Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges
The Colorado Paradox refers to how Colorado is one of the most highly educated states, yet those born and raised in Colorado, overall, have low educational attainment. An expanded Colorado Paradox includes the fact that Colorado has a wide variety of cultural opportunities, healthcare infrastructure, and educational offerings for those residing in Colorado, yet those who are born and raised in Colorado access these offerings less than those from out-of-state. Rural-Serving Institutions are well-positioned to provide greater economic mobility and impact the well-being of their communities, therefore addressing the expanded Colorado Paradox.
Colorado is one of the most educated states in the United States, yet those born and raised in Colorado have fairly low educational attainment. The state views higher education through a neoliberal lens, arguing that changing workforce demands desperately require higher educational attainment from state residents. However, educating state residents also leads to increased health outcomes, cultural development opportunities, and greater civic engagement, which contribute to a greater public well-being. Rural educational attainment in Colorado is low, creating a gap that contributes to the Colorado Paradox and can be addressed through Rural-Serving Institutions. The Colorado Paradox refers to how Colorado is one of the most highly educated states, yet those born and raised in Colorado, overall, have low educational attainment. An expanded Colorado Paradox includes the fact that Colorado has a wide variety of cultural opportunities, healthcare infrastructure, and educational offerings for those residing in Colorado, yet those who are born and raised in Colorado access these offerings less than those from out-of-state. Rural-Serving Institutions are well-positioned to provide greater economic mobility and impact the well-being of their communities, therefore addressing the expanded Colorado Paradox. To do this, Rural-Serving Institutions need greater support so they can grow into anchor institutions for rural regions, providing a myriad of benefits to rural areas and residents. The Alliance for Research on Regional Colleges (ARRC) provides federal recommendations for supporting and creating these rural anchor institutions which will ultimately contribute to a flourishing Colorado in all regions.
The audit is based on federal policy recommendations from ARRC, establishes areas of alignment between federal recommendations and Colorado policy, and identifies state action items to support the growth of rural anchor institutions in Colorado.
