The Southwest Community Design Academy (SWCDA) is a nine week interactive program brought to the community by the La Plata County Planning Department. The purpose of the program is to educate, motivate, and empower potential leaders and policy makers in the community through lectures by experts in the field and through the hands-on evaluation of a case study of a local development. Classes are held locally and are made up of local residents. The anticipated, and in most cases achieved outcome of the Southwest Community Design Academy is more diversely educated community leaders, policy makers, and citizens who can critically think about community design issues, articulately express their ideas, and make significant contributions to the community.

The Southwest Community Design Academy is an innovative new approach to service learning in La Plata County. It is unique in that it focuses on building partnerships and collaborating with local educational institutes while placing a large focus on public involvement. Through this program educating and empowering the community is the priority. The SWCDA is determined to reach new audiences, to bridge the gap of the voices not often heard with those which are, and to build the capacity of individuals who wish serve as community leaders.