In The News

November 2025 - Learning Can’t Wait Podcast by Fullmind

SWCEC talks about unique opportunities and challenges in rural schools, how partnerships are breaking down barriers, and why collaboration is key to student success.

August 2024 - High Country News

Clustered near the Four Corners in Colorado, the coalition of nine rural districts has partnered with higher education and business leaders to successfully expand career and college pathways for their students.

May 2024 - KSJD Radio Interview

SWCEC provides programs and resources to help students in rural areas explore different pathways as they start their careers. KSJD's Tom Yoder talked with the executive director, Jessica Morrison, about how the collaborative got their start and the many ways they are making an impact on local students.

May 2024 - Build Momentum Podcast

This is the final episode in a four-part series focusing on rural collaboratives that are developing opportunities for students in specialized career pathways.

March 2024 - The Journal

Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative brings industry resources and opportunities to area students.

March 2024 - Durango Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative recently launched a key initiative to help connect businesses and organizations who are interested in work-based learning opportunities for students in our region.

March 2024 - Pinto Bean, Page 11

SWCEC’s key initiative in 2024 is Career Launch Southwest, a platform for connecting businesses and other organizations who are invested in providing work based learning opportunities to students across the region.

March 2024 - Woodwork Career Alliance

The Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative has grown in size and scope, providing more resources and opportunities for students to hone their skills for potential entry into the trades.

October 2022 - Durango Herald

SWCEC pulls together business owners, industry leaders and schools from nine districts

October 2022 - Building A Shared Future

A regional series of career & college design sessions with SWCEC.

April 2022: Redefining Rural Podcast

SWCEC sits down with the Redefining Rural Podcast to discuss innovation and college & career readiness.

March 2022 - Colorado Commission on Higher Education

Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Report

March 2022 - Woodworking Network

Five Colorado school districts pool their resources to better teach the trades

Februrary 2022 - Colorado Succeeds

Career & Technical Education Month 2022

February 2022 - WCA of North America

SW Colorado Education Collaborative Unites Five Woodshop Programs

January 2022 - The Durango Herald

Knowledge is power: Understanding how to access college early and save money

December 2021 - The Durango Herald

Fulfilling our mission with educators as our guide

December 2021 - The Durango Herald

Southwest Colorado nonprofit building pathways from classrooms to careers

November 2021 - Silverton Standard

Colorado State Representative Spends Day in Silverton

November 2021 - The Durango Herald

The collaborative approach: Conversations with our next generation

October 2021 - The Durango Herald

The collaborative approach: Rethinking how we serve students in our rual area

August 2021 - The 74 Million

How Colorado’s Homegrown Talent Initiative Is Boosting the ‘Educonomy’ in 8 Rural Communities to Help Students Succeed

March 2021 - The Durango Herald

Bayfield school superintendent to lead Southwest educational collaborative

January 2021 - Local News Network Durango

Southwest Colorado Colleges and School Districts to Share Resources

November 2020 - The Journal

State awards $3.6 million for learning collaborative in SW Colorado

March 2024 - Durango Chamber of Commerce Down to Business Podcast

SWCEC sits down with to discuss a new and exciting tool for growing our workforce: Career Launch Southwest!