On Oct. 13, Colorado Northwestern Community College will proudly celebrate its 63rd anniversary. For more than six decades, CNCC has remained dedicated to transforming students’ lives by providing accessible, affordable and high-quality education, where learning truly comes to life through experience.

One week later, we invite you to join us for our annual Founders Day celebration, taking place during the week of Oct. 20–25.

Like many institutions of higher learning, we honor our founders, our origins and the history that shaped our mission. This week of events is dedicated to celebrating our identity, our community and the many milestones we’ve achieved together. Most importantly, it’s a time to inspire and engage students, faculty, staff, alumni and the broader community.

Honoring excellence: Aviation & wrestling

This year, we’re shining a spotlight on two programs that reflect CNCC’s legacy of excellence and resilience: aviation and men’s wrestling.

• CNCC Aviation Flight Program

Established nearly 60 years ago, CNCC’s Aviation Flight Program has a long-standing reputation for excellence. Over the decades, it has produced successful pilots in commercial, freight, military, research and academic fields. Recognized nationally as one of the top two-year aviation programs, CNCC Aviation continues to soar.

In May, our team earned 1st place among all 2-year flight programs nationwide at the NIFA (National Intercollegiate Flying Association) national tournament.

This month, from Oct. 20–24, CNCC will proudly host the NIFA Region I Competition right here on campus — an exciting opportunity to showcase our talent, teamwork and industry leadership.

In addition, Sky Magazine recently ranked our program No. 1 in Colorado for producing work-ready pilots. To explore our journey through the skies, visit the photo display on the main level of the Weiss Building during Founders Week.

• Return of Spartan wrestling

We’re thrilled to announce the return of men’s wrestling to CNCC, a program with a proud legacy from 1969 to 1997, including NJCAA National Tournament appearances in 1972, 1975, 1978 and 1993, and national rankings as high as No. 6 in 1997.

Leading the revival is Tytus Coombs, a Rangely native and CNCC alumnus whose deep ties to Colorado and strong coaching background make him the ideal head coach for this exciting new era.

Celebrate the return of Spartan Wrestling at the Red vs. White Intersquad Dual, an event open to the public, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 in the Hefley Arena. Enjoy free admission, concessions and special appearances from alumni, coaches and supporters. Also, stop by the Hefley Building main level throughout the week to view a special photo display highlighting the program’s legacy.

 Founders Day Family Fun

Join us for family-friendly festivities from 3–5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24 in the Johnson Building on the Rangely Campus. Our indoor pumpkin patch will feature:

• Free cider and donuts
• Pumpkins and gourds for purchase
• A coat drive hosted by the Staff Council — donate new or gently used coats to help those in need

Whether you’re a student, employee, alumnus or friend of CNCC, we invite you to be part of this special time. Let’s honor the past, celebrate the present and look ahead to a bright future.

If you can’t make it to our Founders Day events, we still wish you a safe and joyful fall season, from all of us here in Sparta.