Colorado School of Mines joins Front Range Consortium, expanding Colorado’s national security network

Colorado School of Mines has joined the Front Range Consortium, expanding a growing network that connects partner colleges and universities with government and industry to address the nation’s most pressing national security challenges.

Mines will contribute expertise in vital areas such as critical minerals, energy, quantum, space resources and additive manufacturing to help strengthen and broaden the national security network within the state.

“Joining the Front Range Consortium creates new opportunities for Mines students and faculty to bring their expertise to some of the most consequential technical challenges facing our nation,” said Mark Van Dyke, vice president for research at Colorado School of Mines. “Mines has distinctive strengths in areas critical to national security, and we look forward to combining that expertise with the capabilities of our partners across Colorado. The strongest solutions to these complex challenges will come from collaboration, and the Front Range Consortium gives us another important avenue to turn research, innovation and talent into national impact.”

The FRC is currently exploring ways to integrate Mines across the consortium to address national security priorities.

“The School of Mines brings to the Front Range Consortium network a unique breadth and depth of experience and expertise that will add to the collaborative and impactful contributions of the Rocky Mountain region to our country’s national security,” said Col. (Ret.) Paul Huffman, director of the FRC, which is based at the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation. “Bringing Colorado’s leading academic institutions, government and industry together creates opportunities to turn world-class research and talent into solutions for our nation’s most important security challenges.”

The FRC was established in 2024 with generous founding support of The Anschutz Foundation. With the addition of Colorado School of Mines, the consortium now includes eight institutions of higher education:

• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Colorado State University
• United States Air Force Academy
• University of Colorado-Boulder
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs
• University of Colorado-Denver
• University of Denver

Together, the institutions are connected to a broader national security network that includes combatant commands, government agencies, national laboratories and defense-industry partners. The consortium strengthens Colorado’s position as a national hub for developing the talent, research and innovation needed to address current and future national security challenges.

About Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines is a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, producing the talent, knowledge and innovations to serve industry and benefit society — all to create a more prosperous future.

About the Front Range Consortium

With a mission to connect the Front Range to the front lines, the Front Range Consortium facilitates partnerships that share world-class research, experiential learning, student engagement, mentorship, and internship and scholarship opportunities to directly impact national security now and in the future. The FRC is hosted by the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation at the U.S. Air Force Academy.

About the U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation

The U.S. Air Force Academy Association & Foundation, which represents the joint mission of the Association of Graduates and Air Force Academy Foundation, exists to serve USAFA graduates, support the Academy in its mission to develop leaders of character for the Air Force and Space Force, and preserve the heritage of the institution.