This scholarship is awarded to an accredited undergraduate student (Sophomore level or above) or a graduate student whose parent or legal guardian is a current member of CASFM. Students must be enrolled in an eligible program of study, including but not limited to: Engineering; Earth Sciences; Landscape Architecture; City/Urban Planning; Environmental Sciences; Computer Science; Architecture; Mathematics; Emergency Management; or Education.
Family Scholarship
CASFM has $5,000 available to award for the 2025–26 academic year. Finished application packages must be received by November 1, 2025.
Family Scholarship Application
The purpose of this scholarship is to assist members of CASFM and their dependents in paying for the cost of higher education and to further promote interest in the goals of the organization. Eligible applicants for this scholarship must meet the following criteria:
- At least one of the applicant’s parents or legal guardians must be a current member of CASFM.
- Applicants must be enrolled as full-time students in an accredited undergraduate (sophomore level or above) or graduate program at a college or university and be registered to take at least 9 credit hours of coursework per semester. Eligible programs of study include, but are not limited to: Engineering; Earth Sciences; Landscape Architecture; City/Urban Planning; Environmental Sciences; Computer Science; Architecture; Mathematics; Emergency Management; or Education. Fulfillment of the intent of this requirement will be at the sole discretion of the Scholarship Committee.
- The scholarship recipient will also have the option to attend the 2026 CASFM Conference. Registration and three nights’ lodging at the conference are included.
Selection Process: Three applicants will be shortlisted based on this application and a short essay (up to 500 words; attach to application). The essay should describe the applicant’s personal and career goals, the influence your family and friends have had on your education, how you will utilize your education to improve living conditions in Colorado, and what receiving this scholarship will mean to you. Shortlisted applicants will be notified by November 12, 2025. A panel will hold a short (approximately 20-minute) interview with shortlisted applicants in mid-November. The successful candidate will be notified by December 1, 2025. Funds will be disbursed by check directly to the student.
Additional Scholarships
Recipients
The 2024-2025 CASFM Family Scholarship recipient is Ella Evans. She is a Second-Year Student in the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder. Ella’s career ambition is to be a leading force in environmental economics, using innovative strategies to address environmental issues while supporting economic development in Colorado. With a foundation in environmental economics, she aims to work with local governments, nonprofits, and businesses in Colorado to create policies that reduce emissions, conserve resources, and support sustainable land use.
The 2023-2024 CASFM Family Scholarship recipient is Aidan Kroeger. Aidan graduated from Green Mountain High School in 2020. He currently is in his senior year at Montana State University in Bozeman Montana, where he is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology with minors in Aerospace Engineering and Building Energy Systems. He hopes to utilize his degree in the advancement of manufacturing process and technological development within the aerospace industry.
The 2022-2023 Family Scholarship award recipient is Jessica Robinson. Jessica is the daughter of CASFM member and former CRS Committee Chair, Marsha Hilmes-Robinson. Jessica graduated in 2021 from Rocky Mountain High School in Fort Collins and is currently a sophomore at the University of Northern Colorado. She is majoring in speech pathology with a minor in special education. She hopes to give the community a voice by working with children to help them overcome their speech or language delays so they can grow to become confident adults who are able to communicate and solve issues arising in future generations. During the summer, Jessica works as a tennis instructor. In addition to being a full-time student, Jessica participates in several academic clubs, plays club tennis and volunteers weekly at the food bank on campus.
The 2021-2022 Family Scholarship recipient is Mira Houck. Mira graduated from Jefferson Academy in 2019. She currently attends Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, where she plays soccer and is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in both sociology and elementary education. Her hope is to become a 3rd or 4th grade teacher with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
The 2020-2021 CASFM Family Scholarship award recipient is Tim Hunt, son of CASFM member and former officer John Hunt. Tim graduated in 2017 from Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins, and is currently a sophomore studying mechanical engineering at Colorado State University. Tim is earning funds for his education as an automotive technician, and has a full schedule of work and school. This award will significantly offset the cost of tuition, allowing him more time to focus on studies. Tim has an interest in the machines used to produce sustainable energy, and he plans to use his career to help Colorado move toward a fully sustainable power grid.
The 2019–2020 Family Scholarship recipient is Gavin O’Connell. Gavin is the son of Pat O’Connell at Jefferson County. He attends the University of Colorado Boulder and plans to graduate in Spring 2021 with a degree in Aerospace Engineering. His position as a cadet in the CU Air Force ROTC Detachment 105, and as an Airman in the Reserves have strengthened his desire to become a leader, innovator, and fulfill a core value of service before self.
The 2018-2019 CASFM Family Scholarship award recipient is Daniel Hunt. Daniel is the son of CASFM member and past officer John Hunt, and graduated in 2015 from Liberty Common High School in Fort Collins. He is currently a senior studying mechanical engineering at Colorado State University. Learning about the tools and processes necessary for mass production through firsthand co-op experience sparked a great appreciation for advances in manufacturing technology, and he hopes to one day be a contributor to the next technology breakthrough allowing better products to be made available at a lower costs.
The 2017-2018 CASFM Family Scholarship award recipient is Casey Bangs, son of Kimberly Watkins at the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department. Casey is attending the University of Colorado at Boulder and is on track to earn a Bachelor of Science in environmental engineering. Casey is a full time student and working part time, so this scholarship has helped him with school expenses. He realized the importance of protecting public health and safety from hearing about the Waldo Canyon fire, Black Forest fire, and Gold King Mine spill. These events have inspired him to pursue a career in environmental engineering and clean water in particular.
Emma Gardner is the daughter of CASFM Member Stuart Gardner and is attending Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction where she will be among the first Civil Engineering graduates in CMU’s cooperative program with CU in 2020. She has been exposed to engineering discussions and field trips her entire life, and is excited about moving into the field and using her education to make Colorado a better place to live.
Brittany Bender is the daughter of CASFM Member Janet Bender. The incredible engineering feats she’s seen helped form a desire to be part of something bigger than herself, and to pursue a passion that she would not only love, but would challenge her every day. She is studying at the Colorado School of Mines and plans to graduate in 2018. After graduation, she plans to stay in Colorado and help improve the living conditions and communities of the state she knows and loves.
The Family Scholarship was not awarded this academic year.
Colter Ritsch is the son of CASFM member Markus Ritsch and graduated from Fort Collins High School in 2013. He is currently a sophomore studying civil engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is focusing on water resources and floodplain management and hopes to use his engineering degree to help reduce the impacts of floods on Colorado communities.
The first recipient of the CASFM Family Scholarship is Mikayla Bortolini, daughter of CASFM member Monica Bortolini. She graduated from Columbine High School in 2012 and is currently a sophomore at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley. She is a pre-nursing student and is applying for the School of Nursing in January of 2014. She plans to graduate in 2016 and is very excited to start her career as a nurse.