We aim to provide CC students opportunities to apply classroom knowledge and acquired skills to help expand what we know and understand about the social and ecological challenges we face living in the Rocky Mountain West, and across the globe. Our goal is for students to pursue their academic interests, or discover a new one, while working across disciplines on State of the Rockies student-led research and projects.  Students gain skills and practical experience conducting research, field data collection, interviews, producing video, printed materials, etc. while contemplating ways their work contributes to balancing human activity with ecosystem integrity.  We recognize the importance of sharing research findings through academic and creative outlets to help us gain new perspectives and to increase the diversity and size of our audience.