The Colorado State Board of Education (CSBOE) visited the Roaring Fork Valley last week. State Board of Education Commissioner Susana Córdova shared insights with The Sopris Sun about what they learned.
On June 11, Córdova and the CSBOE toured the Roaring Fork School District’s (RFSD) Meadowood staff housing project in Carbondale. Located near North Face Park on Meadowood Drive adjacent to Roaring Fork High School, the 50-unit initiative, which broke ground last July, includes eight studios, 10 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom and 16 three-bedroom units.
Córdova was “incredibly impressed” by RFSD’s commitment to supporting educators by providing affordable and convenient housing options.
“It’s the largest example of teacher housing in Colorado. It certainly seems like the investment in creating opportunities for educators to live in their communities reflects the community’s values for education here,” she said.
Córdova admired the two-bedroom model, noting, “Can you imagine you’re here, and then you’ve got a view of Mount Sopris? It’s just beautiful!”
Additionally, on June 11, Córdova and the CSBOE visited Garfield County School District 16 to explore their Career and Technical Education (CTE) center, highlighting welding, agriculture and automotive education programs. They also toured Garfield RE-2’s One Door Family Resource Center in Rifle, which offers comprehensive support services to local families.
Córdova emphasized the importance of seeing educational initiatives firsthand.
“The [Colorado state] legislature passes laws and then hands them to this board to create rules to implement the laws. It’s helpful to have a context as they consider what rules you put around the different laws and how you implement them statewide,” she explained.
During their visit, the CSBOE held its regular board meeting on June 12 and 13 at Morgridge Commons in Glenwood Springs.