ALAMOSA — The Alamosa Board of County Commissioners made an “investment in the community,” on Wednesday. 

Lori Laske, director of alumni and donor relations for Adams State University, along with Toni DeAngelis, executive director of the Trinidad State Junior College Educational Foundation, and Adams State University President Dr. Cheryl Lovell brought a presentation and funding request for the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) to the board. Laske began her remarks with thanking the commissioners for their previous support of the program. She also noted that the funding has produced results for students at Adams State University and Trinidad State Junior College.

The COSI program is funded by county contributions in addition to matching funds from the state. Furthermore, the program is designed to assist area students in Alamosa County and across the San Luis Valley who meet residency and income requirements and who are either enrolled at Adams State University or Trinidad State Junior College with their college-related expenses.

Citing research from Stanford University Laske noted that students who complete their degree are more likely to make an investment back into the community. In 2018, 21 scholarships were awarded. Many of the 2018 scholarship recipients were present at the meeting and were given the opportunity to come forward to introduce themselves to the commissioners and tell about their majors.

Following the introductions and a group photo, Laske and DeAngelis made the official request for a total of $13,566 along with a letter of support for the program. The request was unanimously approved by the commissioners, which brought a cheer from the presenters.