National Western Center and CSU Spur Education and Community Impacts

The National Western Center’s impact extends beyond the immediate economic boost provided by events and lodging spending, merchandise sales, and capital construction projects.

The NWC Campus itself serves as an education hub at a critical time in Colorado’s educational and workforce development journey. Apart from the human benefits of education, Colorado’s future economy depends on a workforce with high-value skillsets, degrees, and degree attainment. The National Western Center Campus is instrumental in furthering the state’s goals.

Overview

CSU Spur and the NWCA together are providing several educational and job training opportunities for the Denver metro.

Example industries include: agriculture, arts, science, technology, engineering, math, and veterinary medicine.

The combined campus of the National Western Center and CSU Spur provides dozens of educational programs and has significant educational potential given the range of informal programming across pre-K through 12th grade, combined with formal programs at the high school and postsecondary levels. The campus provides a unique set of educational opportunities given its unique features, multidisciplinary approach, and specific programs offered.

As Colorado and the nation continue to go through demographic and economic changes, Georgetown University’s Center for Education and Workforce predicts that 85% of “good” jobs will require postsecondary training, certificates or degrees.[i] In Colorado, only 67% of the state’s adult population born in Colorado has completed at least some postsecondary education, leaving a substantial gap to address, with significant economic implications.[ii] CSU and CSU Spur are ideally situated to help meet this need. This report provides a roadmap and review of the educational programs at the CSU Spur and the National Western Center campus and their impacts.

PreK-12 Educational Programming and Impact

CSU Spur provides a variety of educational programming throughout the school year, including summer camps for the arts, aviation, business, cybersecurity, engineering, fashion, music and sports, which are also subsidized. In FY 2024, 659 children and adolescents attended summer programming. A 2019 meta-analysis found that effective summer programs can have numerous benefits for academic learning, employment and career, and social and emotional well-being.[iii]

For pre-K through 12th grade, FY 2024 educational programming was provided by CSU Spur to 8,620 students across a variety of districts and schools. These schools varied not only in geography, but in district size. Thirty-two districts participated statewide from North Conejos to Steamboat Springs and from Center Consolidated to Idalia. These districts represented 105 schools serving pre-K through 12^th-grade students. The size of districts ranged significantly in the number of children served, from Idalia with 164 students to Denver Public Schools, with 90,452. Elementary, middle, and high schools from the 80216 zip code participated in educational programming. Numerous studies demonstrate that experiential learning can increase students’ interest, knowledge, and motivation, but depends considerably on the teacher’s role in planning and implementation. This was noted for science knowledge generally and on a standardized achievement exam.[iv][v]

CSU Spur provides a variety of experiential educational programs throughout the school year. Numerous studies demonstrate that experiential learning can increase students’ interest, knowledge, and motivation, but depends considerably on the teacher’s role in planning and implementation. This was noted for science knowledge generally and also on a standardized achievement exam.[vi]

In 2019, the WSSA started its Denver Scholarship Program, awarding 18 scholarships and five annually, to graduating seniors in the City and County of Denver who pursue undergraduate degrees and career paths that are connected to the field of agriculture. Similarly, the CSU Spur offers scholarships to students specifically from the 80216 zip code, who have applied and been accepted to a CSU System school.[vii] Twenty-eight scholarships have been awarded since inception in 2022. Research on postsecondary financial assistance has demonstrated positive impacts on persistence and college completion.[viii]

CSU Spur subsidizes and houses College Track, providing classroom, office, and meeting space. Part of a nationwide effort starting with ninth graders and providing support through the first-year of their professional career. College Track focuses exclusively on first generation students from low-income families. The CSU Spur location for College Track is the first in the country to be housed at a university campus and the first partnership involving the entire university system. For the 2024-2025 school year, 94 scholars currently participate on a weekly basis. Lastly, CSU Spur engages with Bruce Randolph high school students to provide an indoor agricultural space and horticulture 101 class, counting as dual enrollment credit.

Postsecondary Educational Programming and Impact

Recent research from the Colorado Department of Higher Education and Georgetown University suggests that Colorado will need to increase the number of higher education degrees by approximately 10% given an expectation that 73% of jobs in Colorado will require a postsecondary degree by 2031.[ix] The CSU Spur campus is uniquely situated to address this gap, especially in the high-demand fields of agriculture and STEM.

Orienting students toward degrees and jobs with livable wages can have a profound economic impact. A recent study by Keystone Policy Center and the Common Sense Institute, of the Denver School of Science and Technology found a net increase in annual earnings of the 2016 Denver Public Schools graduating class reaching DSST achievement rates, including 1,109 new postsecondary attainers, would be $38,000,000, or $1.5 billion in net lifetime earnings.[x] The average difference in lifetime earnings for a student who does not graduate high school, compared to a student that receives a 4-year degree is $1.34 million.

In postsecondary, CSU Spur currently offers a variety of courses and educational programs spanning undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as certificates.[xi] Additional programming and degrees are currently in development including Professional Science Master’s in Biomanufacturing and in Systems Engineering.

Sixty-four credentials were awarded in FY 2024, including: certificates in construction management and entrepreneurship and innovation, master’s degrees in agribusiness and food innovation management and social work, and doctoral degrees in organizational learning, performance and change. Starting in FY 2025, CSU Spur is launching Spur Start, a program designed for incoming undergraduates to complete their freshman year at the CSU Spur campus, then transfer to the flagship campus in Fort Collins. Eighty students are expected to enroll in the 2025-2026 school year.

Informal Educational Programming and Impact

Every second Saturday from 10 am – 2 pm, CSU Spur hosts free family-friendly programming, open to the public, which began in 2022.[xii] Each month follows a unique theme, from arts and science to health and wellness. Ongoing activities include cooking, watching veterinarians at work, observing equine therapy, engaging with scientists, a mock kitchen, vet clinic and lab, a stream table, virtual reality, a rooftop greenhouse and more. CSU Spur accepts applications from local organizations to participate in the events, providing a variety of activities for visitors. In FY24, 5,575 people attended Second Saturday events.

The National Western Stock Show provides school visits during its annual event each January. The Teacher’s Guide is an in-depth resource providing general information on the stock show, history, and facts, as well as lesson plans when on site. Activities on site include the National Western Nursery, a youth art exhibit, petting farm, stockyards, CSU “Ag Adventure”, dairy discovery zone, and much more. In FY24, 1,513 students attended the Stock Show, along with 342 teachers and chaperones. Outside of the Stock Show dates, 5,707 students and 1,060 teachers and chaperones were provided field trips.

In addition to the informal education received by visitors to the National Western Stock Show and CSU Spur, every January, a Vet 101 Program is provided to 40 high school students.[xiii] This program provides students the opportunity to spend an afternoon with veterinarians doing hands-on work, focusing on small and large animals, feeding, equine and rodeo, and embryology. Donated tools and supplies are provided to each student, including a stethoscope, animal first-aid kit, certificate of completion, and other items. At the conclusion of the program, students are provided complimentary tickets to the MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo. 

Community Investments, Partnerships and Impact

The 80216 zip code is the immediate radius surrounding the National Western Center and CSU Spur. It encompasses the Globeville and Elyria-Swansea (GES) neighborhoods. This community has been historically marginalized in the larger Denver metro by a variety of factors–including redlining, interstate development and segregated schools, to name a few.

These impacts manifest in contemporary marginalization as well, based on the most recent demographic census data.[xiv] For example, the 80216 zip code has a lower rate of home ownership than the state (28% to 66%), a lower employment rate (65% to 70%), lower educational attainment (38% to 46%), a higher poverty rate (19% to 9%) and a lower health care coverage rate (15% without, compared to 7%). The intersectionality of these impacts is beyond evident and in need of amelioration. This begins with recognizing and leveraging the assets that exist throughout the 80216 zip code. CSU Spur and National Western Center have devoted a significant amount of attention and resources to engaging with the 80216 community and building upon these assets.

From conversations with community engagement leaders at both the CSU Spur and National Western Center, local residents have rarely felt a sense of belonging and ownership of what happens in their community, despite billions of dollars in investment in the local infrastructure. This may be changing for the better in recent years, with these institutions leveraging their economic, educational, and social capital.

CSU Spur

In FY24 (July 2023 - June 2024), CSU Spur received 127,133 visitors and provided 3,663 tours of the campus. Spur employs 40 staff members, with a FY 2024 personnel budget of roughly $3.3 million, and 34 volunteers, who donated 1,760 hours of their time. Frequent industry and government partnerships take place as well.

In FY 2024, CSU Spur partnered with 27 organizations from the GES neighborhoods. This included $10,700 in direct investment, such as event sponsorships and local catering. The total value of these partnerships was estimated at over $350,000 for FY 2024. CSU Spur also provided $65,000 in grant funding for community-based programs and provided space for 31 events hosted by community organizations bringing in nearly 3,200 attendees. Frequent partners include: Birdseed Collective, Focus Points Family Resource Center, GES Coalition, and GrowHaus.

CSU Spur has welcomed thousands of people from 80216 since fully opening in January 2022. Activities include family programming and education, movie nights, cooking classes, gardening and food production, in addition to providing access to healthy food and addressing pollution. CSU leads a community air quality research group, and has a community forestry hub, working with local groups to plant and care for trees in GES.

CSU Spur also offers free and low-cost services, including 430 free equine assisted therapy sessions in FY 2024, and over 71,000 pet care services through Human Colorado (an onsite Spur partner). Of those served by Humane Colorado from 2022-2024, 811 households were in GES. The total estimated value of services provided and direct local support was about $129,000 in FY24.

Yet, work remains to be done, including providing ongoing cultural competence training for staff, and an ongoing pathway for communication about the GES community’s core needs from CSU Spur and the NWC, including a more effective and clearer articulation of the pathway to higher education and/or jobs.

National Western Center

The National Western Center and its partners pride themselves on their community engagement; creating jobs, advocating for community interests, partnering with community organizations, innovating for the health and sustainability of the community and much more. In 2024, examples included:

• Awarded the federal Reconnecting Communities Grant by the USDOT.
• Collaboration with the Denver Mayor’s Office on homelessness and Denver Police Department on ongoing safety concerns.
• Partnership with the Denver Office of Community and Business Engagement on current and planned GES construction projects and their day-to-day impacts on community.
• Donating over 700 tickets to GES families for public events on campus.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) convened in 2013 and is the connective tissue between the National Western Center and the surrounding community.[xv] This group meets monthly to engage in updates, discussion and planning, and consists of community business owners, community groups and GES residents, as well as representatives from CSU Spur, the Western Stock Show Association, and the National Western Center Authority. Recent discussions have focused on the planning and development of an equestrian center, hotel and parking garage. Part of the final product will include a 4,000 square foot building dedicated to community events and gatherings.

The GES Community Investment Fund supports projects, programs and other community benefits in GES.[xvi] The CIF is a self-governed, independent entity overseen by a board of GES residents charged with defining the CIF’s systems, structure and functions moving forward. Current funded projects include housing repairs and support, food growing and pantries, community meeting space and much more. The CIF supports projects, programs and other community benefits in GES, including a “round up” donation option on on-campus retail purchases, a technical assistance grant in partnership with the City and County of Denver, in addition to many other grants.

Timeline of National Western Center Authority contributions from CIF to community:  

• May 2023: $400,000 for technical assistance  
• July 2023: $86,000 for unrestricted grants
• July 2024: $90,000 for unrestricted grants 
• July 2025: $150,000 projected for unrestricted grants

Bottom Line

Together, CSU Spur and the National Western Center have been and will continue to be pillars of education and community engagement in the Denver metro area. From their support of pre-K students all the way through doctoral students, the educational and innovative impacts can be felt not only in the Front Range but all of Colorado and beyond. Significant work remains to continue strengthening the bonds between the GES neighborhood and the campus, but it is clear that the structures and investment are in place to work towards this goal.

Between the direct economic impacts of the NWC’s events and construction projects and its educational and community offerings, the campus is an economic multiplier. Direct spending and employment diffuse into surrounding areas and businesses, future students have greater access to high-value degree offerings in lucrative fields necessary to the state’s workforce development goals, and various cultural and community programs act as a cultural binding agent.

Besides millions in economic activity, the NWC’s programs and offerings would prompt users to stay in Colorado and work in Colorado. In an era in which interstate migration to Colorado has fallen, it is as crucial to develop and retain domestic talent as it is to encourage commercial growth.