Snowstorm doesn’t stop Rocky Mountain Line School outdoor graduation

A snowstorm is the ideal kind of weather for dozens of students who graduated from line school Friday afternoon.

“As you can see today, the weather this is typical of spring in Colorado. They would be working in this environment,” said Doug Dustin, field instructor.

Twenty-four students graduated from the Rocky Mountain Line School operated by Trinidad State Junior College.

“I spent 10 years in the military, and coming out of the Army I was really searching for something that had that same brotherhood, being apart of something and contributing back to society,” said Brandon Grinde, graduate.

Students have spent the past 15 weeks in school training and 100 hours climbing utility poles. Grinde says it’s a rigorous but humbling career that’s prepared him mentally and physically.

“I was 20 pounds heavier 15 weeks ago then I am now. They really work you and want to make sure you’re not only mentally but physically capable of doing this job. I think all of us grew in both aspects of that,” said Grinde.

They’re trained to climb 30-foot tall utility pools and perform hands-on electrical needs.

“We walk in basically knowing nothing, and then from there till now, the knowledge we’ve obtained is still small from what we’re going to learn when we get into this trade,” said Nik Mathews, graduate.

The graduates came to Colorado Springs from all across the U.S. to enroll in the school.

“There’s a lot of these guys that started college and decided they wanted to do something else. It’s a great career,” said Dustin.

Many of the graduates have already been offered jobs with utility groups.

“I start work Monday morning with Colorado power line. It’s right out of the gate. I’m fortunate to find a job,” said Grinde.

Rocky Mountain Line School is now taking applications for their fall semester starting in August.