The Catalyst

The Catalyst The independent student newspaper of Colorado College, published weekly in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Catalyst is a weekly newspaper, produced and managed exclusively by the students of The Colorado College. Published for the benefit of the college community and the surrounding local area, The Catalyst aims to bring general interest and academic-oeriented news, ideas and opinions into greater collective view-to act as a catalyst for informed debate. The newspaper is published under the auspices of Cutler Publications, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, independent of The Colorado College.

OPINION: The Case for Liberal Arts“Whether it be because of TikTok, Instagram Reels or a nationwide anti-higher educatio...
09/11/2026

OPINION: The Case for Liberal Arts

“Whether it be because of TikTok, Instagram Reels or a nationwide anti-higher education sentiment, it seems like high school grads are flocking to big state schools rather than small liberal arts colleges. While the obvious rationale would be finances, even students from affluent areas appear to have fallen for the allure of 100,000-seat stadiums and 100-seat lecture halls. 

This, to many people, is what comes to mind when they think of the college experience. As someone who went to a large public high school in Texas, I watched this phenomenon occur firsthand — and resisted.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Lexi Chestney ’28
📸: Benji Rosenblum ’29

OPINION: Short Parties, Big Dreams“For CC students whose summers were taken up by internships or tedious jobs, much of t...
09/11/2026

OPINION: Short Parties, Big Dreams

“For CC students whose summers were taken up by internships or tedious jobs, much of the anticipation of returning to campus centers around CC’s social scene. While Colorado College is certainly not a top party school, we do understand what it means to work hard and play hard.

During Blocks 1 and 8, when the senior calendar makes its biannual appearances, we play the hardest. The document, formatted like a calendar and filled in by people hosting parties, spreads like wildfire. It might read like a challenge to go to a party a day for the whole Block. Though it only sticks around for a few short weeks, the anticipation surrounding the campus party scene quickly spreads throughout the student body and creates a giddy buzz during the beginning and end of the school year. 

This year has already seen incredible parties like “Craigsbiza,” “Jorts and Borgs” and the wig party, but unfortunately, each ended prematurely after either the Colorado Springs police or CC Campus Safety showed up to end the fun.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Celeste Hammer ’28
📸: Sabine Zentner ’27

FEATURES: A Blessing In Disguise: Tacos El Amigo #2“Tacos El Amigo #2 was everything we needed and more. The restauran...
09/11/2026

FEATURES: A Blessing In Disguise: Tacos El Amigo #2

“Tacos El Amigo #2 was everything we needed and more. The restaurant, clad in a purple exterior, was tucked in between a laundromat and a smoke shop, just a seven minute drive from campus. 

The vibe upon entry was a little overwhelming for two newbies — the tables were packed with families, the line for to-go food was crowding the ordering counter and we had no idea where to sit or where to find a menu. Not to mention the tables were quite close together and Sydney kept almost knocking strangers’ food on the floor with her purse.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Syndey McGarr ’27 and Michaela Ocko ’27
📸: Michaela Ocko ’27

A&E: Three Years with MICC: What a Night!“The lights were dim. The couches were filled. CC students were excited to shar...
09/11/2026

A&E: Three Years with MICC: What a Night!

“The lights were dim. The couches were filled. CC students were excited to share their musical talents at the first acoustic open mic organized by Colorado College Music Initiative Collective (MICC). 

“Playing music that not only excites them but excites the community,” said David Sigman ‘27.

MICC started three years ago. This week’s event had 80 to 100 attendees, according to Luca Zoeller ‘27. The club has seen an increase in event attendance. When the club had just begun, Zoeller said, shows had between 40 and 50 people in attendance.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Allison Garcia ’29
📸: Allison Garcia ’29

SPORTS: CC Tigers Shine at First Home Meet“The 19th annual UCCS Rust Buster Cross Country Meet took place last Saturday,...
09/11/2026

SPORTS: CC Tigers Shine at First Home Meet

“The 19th annual UCCS Rust Buster Cross Country Meet took place last Saturday, Sept. 5 at Monument Valley Park. Students and parents lined up in the early morning heat to watch CCXC’s first home meet of the season. The Tigers were the only Division III team racing, which did not stop them from setting the bar high after both teams placed well in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference last year, with the women’s team placing 23rd at DIII nationals and the men placing 25th.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Olivia Link ’28
📸: Olivia Link ’28

NEWS: CC Underenrolls for Third Straight Year, Acceptance Rate at 15-Year High“Kristof says that there are several facto...
09/11/2026

NEWS: CC Underenrolls for Third Straight Year, Acceptance Rate at 15-Year High

“Kristof says that there are several factors beyond the demographic cliff that explain the drop in admissions and enrollment. She also told The Catalyst that families are turned off by the almost $100,000 per year price tag and more students are turning down CC in favor of larger institutions in different parts of the country, like the Southeast, for example.

“This generation of applicants are going to large regional public [colleges] because they have a social scene that small private liberal arts colleges don’t,” Whitaker said. 

Public faith in higher education has crumbled in recent years. According to a 2025 Pew Research Center study, 70% of Americans think that college education is headed in the wrong direction, up from 56% in 2020. All of this comes as the Trump Administration has devoted significant time to attacking and defunding institutions of higher education.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Veronica Bianco ’27
📈: Cameron Lara ’29
📸: Benji Rosenblum ’29

NEWS: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs Prepares for Centennial Celebration with New CEO and Giraffe Enclosure“I...
09/11/2026

NEWS: Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs Prepares for Centennial Celebration with New CEO and Giraffe Enclosure

“In the foothills above Colorado Springs, winding paths and roaring lions lay beyond the gates of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. You can also hear the beeping and whirring, bonking and hammering of heavy construction machinery.

The zoo is gearing up for its centennial celebration this September with a new president and CEO. A brand new giraffe enclosure near the entrance is getting some finishing touches before its unveiling.
Dave Ruhl stepped into the lead role earlier this summer after spending six years with the zoo. He has a background in zoo architecture and helped design the new giraffe center with previous CEO Bob Chastain. 

“It started as a small addition to the existing building,” said Ruhl. “The more research we did, the more creative we got and it grew into this fantastic exhibit.’”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Orion Cenkl ’27
📸: Provided by Orion Cenkl ’27

NEWS: CC Groundskeeping Seeks to Adapt to Historic Colorado Drought“CC Grounds Supervisor, John Nichols, estimates that ...
09/11/2026

NEWS: CC Groundskeeping Seeks to Adapt to Historic Colorado Drought

“CC Grounds Supervisor, John Nichols, estimates that the campus uses 20 million gallons of water each year to maintain its 100-acre campus. According to Nichols, this water is all reused, nonpotable greywater, which is cheaper and more environmentally friendly. 

CC’s reduced water footprint is due, in part, to a conscious effort to integrate more native plants into landscaping plans. These projects include the New Student Orientation Generation Garden, now in its third year, increased use of organic fertilizer, turf aeration, low-flow device replacement and the recently revamped rooftop gardens on the Honnen Arts building and Tutt Library, run by Garden Specialist Mike Spruce.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Olivia Link ’28
📸: Olivia Link ’28

NEWS: A Check-in with Manya Whitaker“The 2026-27 academic year has started in earnest, inviting change in many respects....
09/11/2026

NEWS: A Check-in with Manya Whitaker

“The 2026-27 academic year has started in earnest, inviting change in many respects. For first-years, it means adjusting to college life. For returning students, it means adjusting to new schedules and living arrangements. 

For President Manya Whitaker, the new year means doing a lot of “change management.” CC’s organizational structure, budget and marketing are all undergoing shifts, requiring lots of communication from the administrative level. 

Whitaker’s communication tasks at the start of term include in-person dialogue, email communications and clarifying questions from the community. She plans to hold a presidential pop-up for students on Sept. 28, hoping to provide a space to shed light on matters of interest to students. 

“I’m here more and traveling less, so I’m able to connect with the community in ways that I couldn’t last year,” she said.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Tessa Frantz ’27
📸: Colorado College

OPINION: Is Your Apple Watch Making You Anxious?“Over the last few years, I have cycled through nearly every wearable fi...
09/05/2026

OPINION: Is Your Apple Watch Making You Anxious?

“Over the last few years, I have cycled through nearly every wearable fitness tracker on the market — Apple Watch, Oura Ring, Garmin and Fitbit — each one promising to track every variable known to man: Heart Rate Variability, VO2 Max and of course, sleep. I became obsessed with the metrics. Some mornings, I would roll out of bed feeling refreshed and grab my phone. 

“50 Sleep Score. Are you feeling okay, Ava?”

“Your heart rate is high. Take it easy today.” 

And like clockwork, the headache set in, bags appeared under my eyes and the day felt doomed before it even started.”

📲 Link in bio for full story 
✍️: Ava McCormick ’27
📸: Benji Rosenblum ’27

Address

Colorado Springs, CO
80903

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Catalyst posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category