University of Denver Spring 2025

Roots in the Rockies: How DU’s Homegrown Social Workers Are Transforming Mountain Communities The Graduate School of Social Work’s Western Colorado program is building a formidable local workforce west of the Continental Divide.

glenwood Springs

E ach year, over 1 million visitors travel along G rand Avenue in G lenwood S prings, a four - lane artery linking the historic downtown to I -70 and neighboring mountain towns. Amid this busy stretch stands an unassuming 1970 s - style log building with white trim, marked by a sign that reads : “ U niversity of D enver G raduate S chool of S ocial W ork.” D espite its demure appearance, the program inside is anything but small. O ver the past decade, DU ’s W estern Colorado M aster of S ocial W ork (MSW) P rogram has provided invaluable educational opportunities to rural regions across Colorado — covering S ummit, E agle, G ar fi eld, P itkin and M esa counties, areas that make up 87% of the state’s counties experiencing a shortage of mental health professionals. W hile the beauty of the surrounding landscape is undeniable, the need the program addresses is immense. Its superpower is preparing local students to understand and serve in diverse rural contexts. From schools and hospitals to clinics, rehabilitation centers, veteran’s affairs of fi ces, hospice centers and youth counseling services, nearly every sector has ties to DU , a testament to the growing web of skilled workers the program has produced. S tudents commute — sometimes for hours, in rain, snow, sleet or shine — every Friday to G lenwood S prings for classes, then spread out across the region for fi eld education during the week. W ith a nearly 100% completion rate, graduates have rolled up their sleeves and helped to transform the regional social work landscape, building a network that is vital to the well - being and future of rural communities in W estern Colorado. In the community, for the community R achel Forbes, program director for the W estern Colorado program, spent her fi rst day on the job in 2013 building the program’s home base on G rand Avenue from scratch, ripping open IK E A boxes and tediously tightening screws. H er willingness to dive right in and get the job done exempli fi es the program’s overall ethos and reputation.

Its decade - long success and support in the region stems from adapting to community needs, says Forbes, who spent countless hours on mountain roads cultivating relationships with regional partners when she started her position. “ W e wanted the curriculum to be community - informed,” she says. “ S omebody would say, ‘ T here’s an opioid crisis, and we don’t have enough clinicians who understand that practice area. It would be awesome if you could train your students in substance use and misuse disorders.’” In turn, Forbes has kept the program responsive and relevant. S tudents have logged more than 100 , 000 fi eld education hours at local organizations, planting the seeds for not only post - graduation career paths but also a pipeline of skilled workers ready to enter a talent thirsty workforce. “ Y ou can have all the academic training. Y ou can read all the articles. But unless you’re able to transfer what you’re learning in the classroom into real - world scenarios with messy humans, nothing is going to make sense to the student,” says J arid R ollins, a licensed clinical social worker at M id V alley Family P ractice in Basalt and adjunct instructor who has supervised several DU students. R ollins says DU students have an exceptional level of passion and commitment, due to the q uality of the students the program attracts. Cohorts are diverse, with students ranging from those in their early 20 s to mid career changers in their 50 s, each bringing distinctive cultural and professional experiences. “It feels like a collection of interesting and dynamic human beings coming together with very open hearts, trying to do our best to learn how to be helpful in our communities,” says R enee P rince, a current MSW student who chose the program during a career change because of its in - person learning.

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UNIVERSITY OF DENVER MAGAZINE | SPRING 2025