March 24, 2026
Aurora, Colo. — The Community College of Aurora Foundation (CCAF) received a $20,000 grant from the Xcel Energy Foundation to support science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) career pathways at the Community College of Aurora (CCA). CCAF has received funding from the Xcel Energy Foundation for several years, highlighting a strong and sustained partnership.
Xcel Energy is proud to continue supporting the Community College of Aurora through the Xcel Energy Foundation’s grant program for the third consecutive year,
said President of Xcel Energy Colorado Robert Kenney. Our investment reflects our commitment to expanding STEM education opportunities and helping students gain the skills that will shape Colorado’s future workforce. CCA continues to prioritize vision, impact, and our community, and we’re honored to help advance their work in preparing the next generation of STEM leaders.
The funding is part of Xcel’s Energy’s Energizing the Future Focus Area Grant program, which supports organizations delivering critical services and programs in key areas including workforce development and education. CCA advances this mission by providing accessible, affordable pathways for students pursuing careers in STEM, while also introducing exploratory opportunities for those still considering their academic and career direction. Last year, CCA was the only community college in Colorado to receive grant funding from the Xcel Foundation.
In previous years, the grant funding has supported STEM-focused skills workshops and student visits to four-year transfer institutions. CCA has also invested in equipment to enhance hands-on learning experiences, including high-performance computers capable of running SolidWorks, an industry-standard 3D design software.
In addition to those efforts this year, the funding will further strengthen workforce connections by supporting professional panel events that bring industry leaders to campus to share insights and career pathways with students. Catherine Cooper, CCA’s Coordinator of STEM Initiatives, emphasized the impact of these experiences.
We are making the programs and workshops we offer with the support from this grant as inclusive and robust as possible,
said Cooper. I’m really excited about being able to bring industry partners to CCA and show our students the cool things they can do with what they’re learning now. It’s really powerful to show students where they can go with some of the skills they’re learning in our hands-on workshops.
These efforts highlight CCA as a partner of choice for Colorado’s STEM industries. Alongside the recent opening of the Center for Applied Science and Technology (CAST) at the CentreTech campus, the college continues to expand its role as a regional leader in preparing a skilled and diverse STEM workforce.
Through continued investment from partners like the Xcel Energy Foundation, CCA is advancing its mission to drive social and economic mobility while strengthening Colorado’s workforce pipeline. By expanding access to hands-on learning, industry connections and career-aligned education, the college is equipping students with the skills and opportunities needed to succeed in high-demand STEM fields and contribute meaningfully to the state’s future.
About the Community College of Aurora
The Community College of Aurora (CCA) provides high-quality instruction and student support services to Aurora, Centennial, and Denver, Colorado. With a vision to aspire to be a college where every student succeeds, CCA is the most diverse college in the State of Colorado. Focused on creating social and economic mobility for its students, the college offers courses on three campuses, online, and through its high school concurrent enrollment programs. For more information, visitwww.ccaurora.edu.
Contact
Courtney Butler
Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Special Initiatives
Strategic Communications and Alumni Engagement
P: 303-340-7201 | E: [email protected]