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Small Classes. Big Opportunities.
College Summary
Colorado Northwestern Community College has its main residential campus located in Rangely, Colorado. In addition, there is a second, non-residential campus located in Craig, Colorado, and Service Centers located in Meeker, Hayden, and Oak Creek.
Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) is a publicly supported two-year institution that was established in 1960. The main campus in Rangely was opened in 1962 as Rangely College to a freshman class composed of 82 students. Originally, the College was a branch of Mesa College in Grand Junction, Colorado, but the two were separated in 1970. In July of 1974, Rangely College officially became Colorado Northwestern Community College. It was deemed relevant to change the name since the college was serving many communities by that time. CNCC operated as an independent college under the governance of an elected Rangely Junior College District Board of Trustees, financed by legislative appropriation and district tax levy.
CNCC has established a major extension of the main campus in Craig, with additional service areas in Meeker, Hayden, and Oak Creek. Expansion has created a chain of higher education possibilities across the northwestern quarter of Colorado that would not have been available for residents of these rural, isolated and under-funded communities. As a college our mission is to provide accessible, affordable, quality education to prepare our students to achieve their educational, workplace, and personal goals. Fulfilling that mission and educating for the future is our challenge and passion.
State legislation was subsequently approved whereby affiliated junior college districts could be created. In September, 1989, a vote by the electorate in Moffat County created an affiliated junior college district and activities as a Colorado Northwestern branch campus began in Craig, Colorado beginning on January 1, 1990. A locally elected five member Board of Control directed the development of the campus. A local tax provided the funds to expand course offerings in transfer, general education and occupational programs.
On November 3, 1998, the electorate of both the Rangely Junior College District and the Moffat County Affiliated Junior College District voted for Colorado Northwestern to join the Colorado Community College and Occupational Education System (CCCOES). The College became a member of the State Community College System on July 1, 1999.
The CNCC main campus is located in the Town of Rangely which is a small, rural community of approximately 2500 people, located 90 miles north of Grand Junction and 50 miles east of Vernal, Utah. The local economic base comes from oil, coal, natural gas, and ranching along the White river. One of the interesting features for which this area is known is ancient American Fremont and Ute Indian petroglyphs (paintings on rock surfaces). The terrain is high desert with rolling hills and mesas covered with sagebrush, cedar, and pinion trees. The CNCC Rangely Campus encompasses an area of 150 acres.
Craig, a community of 8,300 people, is located just 42 miles west of Steamboat Springs and 90 miles north of Rifle off I-70. The area boasts beautiful, deep river canyons, sandstone buttes with petroglyphs, large alpine forest, rolling high plains, and mountains. The area is a haven for hunters, fishermen, backpackers, mountain bikers, rafters, skiers and golfers. Craig’s economy is inter-dependent on ranching, farming, energy extraction, and tourism.
Unique Programs
Aviation-Flight, Aviation Maintenance Technology, Construction Technology, Criminal Justice, Dental Hygiene, Paralegal Studies, Natural Resources, Cosmetology/Nail Technician/ Hairstylist/Esthetician, Mine Safety Training, and Certified Nursing Assistance, Licensed Practical Nursing and Registered Nursing programs.
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