Outdoor Program

About Us

The Outdoor Program is Colorado Mesa University’s headquarters for outdoor adventure and education. We are a student-fee funded organization, whose purpose is to offer and promote affordable, safe and environmentally conscious outdoor trips. Our mission is to inspire growth and foster connections through a shared passion for the outdoors. We aim to accomplish this mission by offering trips, outings, expeditions, courses, and equipment rentals. Trips happen most weekends in the semester, and are offered at a subsided cost for students. Our outings are offered weekday afternoon/evenings and are completely FREE to students. Just show up at the meeting time and find your new connection to the Grand Junction area. Expeditions happen over school breaks and are longer in length, and travel further than we can in a short weekend. We currently offer Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder, and Wilderness First Responder recertification courses through Desert Mountain Medicine that are available to anyone, in or outside of the campus community. Then finally our rental shop offers affordable prices for gear to enable your the adventures you want to take on your own time. Anyone is able to rent equipment from us whether you're enrolled full time in classes, or have never stepped foot on campus.

So when we go outside what does that look like you may ask... A variety of things! A current list of the sports we offer are listed below, and we are always seeking to grow and expand to meet everyone where they are at.

• Climbing
• Whitewater rafting
• Paddleboarding
• Slacklining
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Backpacking
• Camping
• Canyoneering
• Cross country skiing
• Backcountry skiing & splitboarding
• Snowshoeing
• Ice climbing

Whether you’re a student, alumni or a member of the local community, the Outdoor Program is available to anyone seeking adventure on Colorado’s Western Slope. No experience is necessary!

CMU Outdoor Program Ski Swap

The CMU Outdoor Program Ski Swap is a simple way to give your gear a new life without having to manage the sale yourself. You drop off your skis, snowboards, or other winter equipment at the Outdoor Program, and we take care of the sale of your gear. We handle storage, tagging, and display so your gear is ready for buyers at the Ski Swap.

Bring your gear to the Outdoor Program starting the week of October 20th. You’ll fill out a short form that includes your suggested sale price for each item. Once dropped off, your equipment will be stored securely until the Ski Swap.

At the ski swap your items will be displayed for sale alongside other consigned gear. Shoppers will see your suggested price, and OP staff will handle all questions and transactions.

When your item sells, the OP will process the payment. You will receive the final amount minus a 20% consignment fee, which supports the Outdoor Program. Payments will be available for pickup at the OP office during the week following the swap.

If your gear doesn’t sell, it will be returned to the Outdoor Program. Items can be picked up starting November 18th. 

Bring in your gear to the CMU outdoor Program at 1060 North Ave, Grand Junction, CO.  Here our staff will get your gear all setup for consignment.  

For questions please call (970) 248-1428. 

• Wilderness Medicine courses now available!