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Monday 8am - 5pm Tuesday 8am - 5pm Wednesday 8am - 5pm Thursday 8am - 5pm Friday 8am - 5pm

Cottonwood Institute

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Denver, CO
Cottonwood Institute

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Cottonwood Institute’s (CI) mission is to connect middle and high school students to the outdoors and inspire them to become leaders, problem-solvers, and changemakers in their communities. CI collaborates with schools and youth organizations to provide high quality, high impact environmental education and service-learning programs. CI programs empower students to ignite change, not just talk abou

t it. Cottonwood Institute’s change theory is: Gift + Issue = Change. Every student has a gift and when they apply it to an issue they are passionate about, they will change themselves. That change will ripple out to their friends and family; their schools and communities; the environment; and the world.

06/05/2026

It’s officially summer at Cottonwood Institute! 💙

We’re gearing up for some incredible summer programs full of fishing, white water rafting, hiking, exploring and nature games galore!

What are you excited for this summer?

06/04/2026

AXL Academy middle schoolers had a blast exploring the ponds St. Vrain State Park with some birding and fishing activities, but also by following a compass course that led them to them to a special surprise!

Swipe to see the silly aftermath of the piñata!

Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/f8la50Z7HTp

06/03/2026

Join us for a special reception on Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 from 2-4pm to see local Denver artist Mike Wilson's 14er watercolor art displayed at the Colorado State Capitol Building in celebration of Colorado's 150th Anniversary!

Mike painted all 53 peaks and so graciously donated the artwork to Cottonwood Institute to support our mission of breaking down barriers and providing more children with the opportunity to experience the outdoors.

If you are interested in purchasing these prints to help fund The Cottonwood Institute, please follow this link: https://ow.ly/ynY050YTGvb

Thank you to Sammy Nigh, Sensaria Decor and Great Big Canvas for your help making this exhibit possible!

Learn more about Creative Capitol Colorado’s Fourteeners Exhibition: https://ow.ly/eXVg50YTGve

06/01/2026

We had a ribbiting time fishing and exploring the ponds at St. Vrain State Park!

Not only did we see ospreys, pelicans, and great blue herons, but AXL Academy middle schoolers also found a frog during our macroinvertebrates lesson.

They watched and waited patiently for the frog to hop into their bucket and then gently released it back into the water afterwards.

05/30/2026

We're excited to see you next week at Mothapalooza!

Join us for a free event to learn about moths and nighttime ecosystems, hear from a guest expert, and observe moths up close at illuminated viewing stations!

🗓️ June 4, 2026
⏰ 7:30–9:30 PM
📍Beech Shelter, Beech Trail, Longmont, CO 80503

Thank you DarkSky Colorado, People and Pollinators Action Network, and the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History for collaborating to make Mothapalooza possible!

Learn more and register for Mothapalooza here: https://ow.ly/XO7E50Z1qbs

05/29/2026

We made native wildflower seed bombs!!

AXL Academy middle schoolers learned about the importance of native plants and pollinators. They made over 100 seed bombs to distribute for free to families in Aurora!

What are you planting this Spring?

05/26/2026

“I’m on top of the woooooorld!” one student exclaimed after climbing up a large hill and admiring the vast view from atop.

In between games, Angevine middle schoolers whittled and whittled and whittled away.

Get the full story here: https://ow.ly/70r650Z2Yot

05/22/2026

The look of pure joy when you catch your first fish! 🎣

Angevine middle schoolers made new memories as a CAP class, fishing at Waneka Lake, whittling, and exploring trees before heading to our overnight at Camp Patiya in Boulder.

Stay tuned to learn more about the rest of our camping trip...

Or get a sneak peak here: https://www.cottonwoodinstitute.org/program-news/joy-in-the-hills-angevine-overnight/

05/21/2026

We are still amazed by the incredible turn out of our 3rd Annual Cottonwood Ancestral Skills Gathering!

This event brought together people from across Colorado and beyond for a day of learning and community connections at Ollin Farms!

Thank you again to all the instructors and volunteers who made this event so successful:

Mark and Darla from Warp and Woolens, Jane from the Handweavers Guild of Boulder, Staci from Fashion REBELution, Kira White from Boulder Forest Therapy, Linda at Bolder Felt LLC, Henry from the Longmont Museum, Ken Wee, Chris Beacom (all the way from Austin!), Kristina McCurdy, Flora Wolf, Tony Zimmerman, Luke VanHorne, Ryan Copeland, and all the Changemakers, Alumni, and Cottonwood staff who taught classes and helped with everything!

Check out our Skills Gathering blog post: https://www.cottonwoodinstitute.org/upcoming-events/community-connections-ancestral-skills/

05/19/2026

Succulents and morning glories galore!

New Vista CAP students spent their field day at Ollin Farms in Longmont, planting and playing games along the creek.

Swipe to see a surprise soil creature…

Check out the full story on our blog: https://ow.ly/ucW550Z1UK3

Address

Cottonwood Institute, C/o PHI Hub, 4800 Dahlia Street, #D13
Denver, CO
80216

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Telephone

+13034471076

Website

http://www.cottonwoodinstitute.org/

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