The Community College of Denver (CCD) announced the start of construction on its new Virtual Reality (VR) Immersive Learning Lab, an innovative project that will deliver one of the most advanced immersive learning environments in higher education and the first of its kind in Colorado.
The project launched on April 30 with an on-site demolition ceremony led by Colorado Community College System Chancellor, Dr. Marielena DeSanctis, alongside Interim CCD President, Peter Lindstrom, and Dreamscape SVP, Chris Huff, and a group of faculty, staff, and students.
Developed in partnership with Dreamscape Learn, the lab will allow students to step into cinematic worlds and take on the roles of scientists, explorers, and investigators. There, they engage with complex ideas, conduct simulated experiments, and apply knowledge in context, with a clear purpose for the work. CCD plans to use the lab in biology and art history courses, with opportunities to expand into additional disciplines over time.
“Today marks a bold step forward in how we prepare students for the future,” said Chancellor DeSanctis. “By bringing immersive virtual reality into the learning environment, CCD is expanding access to innovative, high-impact educational experiences that will shape the next generation of Colorado’s workforce.”
For CCD, the new lab reflects a broader commitment to accessible, affordable, and career-aligned education. The Immersive learning environment will support students by:
- Enhancing learning outcomes through experiential, hands-on virtual environments
- Increasing student engagement and retention through interactive storytelling
- Expanding access to advanced learning tools typically found only at major research institutions
- Preparing students for high-demand, higher-wage careers in science, healthcare, and technology
“When students step into Dreamscape Learn’s immersive, story-based curriculum programs with a clear role to play, their whole experience of school is transformed,” said Josh Reibel, CEO of Dreamscape Learn. “This approach, which nearly 100,000 students have now experienced, has been studied and proven to improve outcomes significantly for students from wide-ranging backgrounds; we’re excited to partner with CCD to give faculty new ways to drive student success.”
The first student cohorts are expected to begin utilizing the lab in Fall 2026, positioning CCD at the forefront of immersive education innovation in Colorado and beyond.
“This is about more than technology; it’s about transforming opportunity,” said Interim President Lindstrom. “We are creating pathways for our students to access world-class learning experiences that lead to meaningful careers and long-term success.”
About Community College of Denver
Community College of Denver (CCD) is a fully accredited leading Colorado community college. CCD was voted Colorado's Best Community College in the Denver Metro area by The Colorado Sun readers. CCD is recognized for graduating students with less debt and its guaranteed transfer agreements with all Colorado state colleges and universities. The college also leads with innovative on-campus and online certificate and degree programs. CCD provides a no-tuition high school diploma program to help students start on their path of choice. To learn more about CCD and its programs, resources, industry partnerships and foundation giving, visit ccd.edu.
About Dreamscape Learn
Dreamscape Learn is a collaborative venture between Dreamscape Immersive and Arizona State University, merging the most advanced pedagogy with the entertainment industry's best emotional storytelling. Dreamscape Learn redefines how we teach and learn in the 21st century, while aiming to eliminate student learning gaps.
