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PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Colorado Springs, CO – September 9, 2025  Peak Education Launches “Direct Admission Initiative” to Remove College Barriers in Colorado Springs 

Innovative partnership with EAB’s Appily Match guarantees acceptance for high school seniors, expanding local access to higher education. 

Colorado Springs, CO — Peak Education is proud to announce the launch of the Peak Ed Direct Admission Initiative. Peak Education is a non-profit dedicated to expanding educational access and opportunity in the Pikes Peak region through innovative college and career support. [https://www.peakedu.org/directadmissions] 

A Bold Step Towards Accessible College Admissions 

Through a new partnership with EAB’s Appily Match technology, this initiative will create a first-of-its-kind, regionally focused ecosystem of connecting students, families, counselors, and local colleges in the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak region. By proactively admitting high school seniors to participating in-region colleges and universities based on their academic eligibility, without requiring a traditional application at all, students and families gain a clearer, more supportive path toward higher education. 

"Yes-Only" Admissions Simplify College Pathways 

The initiative's unique "yes-only" approach ensures students receive exclusively acceptance offers, eliminating the rejection experience that often discourages college-bound students. Each direct admission offer provides complete transparency, including detailed program information, merit-based scholarship awards, and clear next steps, empowering students to make informed decisions about their educational future without uncertainty about institutional fit or affordability.  

Empowering First-Generation, Rural, and Under-Resourced Students 

This initiative is designed to remove barriers that too often stand in the way of college access, particularly for under-resourced, first-generation, and rural students.  

Students can begin the Match process immediately, at the start of their academic year, with direct admission offers delivered on October 20th from regional institutions. There are no fees or additional application fees for students to participate and all they need is a high school transcript, no additional documentation required like letters of recommendations or essays. 

Flagship College Partners: Local Institutions Joining the Initiative 

The flagship college partners in this initiative are University of Colorado–Colorado Springs, Colorado State University–Pueblo, Pikes Peak State College, Western Colorado University, and Colorado Mesa University; ensuring that students see meaningful opportunities in state. Additional Colorado higher ed institutions are encouraged to join and contribute to this shared effort to expand pathways to higher education for students in the Colorado Springs and Pikes Peak communities. 

Leadership Quotes 

"This Direct Admission Initiative represents a transformative moment for our students in the Pikes Peak region. By removing the traditional application barriers and guaranteeing every participating student receives only acceptances, we're fundamentally changing how our students see their futures,” explains Carlos Jiménez, CEO of Peak Education. “Knowing their admitted to quality institutions in the middle of senior year, creates the confidence they need to pursue their dreams." 

“By integrating EAB’s Appily Match technology into the Peak Ed Direct Admission Initiative, we’re giving all students across the region a clearer path to enrollment and scholarships at in-region colleges and universities they may never have received otherwise,” said Hope Krutz, president of EAB’s Enroll360 division. “This effort demonstrates what can happen when visionary regional leadership, dedicated institutions, and mission-driven partners work together to make college more accessible and affordable.” 

This initiative supports Peak Education’s mission to remove systemic barriers to post-secondary education and create pathways for all students in our community to achieve their academic and career goals, particularly those from underrepresented and first-generation college backgrounds. 

To learn more about Peak Education and the Direct Admissions initiative, visit https://www.peakedu.org/directadmissions 

Press Inquiries & Additional Information Contact: Tabitha Hart | Marketing and Communications Manager  

tabitha@peakedu.org | 719-460-2365