Red Rocks Community College Expands Flexible Programs for Adult Learners in Lakewood

The college is using grants, surveys, and community feedback to better serve students over 25 with new night classes and childcare-friendly spaces.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 5:09am

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Red Rocks Community College's Lakewood and Arvada campuses are investing in expanded support and programming for adult learners, including new night classes, a thriving Adult Learners Club, and community-building initiatives. The school is using grant funding, surveys, and direct feedback to develop more flexible programs and amenities tailored to the needs of students over 25, who are now succeeding and staying enrolled at higher rates than their younger classmates.

Why it matters

As the cost of higher education continues to rise, community colleges play a vital role in providing affordable, accessible pathways for adult learners to gain new skills and credentials. Red Rocks' focus on this demographic reflects a broader trend of colleges adapting to better serve the needs of busy, working students who may have family responsibilities or other commitments beyond the traditional college experience.

The details

Red Rocks Community College has been actively soliciting feedback from adult learners at its Lakewood and Arvada campuses to identify barriers and develop tailored solutions. This has included new night class offerings, the creation of an Adult Learners Club for community-building, and the addition of more childcare-friendly spaces. The college has also leveraged grant funding to expand these flexible programs, which are contributing to higher retention and success rates among students over 25 compared to their younger peers.

  • Red Rocks Community College has been expanding support for adult learners at its Lakewood and Arvada campuses over the past several years.
  • The college's Adult Learners Club and other initiatives targeting older students have seen growing participation and engagement in recent semesters.

The players

Red Rocks Community College

A public community college with campuses in Lakewood and Arvada, Colorado, known for its flexible programs and support for non-traditional students.

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What they’re saying

“We must continue to evolve and adapt to meet the needs of our diverse student population, including those who are juggling work, family, and other commitments alongside their studies.”

— Dr. Michele Haney, President, Red Rocks Community College

What’s next

Red Rocks Community College plans to further expand its adult learner initiatives in the coming semesters, including exploring additional childcare options and increasing outreach to local employers to develop more workforce-aligned programs.

The takeaway

Red Rocks' focus on supporting adult learners reflects a broader shift in higher education towards more flexible, accessible, and community-oriented models that recognize the diverse needs of today's college students. As the cost of education continues to rise, community colleges like Red Rocks play a vital role in providing affordable pathways for working adults to gain new skills and credentials.