Dear Editor,

I am writing in support of the wonderful little school in the mountains that is CCCK-8 in regards to the incoming recommendations for school closures next year.

As I am sure many other community members have told you, this school is a central part of the community in ways that really don’t translate to any other community - at least that I have ever seen. My family is new to the Coal Creek community, having moved out in search of a place where my son can learn to love the outdoors as I do and build a sense of resilience and confidence in himself as a person. This community has offered that and so much more. And the heart of it - whether it’s the 4th of July parade or the Halloween “Monsterville” events or the upcoming “Mountain Man” festival - is the school.

Aside from the fact that the school either hosts or participates in most events, children are what keep a community alive. And without the school, the parents will leave, turning this vibrant place into just another collection of second homes for wealthy Denver-ites.

Boulder County, as I’m sure you know, has acknowledged this fact and announced it will not be closing any mountain schools because of the vital and unique role they play. I ask you to do the same.

I will leave you with one last personal anecdote from my son’s first day at kindergarten at CCCK-8. Every year the whole school gathers to welcome the scared new little kids and as they enter the school for the first time. Then, an 8th grader takes their hand to walk them in (they will in turn walk the older kids out on the last day to say goodbye). My mom, who has been active in various schools across the country all her life, came out from California to watch. She sat there in amazement, mouth open.

“Who gets to have this? Nobody. I’ve never seen anything like this,” she said. Please let us keep what we have built.

Thank you for your time.

Erik Vance

Coal Creek Canyon