March 25, 2026
Aurora, Colo. – For the second consecutive cycle, the Community College of Aurora (CCA) earned the highest recognition for its action plan to increase nonpartisan voter engagement. The ALL IN Democracy Challenge awarded CCA’s plan with a rating of highly established for promoting civic learning, political engagement, and college student voter participation.
Schools that invest in nonpartisan civic engagement have higher campus voter registration and turnout rates, and as we approach this year’s midterm elections, this work is more important than ever,
said Jen Domagal-Goldman, Executive Director of the ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge. Ten years after submitting their first action plan, the Community College of Aurora continues to lead the way on nonpartisan civic learning and college student voter participation. The ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge is proud to recognize the Community College of Aurora’s dedication with this Highly Established Action Plan Seal.
For several years, CCA has collaborated with community partners to implement strategies to increase voter participation. In addition to campus events like debate watch parties and tabling events hosted by partner New Era Colorado, CCA works with election partners in Arapahoe County to bring voter registration events to campus. Other partners work to re-write Colorado ballot information booklets into more understandable, non-partisan language so students better understand individual ballot initiatives. New to the action plan this year is the goal to establish a new ballot drop-off location at the recently opened Centennial Campus for Healthcare and First Responders.
Julie LaRock, CCA’s Dean of Student Success, brings the action plan to life by working with community partners and planning on-campus voter registration.
This recognition from ALL IN reflects CCA’s commitment to ensuring our students know their voices matter,
said LaRock. Through on-campus engagement, education, and programming, we aim to demystify the voting process and position civic participation as an important part of the co-curricular experience and what it means to be an engaged community member. We strive to provide support and opportunities so that students have everything in their toolkit they need to be successful.
Of the 310 campuses that submitted a 2026 action plan, CCA is one of the 129 that ALL IN recognized. The organization reviews and scores action plans that colleges and universities submit. Participating institutions complete a set of action items to institutionalize nonpartisan civic learning and voter participation on their campus. The Highly Established Action Plan recognition is the highest scoring category, representing CCA’s continued high performance advancing democracy by engaging with the community.
Earning the highly established action plan score from ALL IN is a testament to CCA’s growth and plans for the future. These efforts to increase voter participationIn align with the college’s strategic plan to exude community excellence by promoting civic engagement as a learning outcome. It’s made possible by coming together as a community of learners, partners, and educators. Together we build the future.
About ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge
ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge (ALL IN) empowers colleges and universities to achieve excellence in nonpartisan student democratic engagement. Through an intentionally-designed program that provides structure, support, and recognition, ALL IN works to improve civic learning, political engagement, and voter participation on more than 1,075 campuses nationwide. ALL IN believes higher education should play a role in developing an active and informed citizenry by educating students, motivating them to engage in American democracy, and instilling the value of lifelong participation. ALL IN is an initiative of Civic Nation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Learn more here.
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, visit www.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]