Douglas County inducts Cole Frederking, a 16-year-old Highlands Ranch student who kept a 4.0 GPA through cancer treatment, into its Hall of Fame

Douglas County commissioners posthumously inducted Cole Frederking of Highlands Ranch into the Douglas County Hall of Fame on Sept. 22. The Mountain Vista High School student kept a 4.0 GPA through treatment for a rare kidney cancer and donated his tumors to research; his family’s foundation now funds scholarships.

jessicahollandbiz

· Published

October 10, 2026

· Updated

October 10, 2026

Douglas County’s Hall of Fame recognizes residents who show courage, resilience, honor, kindness and generosity. On Sept. 22, the county’s commissioners added a 16-year-old from Highlands Ranch.

The Board of County Commissioners posthumously inducted Cole Frederking into the Douglas County Hall of Fame during its business meeting that day, the county reported on Sept. 30. The induction came during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

A student, an athlete and a theater kid

Cole attended Mountain Vista High School. According to the county, he kept a 4.0 GPA every semester and earned membership in the National Honor Society, and he played baseball, soccer, track, flag football and golf.

He was diagnosed with Wilms’ tumor, which the county describes as a rare and aggressive kidney cancer, and went through intensive chemotherapy and radiation. After his diagnosis he became involved with StageFlight Theatre, where he acted and worked in technical production and film. He died at 16.

What he gave

Before he died, the county says, Cole planned ways to give back, including support for the StageFlight Theatre program at Mountain Vista. He also donated his tumors to science in the hope of advancing research.

His family now leads the Cole Frederking Legacy Foundation, which provides scholarships to local students pursuing their dreams.

What to know

Who: Cole Frederking, 16, of Highlands Ranch, a Mountain Vista High School student
The honor: Posthumous induction into the Douglas County Hall of Fame by the Board of County Commissioners on Sept. 22, 2026
His legacy: The Cole Frederking Legacy Foundation, led by his family, which the county says provides scholarships to local students. The county’s article links to the foundation at colefrederking.org.
Read more: Douglas County’s article, which includes words from his mother and a video of the induction

More like this: Find the Good, Highlands Ranch, A Parker counselor named Colorado’s Middle School Counselor of the Year, A $20,000 gift for Heroes Hall and Douglas County veterans, The Denver Foundation’s Helen McLoraine scholarship

Source: Douglas County. Verified October 10, 2026.

Details verified with the source on October 10, 2026. See something wrong? Send a correction.

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