<p>You are very fortunate to have one of the best engineering schools in the country available to you with free tuition (if you can gain admission). Engineering students may have less time for admiring the view and exploring the outdoors than you imagine.</p>
<p>One school to look at would be Colorado School of Mines - it’s a good engineering school in the area of the country that interests you and you might get a merit scholarship there. </p>
<p>Do you expect to qualify for need-based aid, or are you strictly looking for merit scholarships?</p>