Denver-based ZOMA Foundation donates $10 million to CMU for on-campus housing expansion
Surrounded by economic development partners, elected officials and community leaders, Colorado Mesa University President John Marshall announced today the largest philanthropic investment in the university’s history. The announcement came during a formal opening ceremony for the latest student housing development, Centennial Apartments, which opened to students this fall.
In addition to formally opening Centennial Apartments, leaders also celebrated the official groundbreaking of an additional residence hall on campus, Formation Commons, made possible in part by a unique philanthropic investment of $10 million by the Colorado-based ZOMA Foundation.
“Over the past two decades, CMU has grown exponentially and a crucial part of our growth has been our ability to provide high-quality housing options for our students,” said CMU President John Marshall. “It’s impossible to overstate the impact of this incredible investment by ZOMA Foundation in helping CMU not only make Formation Commons possible — but to truly catalyze the continued development of campus in a way that supports our entire community.”
"This gift celebrates the innovative and unique ways CMU is meeting students’ needs. Its willingness to think differently is driving growth and expanding opportunity in the region and across the state. We are proud to recognize that success and help the university build on its momentum so that even more students can benefit from its distinctive approach,” said Ben Walton, principal of ZOMA LAB.
CMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Lori Buck thanked guests who attended the ceremony as part of the Grand Junction Economic Development Partners meeting to celebrate the new student residence. Supporters included the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Junction Economic Partnership, Mesa County, the City of Grand Junction and other area elected and business leaders.
“We say all the time that Grand Junction is a community that runs on partnerships,” said CMU Board of Trustees Vice Chair Lori Buck. “With this historic investment, ZOMA Foundation has become a major, cherished partner in this community when it comes to workforce development, affordable housing and economic expansion.”
In addition to opening Centennial Apartments and beginning construction on Formation Commons, Colorado Mesa University offers existing traditional residence halls, suite-style living and apartment-style housing across campus. More than 3,200 students currently live on campus across more than 17 residence halls. Centennial Apartments added 310 beds to the campus total and offers apartment-style living with kitchens, shared community spaces and a year-round lease that allows students to remain on campus through the summer.
Beyond providing convenient and community-oriented housing for students, CMU residence life units are 97% occupied in 2026, illustrating strong demand and the need for continued investment in future construction.
Alongside the ZOMA Foundation investment in campus housing, CMU has recently received large gifts from Canvas Credit Union, Timberline Bank, Ford Motor Co., The Denver Foundation and confidential seven-figure estate gifts that will support students for decades.