Living Here

Student Breakdown 

WSC has 2,400 undergraduate students, representing all 65 Colorado counties, all 50 states and several countries; 1/3 of our students come from outside of Colorado; 10% are students of color; 59% are men; 41% are women; 96% come from outside the Gunnison area.

Residence Halls 

All of our Residence Halls host special events and programs for the students. Activities this year include: S’more Toga Party, Moonlight Snowshoeing, The Classic Game of Twister Tournament, Dodegeball Tournament Fundraiser, Shamrock and Shinanigans Scavenger Hunt.

Gunnison

The population of Gunnison is approximately 7,500 people (including campus). About 1,000 Western State College alums live in the Gunnison area, which just goes to show how much our alumns love Gunnison and have a hard time leaving! To learn more about our town, check out the Gunnison Chamber of Commerce.

Sunny Gunny 

Gunnison enjoys over 300 days a year of sunshine. Between 1909 and 1925, Joseph Howland, owner of the La Veta Hotel offered a free meal to each guest on any day that the sun didn’t shine in Gunnison. The owner didn’t lose this standing bet too often! Today, we don’t have the offer of a ‘free meal’ when it’s cloudy . . . but we still have the glorious sunshine giving our town the nickname of Sunny Gunny! Check out our webcams to see current weather conditions.

Multicultural Center 

Our Multicultural Center and the clubs within are very active on campus. The Amigo’s, Asian Pacific Islanders, Black Student Alliance, and Native American Student Council all strive to promote cultural awareness on campus and in the community. A few of the annual events hosted include Luau, Carnaval, Soul food Night, Talent Show and Cinco De Mayo Celebration.

Program Council 

Each spring, Western’s Program Council hosts an all day concert called Springfest in the Academic Quad. In addition to Springfest, PC sponsors weekly movies, a Date Auction, comedians, hypnotists, and The Great Regurgitator on campus. 

"W" Mountain 

Western holds claim to the largest collegiate emblem in the world! The “W” on Tenderfoot Mountain can’t be missed as you drive through town especially when we light it on fire as one of our exciting Homecoming traditions! This 320ft x 420ft “W” is one of the largest man-made letters in the world.

Escalante Fitness Center 

The Escalante Fitness Center houses a 30 foot climbing wall where the routes are changed frequently to challenge climbers. In addition to the climbing wall, Escalante has a bouldering cave and wall, free fitness classes, and a variety of work out equipment.

Campus Facilities 

The college is located on a spacious 130 acre campus with 251 adjoining undeveloped acres, 1,100 acres on W mountain, and 40 buildings. Several buildings have recently been renovated or received additions: Hurst Hall $13.8 million renovation and addition(2000), addition of Taylor Studio Theatre(2001), Escalante Terrace $7 million renovation (2005), Leslie J. Savage Library renovation, and our newest project, Borick Hall, a new $7 million business building. Check out the virtual tour to learn more about our facilities.

Every winter, Crested Butte hosts many downhill and crosscountry ski races. Some are for serious competitors and others are just for fun. The “Alley Loop Race” is a cross country ski race that takes skiers through the alleys in Crested Butte. Competitors dress up in costumes and the day ends with a fun town party.