Couple’s $6.25M gifts to Colorado Mesa University expands rural access with scholarships

Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction has received a $6.25 million-plus commitment from Jim and Sharen Branscome to expand access for rural students at its Montrose campus. The award includes two endowed scholarship funds; one supporting local students balancing academics with real-life demands, the other boosting a broader regional fund launched with an earlier $1 million gift. Both funds are currently funding scholarships across the regions. A planned $5 million estate gift will help scale the couple’s impact, ensuring long-term support. The investment will help students from rural communities complete degrees locally while strengthening the Montrose campus as a critical education hub.