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Six years ago, southwest Colorado resident Mary Hearding launched��, providing academic support to students both locally in and near Telluride, Colorado, and globally through videoconferences. She also began the�� to aid students who don’t have the financial means for a tutor.��

The program’s successful launch was due in part to her involvement with the��Rural Colorado Workshop Series (RCWS), a certificate course offered through ���Ҵ�ý�ƽ��������Leed’s Deming Center for Entrepreneurship for citizens in rural and native Colorado areas.

Led by��Erick Mueller (MBA’99), executive director of the Deming Center, the volunteer-run program pairs CU business faculty with local organizations throughout Colorado. Each year for five years, community members attend an in-person, day-and-a-half meeting focused on entrepreneurship and business vitality in their region.��

“���Ҵ�ý�ƽ������ is Colorado’s flagship university,” said Mueller. “I think it’s important we give back to our state.”��

RCWS’ first two sessions focus on turning ideas into businesses, the third and fourth focus on scaling existing businesses and the final session provides tools for enhancing companies through aspects like technology, marketing or performance management.��

Mueller has been involved in all 45 of the program’s weekend workshops since they began in 2015. He’s fueled by job creation and elevated entrepreneurial ecosystems, he said. One report out of Chaffee County, for instance, said 56 jobs were connected with workshop series attendees founding or growing companies.��

“It’s such a gift to see these amazing community members act on their passions,” he said.��

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Map image courtesy Raven Maps & Images

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