RANGELY | Dr. Lisa Jones of Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) and Police Chief Ti Hamblin joined the Rangely Board of Trustees Tuesday, Sept. 26 for collaborative conversations about how each entity can assist in meeting community needs.
Dr. Jones highlighted the history and the vision of the college. The Higher Learning Commission completed the 10-year accreditation of the college and praised the campus for its commitment to maintaining the buildings and grounds and the Town of Rangely’s landscaping.
Spring of 2024 will see the initial rollout of the dental hygiene bachelor’s degree program.
Some of CNCC’s strengths are stackable degrees. CNCC is ranked #5 in the country for graduate wages after graduation. Concurrent enrollment is steadily increasing. Completion and retention rates have increased post-Covid.
Weaknesses include a smaller influx of youth population and infrastructure needs. A facilities master plan to address infrastructure is in progress. Dr. Jones emphasized the need for and time invested in seeking grant applications and proposals to protect students from the burdensome cost of obtaining higher education. Experience as part of the learning process at CNCC — hikes, cheese production and field trips, for example — is utilized to aid student development. CNCC looks forward to collaborating with the K-12 school district to develop student opportunities. Professional development is high on the priority list as well. The college will pursue sports medicine programs and additional certifications in the cybersecurity program.
The aviation program hosted about 12 students in 2021 and currently has approximately 30 enrolled.
Student support updates include Sparta chat not, Student Touch Points, Student Life Coordinator, and on-campus coffee shop. The college’s new website is under construction with anticipated completion in Spring 2024.
Trustee Tim Webber volunteered the Western Rio Blanco Metropolitan Recreation and Park District (WRBM) to collaborate with the college and the recreation department. Trustee Don Davidson questioned the ability and financial access to increase apprenticeships/internships with skill/ trade opportunities.
Town Manager Lisa Piering informed the Board and Dr. Jones that the Recompete Grant through the Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado (AGNC) will support these opportunities for the CNCC and Rangely communities. The grant focused on the prime-age employment gap, fostering small business growth, and developing a trade workforce. The grant application will include collaboration with Collbran, Cortez, Delta County, Dolores County, Nucla, Olathe, Parachute and Rangely. The goals include a comprehensive plan to stimulate economic growth, generate sustainable jobs, revitalize local communities, and investments in infrastructure, transportation, and community services.
Chief Hamblin also addressed the Board, beginning with his supervisor’s report. A part-time dispatcher position is open and accepting applications. August saw three mental health calls, which exceeded the expectation of “normal.”
All patrol officers and dispatchers have completed crisis intervention training. An arrest has been made in the investigation of a Colorado Parks and Wildlife vehicle break-in and firearms theft.
Officer Kilduff has been selected as the School Resource Officer. Currently, funding issues are from the school district and the police department. Grants exist to support this need and state requirement and are being sought by the appropriate departments. Trustee Todd Thayn highlighted his support of a full-time school resource officer. A memorandum of understanding exists to secure the partnership between the school district and the police department, defining the role of the school resource officer. Officer Clinton Kilduff thanked the Board for the opportunities available to serve with to the Police Department and School District. He hopes to produce a presentation about driver safety. The relationship with the students is a top priority that he has been implementing with all three schools in the district.
Town Manager Lisa Piering updated the board on public works tasks to complete before winter weather begins. The foundation work on White River Village is in progress and presents challenges that require extra effort.
The Rangely Police Department could secure laptops and docking stations from the Brighton Police Department for free.
A Colorado Intergovernmental Risk Sharing Agency (CIRSA) inspection for the town is complete. Gas hedging has been secured for the next two years. The Town purchased an extra five million MMBtu (million cubic feet per British thermal unit) to protect against spikes in usage. The hedging was not purchased at previous low prices, but it will protect citizens and taxpayers from volatile costs.
BY KATIE FAYE KING
