Greeley-based Aims Community College has opened satellite campuses in Fort Lupton and Loveland. And now in recent years, the college has set its sights on southwest Weld County for a high-visibility branch along Interstate 25.
The plan picked up steam about two years ago when Aims bought a 30-acre parcel from McWhinney Enterprises at the intersection of I-25 and Colo. 56 in Berthoud. Since then, the college picked up the option on 10 additional acres.
In the next several years, Aims will move forward with plans to develop a campus on the prime interstate-front property. Ultimately, the 40-acre campus would emphasize environmental technology programs, and possibly feature park and athletic facilities in partnership with Berthoud.
Question 4A on the November ballot will ask Berthoud and Weld voters if the town should be annexed into the Aims Community College taxing district. If approved, the annual cost of being in the college's district would be $50 a year for the owner of a $100,000 home or $100 a year for the owner of a $200,000 home.
Current Aims taxing district residents also must approve the proposal, but they would not see any change to their tax rates.
If Berthoud voters decide to enter the district, they will receive the same Aims discounts that are available to other in-district residents. For example, Berthoud residents would pay $60 per-credit tuition, which is about $30 less than the out-of-district rate. Residents in Berthoud, population 5,200, would also be able to vote on representation on the Aims board of trustees.
If the annexation is approved, the money generated from Berthoud property owners would be put aside for use on the new campus. Essentially, it would speed up the development of the branch, which will be built regardless.
An Aims-conducted survey of 350 Berthoud property owners last year showed general support of the annexation.
In Berthoud, the town board passed a resolution last summer in support of entering the taxing district.
Berthoud Mayor Tom Patterson said the college would supply an economic engine for the town.
But the proposal isn't without opponents.
At the Berthoud campus, Aims plans a mix of alternative energy and environmental sustainability programs. The buildings will be designed and constructed to be energy efficient. Just one building, supporting about 750 students, is planned to get the campus launched.