Capital Development Committee backs Red Rocks plan for new health‑sciences facility

Red Rocks Community College told the Capital Development Committee it needs a new facility to expand constrained health‑care programs and address regional workforce demand. Landon Pirius, president of Red Rocks Community College, said the college currently caps its registered‑nursing cohort at about 36 students and plans to grow capacity to roughly 180 if it secures a new building.

Pirius said the proposal centers on a roughly 28,000‑square‑foot building (a figure listed in the project packet as $28,605,000) on a parcel adjacent to a Foothills Regional Housing development in Wheat Ridge. He told the committee the college plans to fund construction with one‑third from college reserves, one‑third from philanthropic commitments and one‑third through debt financing, and that reserves could cover shortfalls if other funding sources fall short.

“The building we’re proposing is currently just over 28,000 square feet,” Pirius said, adding that about 21,000 square feet would be devoted to labs, simulation and classrooms for nursing, sonography and rad‑tech programs. He described the need as statewide and regional, noting employer requests for more graduates.

Committee members who spoke praised the workforce focus and the college’s funding plan. Senator Mullica moved to approve the new project listed on Red Rocks’ two‑year projection of cash needs. The committee’s roll call recorded a unanimous recommendation in favor, 6–0.

Next steps: the committee’s recommendation sends the project forward for the normal capital review and planning process. Red Rocks said it hopes to complete subdivision and acquisition this spring or early summer 2026 and begin construction later in 2026, with completion targeted for 2027 or, if delayed, 2028.