Crowning Achievements for Castle Rock

Arapahoe Community College 

Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock 

The Arapahoe Community College (ACC) Sturm Collaboration Campus at Castle Rock is a joint partnership among ACC, the Town of Castle Rock, the Castle Rock Economic Development Council, the Colorado State University System, and the Douglas County School District to bring together education, business and the community to create a unique resource for delivering seamless education and workforce training.  It is designed to allow students to earn an associate degree from ACC and a Bachelor’s degree from Colorado State University, all in one convenient location. 

The partnership with Douglas County School District allows students to start on their career path with college classes at local high schools or on the Sturm Collaboration Campus in ACC’s Concurrent Enrollment Program.  Students can then earn an ACC associate degree or certificate, and a Bachelor’s degree from CSU, or join with one of the community industry partners in an apprenticeship program. 

The Sturm Collaboration Campus offers day and evening courses to help people reach their career goals. Located in Castle Rock, midway between Denver and Colorado Springs, the Sturm Collaboration Campus offers an innovative learning environment where individuals can build their confidence and skills while they start—or restart—their educational journey. With Pathways in Business, Healthcare, Cyber Security, Information Technology, General Education, and Workforce Training, students will learn using state-of-the-art technology from expert instructors who are passionate about helping people succeed. 

ACC Sturm Collaboration Campus Amenities is located on 14.9 acres. Phase One of the Collaboration Campus includes a 40,000 square foot building with associated outdoor learning and activity plazas and terraces.  This building accommodates approximately 800 students studying sciences and applied sciences, arts and humanities, business and entrepreneurship, cyber-security and technology, and healthcare.  The campus also is available to academic, community and business partners for training and civic activities.  

The facility includes a Student Learning Commons, within which students can engage with each other, faculty, staff and industry partners.  The facility also contains computer stations, open and enclosed study and huddle spaces, a help and welcome desk, coffee bar and adjoining outdoor interactive areas.  Surrounding this hub is the state-of-the-art learning spaces – classrooms, labs and MashMe technology-equipped classrooms for distance learning – for use by ACC and educational partners Colorado State University and Douglas County School District.  Also included in the facility is a Cyber Security Learning Center; faculty and instructor collaboration spaces, administrative support offices, a Community Room, and leased space occupied by local business partners.  The future Phase Two building, of similar size, also will be based on student and community needs. 

The contractor for the Collaboration Campus is JHL Constructors and the architect is DLR Associates.

“There are many forward thinking ideas and projects taking place in Castle Rock that are not only enhancing the business landscape and adding to the prosperity of the town, but that are helping to highlight the charm and history of this great Colorado community,” said Frank Gray, President and CEO of the Castle Rock Economic Development Council. 

“For companies seeking a unique and distinct place to locate, where amazing landscapes are equal to the development opportunities, Castle Rock is proving to be a choice location.  The town is in the midst of $1 billion of new development, including over $150 million in the Historic Downtown and while the fact that development and job growth is occurring in Castle Rock doesn’t come as a surprise to most, the size and scope of all that’s happening here is probably eye-opening to many.”