The Correctional Peace Officers Foundation is proud to recognize Tristan Persons as a 2026 CPOF scholarship recipient.
Tristan, the son of Richard Persons of Four Mile Correctional Facility with the Colorado Department of Corrections, will attend the University of Northern Colorado this fall as he begins the next chapter of his academic and athletic journey.
A graduate of Pueblo West High School, Tristan has distinguished himself through exceptional achievement in the classroom, on the athletic field, and in his community. His commitment to excellence reflects the discipline, perseverance, and leadership that have become the foundation of his success.
Throughout high school, Tristan maintained an impressive 4.26 cumulative GPA, earning a place on the Principal’s Honor Roll while challenging himself with advanced coursework that allowed him to earn college credit before graduation. His dedication to academics earned the respect of both teachers and classmates, who elected him to serve as a Senior Officer for the Pueblo West High School DECA Chapter. He also qualified for the 2026 DECA State Conference, further demonstrating his commitment to leadership and professional development.
While academics have always remained a priority, athletics have played an equally important role in shaping Tristan’s character.
As a four-year, two-sport varsity athlete, Tristan competed in both Cross Country and Track & Field, where he learned valuable lessons in discipline, resilience, and perseverance. Serving as team captain, he discovered the importance of leading by example while helping teammates overcome challenges both on and off the course.
His dedication produced remarkable results. Tristan became a league champion, a school record holder, and a state qualifier in both Cross Country and Track & Field. Through every victory and setback, he learned that consistent effort, determination, and persistence are the keys to long-term success.
Beyond academics and athletics, Tristan has remained committed to serving others. He has volunteered through his church and participated in community projects including the local food bank and God’s Work Our Hands, helping improve his community through service projects such as painting and neighborhood cleanup efforts.
He has also shared his experiences with younger students through Junior Achievement, speaking at local junior high schools about the importance of education, involvement in athletics, and developing strong communication and leadership skills.
As he looks toward the future, Tristan plans to continue competing as a collegiate student-athlete while pursuing his long-term academic goal of earning a master’s degree. Throughout high school, he has also maintained employment and practiced responsible financial planning to help lessen the cost of higher education for his family.
This scholarship will help support Tristan as he continues building upon the strong foundation he has created through academic excellence, athletic achievement, leadership, and community service.
We are honored to invest in Tristan’s future and look forward to seeing the positive impact he will continue to make both on campus and throughout his community.
Photo caption: CPOF scholarship recipient Tristan Persons is pictured after receiving his 2026 scholarship award.