Western Colorado University Events

TL;DR:

Western Colorado University offers a full calendar of events for students, families and locals. Homecoming, art exhibits, concerts, ski weekends and graduation blend campus life with the mountain-town spirit of Gunnison.

• Western has academic events, homecoming events, art events, skiing events, family events and sporting events.
• Visitors and locals can take advantage of fitness classes, a campus climbing gym and community events.
• Western is just a couple of blocks from downtown Gunnison, providing easy access to lodging, dining and recreation.

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Western Colorado University (WCU) is a small public university in Gunnison. Located just a few blocks from Main Street, it is a vital part of Gunnison’s community. Western hosts a variety of events such as the homecoming parade, art exhibits and graduation throughout the year. Whether you’re a community member, a parent or a prospective student, this event guide can help you learn more about WCU events.

Academic calendar events

Move-in day

Move-in day is in mid-August. This is a chance to meet your student’s RA, see their dorm, and explore campus and Gunnison.

Campus visits

Western offers daily campus visits and an open house every few months. These are opportunities for prospective students and their loved ones to visit campus and learn more about Western. The daily campus visit includes an info session, campus tour and faculty meeting.

The open house, called Basecamp Western, offers a big-picture look at life at Western. Learn about the campus, the college community, and Gunnison while meeting current students and staff, and faculty. Other campus visit opportunities are Ascend Western and Summit Western. These programs are designed for admitted students and deposited students, respectively.

Move out

Students move out of campus housing after finals in early May.

Graduation

Graduation is typically held at the beginning of May. Come out to Gunnison and celebrate your student’s milestone. There are often other events around graduation, such as receptions, award ceremonies and photo opportunities. The Family Reception offers graduating students and their families the chance to connect with friends, professors, and university staff. Check out other spring things to do in Gunnison this time of year.

Homecoming Events

Homecoming is one of Western’s biggest events of the year. Homecoming is a weekend-long affair in October with events for alumni, current students and the community.

Alumni Events

Each year, along with celebrating all Mountaineers, homecoming celebrates specific alumni graduation cohorts. In 2025, homecoming celebrated classes ending in 0 and 5. Alumni are invited to attend classes, go on group bike rides and hikes and stop by a welcome reception with refreshments and old yearbooks to peruse. Other events include a reunion breakfast with current students, staff and faculty. Alumni can also relive their college days and participate in sporting events such as rugby and volleyball. Head into Gunnison to see what’s new since attending WCU.

Homecoming Parade

The weekend kicks off with the homecoming parade. Line the sides of Main Street as floats from student organizations, athletic teams and clubs drive by. Catch candy and Mountaineer swag from the floats while celebrating Gunnison’s hometown team.

Lighting of the W

Following the parade, gather in front of the Paul M. Rady School for the iconic lighting of the W. Enjoy food and drinks while watching performances by the cheer team and drumline. Look towards W Mountain while Western’s Mountain Rescue Team lights the W.

Tailgate Party

Meet in the Mountaineer Fieldhouse parking lot before the homecoming game for food, games and music. This event brings the campus and the community together.

Mountaineer Football Game

Cheer for a Western win at the homecoming football game! Mad Jack, Western’s mascot, is there to hype up the crowd. Western’s cheer and dance team gives a performance at halftime.

Art events

Concerts

The music program puts on several concerts a year. Most of these events are free and open to the public. Western has a symphonic band, concert choir, chamber orchestra, jazz and steel band, and a faculty music group. Each group puts on several concerts a year. End-of-year recitals and the holiday gala are some of the biggest performances of the year.

Theatre

The Western Theatre Company puts on plays, readings, variety shows, performance art, trapeze performances and more. Past performances include Christmas Carol, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. Students also write and perform pieces.

Student art exhibits

The art department hosts student art exhibits several times a year. These exhibits are usually accompanied with an opening reception where you can meet the artists and learn about their pieces while enjoying refreshments. The art convocation is one of the biggest events of the year for art students. It allows graduating students to show the culmination of the art they’ve made during their time at Western.

Skiing events

Rail Jam

This event is held on Taylor Lawn in the center of campus in February. Students use snow and other materials to build ramps and install rails. Cheer on students as they show off their park skills on skis and snowboards.

Western ski weekend

Ski with alumni and current students at Western Ski Weekend. Western has a booth and Mad Jack makes an appearance at Crested Butte Mountain Resort for Western Ski Weekend. It is usually held the same weekend as Rail Jam.

SpringFest

This annual concert is held at the Quigley Bandshell. Jive along to an opener, headliner and afterparty performance. Usually held during Earth Week, SpringFest also usually includes litter clean-up events around Gunnison and the Earth Week BBQ. Past years have also included a cardboard boat race, a student makers market and a student DJ battle.

Family Events

Family Weekend

Family Weekend is a chance for students’ loved ones to come to Gunnison and experience life at Western. Meet other students and families and the university president at a welcome reception. Embrace the crimson and black spirit at a Mountaineer football game. Other activities include guided hikes, music school concerts, Program Council events such as Sip ‘n Paint, and student-hosted events.

Sporting Events

Western Colorado University has a variety of sporting events to spectate. Catch an event on your trip or travel to see your student play. Western is part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). Western also has a mountain sports program and club sports. Fun fact: the Mountaineer Bowl, remodeled in 2024, Western’s football stadium, is the highest college stadium in the U.S. The women’s soccer team also got a new turf field in 2024.

NCAA Sports

• Women’s soccer
• Women’s swimming and diving
• Women’s volleyball
• Men and women’s basketball
• Men and women’s cross country
• Men and women’s track and field
• Men and women’s wrestling
• Football

Club sports

• Baseball
• Men’s basketball
• Boxing
• Figure skating
• Men’s hockey
• Women’s hockey
• Men’s lacrosse
• Rugby
• Soccer
• Softball
• Women’s volleyball

Mountain sports

• Freeride skiing and snowboarding
• Mountain biking
• Trail running
• Nordic skiing
• Alpine skiing
• Climbing
• Ski mountaineering

Gym classes

The Western Fieldhouse hosts fitness classes throughout the school year. Most classes are open to drop-ins with a small fee. Some classes include yoga, spin and strength training. The fieldhouse is also outfitted with a climbing wall, indoor track and pool.

Western Stats

Class size (average 16 to 17 students), acceptance rate (97%-100), degrees offered (over 100 undergrad, 7 grad), student population (approx. 3,569)

Visiting Gunnison

Likely, when visiting Western Colorado University, you’ll stay in Gunnison. Use the opportunity to explore one of Colorado’s coolest mountain towns. Gunnison has a variety of lodging options that include vacation rentals, major chain hotels, locally owned hotels and inns, and campgrounds with cabins and RV hookups. Main Street provides shopping opportunities, coffee shops, bars, and dining that includes Spanish tapas, made-from-scratch pizza, and American cuisine.

Things to do in Gunnison

Gunnison is a paradise of year-round recreation. Spring brings early-season mountain biking at Hartman Rocks, gravel biking and rafting on the Gunnison River. Summer is packed with wildflowers, hiking, biking, outdoor concerts, markets and patio dining.

Mountain biking season continues into fall. This is also a prime time to gravel bike. Head to Hartman rocks for fat biking and cross-country skiing in the winter. Hop on the free bus to Crested Butte Mountain Resort for downhill skiing and more year-round outdoor recreation opportunities.

Plan your trip

Book flights, browse lodging and plan some fun during your trip to Western Colorado University with our trip planning guide.