Community and technical colleges are known as "Democracy's colleges." They are grounded in the core American value that all people deserve the opportunity to move up in the world, regardless of where they are from, what obstacles they face and where they need to start. At a time when college education is the ticket to a middle-class lifestyle, America's open-door colleges serve as engines of social mobility. The evidence is clear in Washington state, where about 388,000 students enroll each year to build brighter futures through education. This document provides a brief overview of the community and technical colleges in Washington. The community and technical colleges in Washington sustain America's promise of hope, opportunity and upward mobility for everyone who is willing to work hard and learn new skills. Every student's success strengthens the collective American dream and brightens the road ahead.