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Student Experience

At Mines, it’s easy to find your people. You know us for world-class academics and hands-on learning, but what might surprise you is how quickly Mines feels like home.  Set in Golden, Colorado, with the Rocky Mountains in your backyard, you'll get a college experience that’s rigorous, rewarding and unmistakably Mines.

Start Strong

Your Mines experience kicks off before your first class. Through Helluva Welcome orientation and Oredigger Camp, you'll meet classmates, build connections and experience life in the Colorado Rockies. By the time the semester begins, you'll already feel part of the community.

A group of first-year Mines students celebrate completing the M Climb as part of the annual Helluva Welcome program.

Helluva Welcome

All incoming students take part in our award-winning orientation each August, a weeklong program that helps you get to know campus that we call Helluva Welcome!

Mines freshman student poses with Blaster the Burro at the Move In Day BBQ.

Move In Day BBQ

Move into your new home, meet fellow Orediggers and celebrate the start of your Mines journey with family, friends and a community BBQ before the adventure begins.

Mines students roast marshmallows over a campfire at Oredigger Camp as part of new student orientation.

Oredigger Camp

Kick off your first year with two-and-a-half days of hanging out, making friends and learning what it means to be an Oredigger in Colorado’s famous Rocky Mountains.

students wearing hardhats lift rocks during m climb

M Climb

Started in 1908, first-year students start their Mines journey with a short hike up Mt. Zion carrying a rock from their hometown to add to the famous hillside “M.”

A Campus That Feels Like Home

Mines brings together students from around the world who are driven, curious and eager to make an impact. The academic challenge is real but so is the sense of community.

  • 200+ student organizations and clubs 
  • Oredigger traditions honoring 150+ years of engineering history 
  • A collaborative and supportive campus culture 
  • Students from all around the country and the world

Explore Campus Life >

You're Going to Love It Here

Mines student working on a laptop in a residence hall

Residence Life

Living on campus is the best way to fully engage in the Oredigger experience. Residence halls create communities where you’ll build friendships, find support and grow together.

Students in Downtown Golden

Living in Golden

Set in the Rocky Mountain foothills, Golden offers adventure in every direction. Spend mornings on mountain trails, grab lunch downtown, then head to nearby Red Rocks Amphitheatre for a concert with friends. Golden combines the spirit of a western mountain town with the energy of the Denver metro area.

Find Your People

The experiences you'll remember most often happen outside the classroom. Whether you join a professional society, compete in club sports, volunteer or pursue a new hobby, Mines offers endless ways to get involved and make connections. 

Mines Marching Band students play instruments in a St. Patrick's Day parade in Denver.
Student Organizations

Explore more than 200 groups focused on leadership, service, recreation, culture and professional development. 

Student Organizations
Mines women's basketball athlete dribbling the ball on court through the opposing team's defense.
Sports and Recreation

Stay active through 18 NCAA varsity teams, club sports, intramurals and outdoor adventures. 

Sports & Recreation
Mines students pose behind Blaster the Burro at E Days Ore Cart Pull to the capitol.
Mines Traditions and Events

Celebrate what it means to be an Oredigger through events and traditions that bring campus together.

Events
Mines student standing in a business suit preparing for a leadership workshop.
Develop Your Leadership Potential

Mines builds your leadership skills through a range of programs that develop your ability to be a thoughtful, self-aware visionary in engineering and applied science. 

Leadership

Student Support
and Resources

Your well-being matters. From academic and personal support to health and wellness services, you'll find people who care about your growth, helping you feel connected, supported and prepared for anything.