The outdoors is a pivotal part of the Colorado College experience, as the mountains draw prospective students to the school.
“There are so many outdoor-oriented people here, but it can still be really hard to get into the outdoors,” said Oliver Churchill ’27.
The place on campus that helps bridge that gap is the Outdoor Education Ahlberg Gear House, known for its bikes, skis and other outdoor gear.
Beyond the goofy nights of renting bikes, the Ahlberg Gear House is meant to be a resource for all CC students, both those already immersed in the outdoors and those just beginning to explore it.
According to the Outdoor Education mission statement, “We recognize a constant need to redefine and diversify outdoor culture.”
The statement continues: “As our student demographics change, the traditional definitions and identities of CC’s outdoor history and culture must evolve. Our growth allows for new and significant outdoor experiences for everyone.”
The Gear House provides equipment and experiences to students who previously lacked access, with the goal of reducing feelings of isolation. Meaningful inclusion begins with recognizing what already exists and being honest about it.
Rachael Abler, associate director of outdoor education, says Ahlberg intentionally moves away from the traditional consumer mindset that you need the “most expensive” gear to participate.
Instead, the Gear House prioritizes access, offering high-quality equipment at a low cost so all students can get outside. This is a feature that drew me to the school as a prospective applicant.
“To recreate safely outdoors, the equipment is essential,” Abler says.
The intentional selection of equipment is central to the mission of the Ahlberg Gear House.
“We have a lot of things that are available to rent that you can’t find in other places,” Abler says. For example, where else can someone rent a pair of hiking boots?
It’s a unique resource that sets CC apart. Rather than specializing in just one area, Abler says the “bigger priority” is providing a wide range of equipment to meet diverse student needs.
Many departments collaborate with the Gear House to offset rental costs for students who require equipment for their academic courses, expanding access and making outdoor experiences more affordable.
Peers and leaders, much like the employees and student body, strive to “remove that barrier of entry,” as Churchill ’27 puts it, resonating deeply as someone who has always sought access to resources, whether on whitewater rivers or elsewhere.
While gaining exposure to the outdoors can be challenging, the Gear House makes a clear effort to bridge that gap.
If the Gear House didn’t exist, the opportunities and experiences available to the student body could look very different. According to Churchill, “It would still probably be a pretty outdoorsy school, but I think it would be a lot more associated with wealth.”
The presence of the Ahlberg Gear House itself reflects its commitment to “making the outdoors a more inclusive space,” says Emma Mason ’27.
These efforts are reflected in Outdoor Education events and new initiatives, such as “Snow Day,” Churchill notes, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 21 and Sunday, Feb. 22. Snow Day is an event that is aimed at allowing students who have not had the opportunity to participate in certain winter activities, such as sledding, snowshoeing, skiing or snowboarding. Those who move forward in the application process select the activity of the day, and it is at no cost.
The Gear House introduced features designed to draw more student interest, including a new rental system that allows week-in-advance reservations. Access to equipment like Nordic skis, including cross-country skis, adds another layer of opportunity.
In Block 8, the Gear House will also host a gear sale in conjunction with its Pride Outside program. With a queer emphasis, the event welcomes not only members of the LGBTQ+ community but the broader campus, inviting students to celebrate, listen to music, share food and enjoy an inclusive outdoor space together.
The existence of the Gear House is an example of the mission and goals that Outdoor Education strives to achieve.