness & Recreation marketing and communications team has also built out the social media accounts for the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus. We have a presence on Instagram, X, and Facebook.
Community Programs and Partnerships
We continue to be mindful of our local Red Feather Lakes community and the greater Larimer County community. Our focus initially has been on the concern regarding wildfire mitigation and management. We have established partnerships with all local fire departments including Glacier View Fire Department, Red Feather Lakes Fire Department, Crystal Lakes Fire Department, and Livermore Fire Department. The partnership allows each of these departments to conduct trainings, meetings, and events on the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
In addition, we have developed a partnership with Larimer County and the American Red Cross to be a large animal shelter facility and an evacuation facility in a community disaster scenario.
Outside of wildfire management, we have developed community partnerships with the Red Feather Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Visit Fort Collins, Larimer County Conservation District, and the United States Department of Agriculture. The latter two partnerships have tremendous opportunity for the Kennedy Mountain Campus as we begin the process to apply for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) in fall, 2024. This partnership could support forestry stewardship work and stream restoration work on the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Looking Forward
Our work with the Larimer County Conservation District and the United States Department of Agriculture will be key for the Kennedy Mountain Campus. This would be a multi-year project (5 years), that if supported by the EQIP grant, could save the property the investment of millions of dollars over those years. It would also mitigate the property’s largest risk – wildfire, and restore one of its best assets that has been currently lost – the South Lone Pine Creek and its associated wildlife and natural environment. This project would enhance, and combined with other projects, would activate the Mid Camp and Lower Camp portions of the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Continued growth in our revenue-generating programs will be important. We are focusing on several opportunities that include:
- Corporate and Group Outings and Meetings
- Executive Education in partnership with our Daniels College of Business
- Alumni Reunions and Getaway Weekends
- Camps and Clinics
- Via Ferrata and other activity experiences
- Individual and family reservations for the DU community This summer has seen us host the Royal Family Camp; a camp focused on creating positive memories for children in foster care. With 50 children and 100 adult volunteers on-site for a weeklong program.
We will extend our P.A.S.S. (Pioneer Athletic Super Summer) Camp program, which is now in its 27th year at the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness, by launching the Pioneer Adventure Super Summer Camp (P.A.S.S. Camp) at the Kennedy Mountain Campus for the first time in the summer of 2024. The campus’ natural beauty will provide the perfect backdrop for a summer filled with fun and exploration. Campers ages 12-14 will enjoy an overnight camp that includes diverse activities such as hiking, rock climbing, and archery. Campers will learn survival skills, build confidence and self-esteem, have an unplugged experience, and make unforgettable memories. We will host the inaugural camp July 14-19, and we currently have 17 participants registered.
The Girl Scouts of Colorado will host two weeks of summer camp this summer in July. This is an additional week over last summer and their final registration numbers are pending.
We have also developed a partnership with our Executive Education program in the Daniels College of Business to support corporate opportunities. Our first organization through this experience will be the Cox Enterprises Elevate Program in October 2024.
FUNDRAISING
We have continued our efforts on fundraising and have hosted several prospective donors on the Kennedy Mountain Campus this year.
We have received a $1.5M commitment from the Schlessman Family Foundation. This gift will improve the mid camp campground, making camping accessible on the Kennedy Mountain Campus, and will also provide improvements to the riding center, our future home of mountain biking and equestrian signature experiences. While additional funding is still needed to make these signature experiences a reality, this gift helps us to build momentum around these opportunities.
Additionally, in collaboration with University Advancement, we have launched our Mile Makers annual giving program. Supporters of the Mile Makers Fund will ultimately help develop and maintain approximately 25 miles of trails. This fundraising opportunity, along with a video showcasing the importance of accessible trails, was part of 1DAY4DU held on May 15, 2024, and raised more than $15,000 from 25 donors.
We also launched our Mile Makers Annual Fund and developed gift naming opportunities for the trail network along with a wide variety of other major gift opportunities.
LONG-TERM PLAN
The James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus Long- Term Plan is our flexible guide for how the property can best serve our students, faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors, friends, and partners—and, by doing so, open pathways for making a difference here in Colorado and beyond. This long-term plan guides our way forward. It allows us to explore and enhance the natural environment, foster learning and leadership opportunities and experiences that prepare students for lives of purpose and will connect our DU community to build bridges and address challenges certainly not isolated only to DU—community building, natural resource management, ethical and character-based leadership, wellbeing, and more.
The Long-Term Plan is guided by the following principles, which will help us plan for and execute signature experiences for all user groups:
- A Synthesizing Experience - The KMC is for ALL students at DU to create an experience that contrasts to, but also synthesizes with, the Denver campus. Using outdoor programming, particularly in a co-curricular manner, students will reflect and explore the impact of our 4 Dimension Experience (4D).
- Curriculum and Research Enhancement - The KMC will enable faculty and staff to explore how the outdoors can enhance their work, particularly curriculum innovations and research/scholarly activities. Class sessions, academic projects, environmental research, institutes, and retreats are just a few of the possibilities.
- Alumni Engagement - DU alumni and friends of the university will have opportunities to engage with the KMC. Alumni reunions would be a great example of the summer use of the KMC. These activities will be a key source of revenue.
- Self-Supporting - The KMC will be financially supported with philanthropy, revenue generating activities, and fee-based internal use. For the most part, tuition monies will not be directly used to support the KMC. It is important to secure funding that will enable the KMC to be a permanent fixture of the DU experience.
- Expansively Inclusive - DU must ensure that the offered experiences create a sense of belonging by all from the DU community and for the DU community inclusive of all abilities and all identities.
- Sustainable Land Conservation Ethic - The KMC will have a strong conservation ethic and a relentless commitment to be exceptional stewards of the land. The development of the site will support DU’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals.
- Intentional Minimalism - DU will maintain and develop the property with a minimalist but high-quality mindset. The experience of the property should reflect a rustic but comfortable feel.
One major element of the Long-Term Plan is specific priorities related to our deep commitment to sustainability and carbon neutrality. The Kennedy Mountain Campus has a strong conservation ethic and a relentless commitment to be exceptional stewards of the land. The development of the site will support DU’s ambitious carbon neutrality goals. Restoration of waterways, maximization of renewable energy for the campus, and minimizing impact of development and build-out will all be informed by this principle. Additionally, a large solar array is recommended to help reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The introduction of solar energy is not intended to remove prior fossil fuel infrastructure used in case of emergency. This will greatly improve on-site resiliency during power outages.
Final edits to the Long-Term plan are being completed and will be shared by the end of the summer.
Water Rights and Storage Planning
We have developed a comprehensive short-and-mid-term Water Rights and Storage Plan. Specifically, we completed the evaluation of the acquisition of additional water rights, addressed the design and engineering of the existing water infrastructure, and considered future opportunities through the physical and legal availability of water. The result of this process is the prioritization of five key projects that would address and support the current and future demand of water and associated recreational amenities at the Kennedy Mountain Campus.
Water Rights Entitlements (In Progress) - To ensure the long-term augmentation of water (current and future use) at the Kennedy Mountain Campus and to plan for future recreational opportunities, water rights have been a key focus and with the completion of our final design and engineering we will be able to complete our water court submittals.
Magic Sky Reservoir Renovation (Design and Engineering in Progress) - Magic Sky Reservoir is the water augmentation site for the Kennedy Mountain Campus. To maximize the permitted water storage capabilities, we have engaged design and engineering services to identify a solution and construction budget for the reservoir to be deepened, expanded, and repaired as a non-jurisdictional dam. Weaver Ditch and the point of water diversion also needs repair to meet code and legal requirements. A second phase (long-term) of improvements at this site could open multiple outdoor recreational activities.
Cliff Lake Renovation (Design and Engineering in Progress) - Cliff Lake is a natural reservoir and has fluctuating water levels annually. As one of the campus’ most beautiful recreational amenities, we have engaged design and engineering services to identify a solution and construction budget so the natural reservoir can be deepened, sealed, and lined to retain water.
South Lone Pine Creek Restoration and Fishing Ponds (Design, Engineering, and Funding in Progress) - In its current state, South Lone Pine Creek is a thin ribbon of water that is largely surrounded by overgrown vegetation that, in many instances, obstructs its view. The presence of water is an asset but is not fully realized without further improvement and enhancement to make it visible and accessible. We have engaged with the Larimer County Conservation District (LCD) to work on a multi-year project to improve the creek and the habitat. We will formally apply with the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) in Fall 2024 in partnership with LCD and the Farm Service Agency, United States Department of Agriculture. These enhancements would include habitat and forestry restoration that would support fly fishing, an educational interpretive program, designated creek access points, and a memorable natural water feature.
Lower Camp Pond and Dam Improvement (Long-Term) - After assessment of both legal and physical water availability, the Lower Camp pasture was identified as the only additional water site on the Kennedy Mountain Campus that is viable. A future feasibility study would need to be conducted to determine the correct solution for this area.
As you will see on page 16, we anticipate a remaining balance in the water rights and storage plan project compared to our initial projection. This is due to holding the construction of the CH.1 Weaver Ditch to align with the construction work on Magic Sky Reservoir and Cliff Lake, not completing the Lower Camp Pond and Dam Improvement design and engineering, and savings from the Larimer County Conservation District working on preliminary design of stream restoration. As this project progressed, we determined that it would be wise to get construction costs on Magic Sky Reservoir and Cliff Lake and complete the initial water court submittals before considering work in other portions of this project.
With Gratitude
Your investment in the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus has given our students an inspiring place to connect with nature, make lifelong connections with their peers, and engage in activities that build skills they can draw upon for a lifetime. You made it possible for DU students to push themselves to new heights and grow in multiple dimensions, for themselves and for the greater good. We are grateful for your generosity.
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