Posted November 13, 2025
Born and raised in Italy, Isaac Cavraro remembers being surrounded—and mesmerized—by beautiful buildings with rich history. When his family moved to Colorado in 2018, he continued to take notice of his environment and how a community’s design could benefit those who live there. He was especially interested in Denver’s buildings and cityscapes.
When it came to choosing a college, Cavraro had his sights set on the University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver), where he could follow his passion for design and pursue an architecture degree in the heart of a vibrant city. “It is great to be able to study what you love,” the first-year student said. “Denver is an amazing city to inspire people to be creative.”
Cavraro is one of nearly 940 graduates of Jeffco Public Schools who attend CU Denver. Because of a new agreement with the school district—which is Colorado’s second largest—more students like him will have a pathway to a CU Denver education. The agreement gives Jeffco Public Schools juniors who have a weighted GPA of at least 3.0 and seniors who have a weighted or unweighted GPA of at least 3.0 guaranteed admission into CU Denver. Students from this district who meet the GPA requirements will also have their application fees waived.
The agreement marks the third of its kind for CU Denver this year. Earlier this fall, the university finalized partnerships with Denver Public Schools and Aurora Public Schools. As an institution committed to making education work for all, these agreements underscore the importance of access, opportunity, and CU Denver’s public service obligation. “As the state’s premier public urban research institution, this direct admissions agreement with Jeffco Public Schools reinforces CU Denver’s commitment to not just lead with words, but through action,” said CU Denver Chancellor Kenneth T. Christensen, PhD. “CU Denver has an obligation to deliver the highest possible return to our students, their families, and the communities we serve.”
That return can be seen in many ways. As an example, for the fifth consecutive year, CU Denver ranks No. 1 in Colorado for social mobility, and the university propels students into higher lifetime earnings. In addition, several of its undergraduate programs are in the top five in the state and Rocky Mountain Region.
These things are a big deal for students like Cavraro, who was drawn to CU Denver, in part, because of how affordable it is compared to the out-of-state schools he considered. “I don’t know how many colleges can say they offer an amazing education and are affordable,” he said. And his experience so far has exceeded his expectations. Each week, one of his classes takes field trips to local buildings with unique architecture, like the Denver Public Library and Union Station. He also got connected to a licensed architect who now serves as his mentor and offers tips for building his portfolio, programs to use, and more.
JP Vu, another Jeffco Public Schools graduate and current CU Denver student, has also noticed the abundant opportunities CU Denver offers. He picked CU Denver so he could be close to his family, which includes his three younger siblings, and because of the university’s diverse community and affordability. He’s working toward a degree in business administration to help prepare him for a career in international business. He’s made friends through the Vietnamese Student Association and has a mentor through the Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) Office. “There are a lot of connections here,” Vu said.
Both students agree that the new partnership between CU Denver and Jeffco Public Schools will greatly benefit high school students who are deciding what to do next, which can often feel overwhelming. “Having this agreement provides a safety net and helps students have a path to college and a support system when they get there,” Vu said.
Alex DeWind, University of Colorado Denver Communications.
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