What to know about CSU Pueblo's new satellite campus at Pikes Peak State College

James Bartolo, Pueblo Chieftain
·3 min read

Colorado State University Pueblo hopes to expand its reach in El Paso County with a new satellite campus at Pikes Peak State College.

Starting this fall, Pikes Peak State College students earning an associate degree in criminology, sociology or social work can earn a bachelor's degree from CSU Pueblo without leaving Pikes Peak State College's main campus, 5675 S. Academy Blvd, in southern Colorado Springs. A master's in social work degree also will be available through the five-year partnership.

"Students feel a sense of belonging when they can finish both degree programs in one building," said Kathryn Starkey, dean of extended studies at CSU Pueblo. "Students who transfer from Pikes Peak State College to CSU Pueblo can finish those degree programs in the same building."

A ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the new satellite campus will be held on Friday, September 22, at 2 p.m. at Pikes Peak State College.

The location of CSU Pueblo's satellite campus at Pikes Peak State College
The location of CSU Pueblo's satellite campus at Pikes Peak State College

Pikes Peak campus is one of three CSU Pueblo satellite campuses

Outside of the main campus at 2200 Bonforte Blvd., CSU Pueblo currently has three satellite campuses where students can take in-person classes with CSU Pueblo professors.

The Education Center at Fort Carson Army Base, 1675 Long Street, is geared toward assisting active duty military, dependents and veterans on the base. Two to four in-person courses are hosted at the Education Center per semester. Academic advising, financial assistance and other services also are offered at the campus.

In 2018, the Sturm Collaboration Campus, 4500 Limelight Ave., was formed through a partnership with Arapahoe Community College in Castle Rock. Bachelor programs offered at the Sturm Collaboration Campus include accounting, business management, cybersecurity, marketing and secure software development. The Sturm Collaboration Campus also offers a master's degree in nursing.

Pikes Peak State College's main campus in Colorado Springs
Pikes Peak State College's main campus in Colorado Springs

A 'smart, logical step' for CSU Pueblo

CSU Pueblo set up shop at Pikes Peak State College on Aug. 21. The satellite campus at Pikes Peak State College replaces the now-defunct CSU Pueblo Tower Campus, 2864 S. Circle Dr., in Colorado Springs.

Moving its Colorado Springs campus into Pikes Peak State College was a "smart, logical" step for CSU Pueblo, Starkey said, as many students taking classes in the tower were criminology, sociology or social work students transferring from Pikes Peak Community College, which changed its name to Pikes Peak State College in 2022.

While Pikes Peak State College offers three bachelor's degrees, almost half of its students transfer to another school after completing an associate degree, according to a joint news release from CSU Pueblo and Pikes Peak State College.

"The expanded relationship between Pikes Peak State College and CSU Pueblo will help streamline the transfer of credits for any student seeking a four-year degree; it will provide another way that PPSC can create pathways for our military students to be successful, and we are confident this will support enrollment growth at bothinstitutions,” said Lance Bolton, president of Pikes Peak State College, in a news release.

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Pueblo Chieftain reporter James Bartolo can be reached at JBartolo@gannett.com. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about CSU Pueblo's new campus in Colorado Springs