On January 29, 2011, the Colorado College Education Department partnered with the Professional Engineers of Colorado (Pikes Peak Chapter), Colorado Springs Utilities, and Associated Design Professionals to host the 2011 Bridge Building Contest. 158 high school students participated, and the winning bridge from Max Vanatta of Cheyenne Mountain High School held 3,437 times its own weight before breaking.

Vanatta’s bridge weighed 19.80 grams (7/10 of an ounce) and held 149.88 pounds. He was awarded the first place prize of a $1,000 scholarship from the Professional Engineers of Colorado, Pikes Peak Chapter. Benjamin Motaei from Cheyenne Mountain High School won the second place scholarship of $750, and Tim Jancik of Cheyenne Mountain High School placed in third.

Participants included 95 students from Coronado High School, 55 students from Cheyenne Mountain High School, and 8 students from Rampart High School.