Colorado Department of Higher Education

2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence - America's semiquincentennial - and the 150th anniversary of Colorado becoming a state - our state's sesquicentennial. As the centennial state, Colorado is celebrating a unique twin anniversary, our Sesquisemiquincentennial!
Join a community around the state to celebrate our shared history with events, educational opportunities, celebrations and more. Find ways to get involved at Am250CO150.org.

Are you starting college in the fall? Make sure you've signed up for the College Opportunity Fund (COF)! COF provides a tuition stipend to help in-state undergraduate students cover the cost of college. You only need to apply once to receive this state benefit.
Find more information and a list of participating colleges: https://cof.college-assist.org/.

College Opportunity Fund Stipend means the amount of money per credit hour paid by the state of Colorado on behalf of an eligible undergraduate student attending a participating college in the state of Colorado. The Colorado Legislature sets the specific per credit hour amount for the stipend annually. The current amount is...

Thanks to generous funding from the ECMC Foundation, the Colorado Coalition for Higher Education in Prison conducted a research study on best practices by interviewing 33 stakeholders in the Higher Education in Prison (HEP) field including leaders of prison education programs, statewide coalitions, and national advocacy organizations. Thanks to the University of Colorado Denver Prison Education Program for their work on this study.

Read the report at https://clas.ucdenver.edu/communication/sites/default/files/attached-files/c-chep_report_2026.pdf.

clas.ucdenver.edu

The 2026 Open Education Conference will be held virtually October 27-29. Are you planning to attend? The Colorado OER Council and CDHE will support registration costs for Colorado staff and students!

Get more information about the Open Education Conference: https://ow.ly/CQAb50Zecfe.
Apply for registration support: https://ow.ly/Yg3K50Zecfc.

2026 Open Education Conference - Colorado Scholarship The OER Council and Colorado Department of Higher Education will be sponsoring scholarships to attend the virtual 2026 OpenEd Conference October 27-29. Learn more about the 2026 Open Education Conference at: https://conference.oeglobal.org/2026 ELIGIBILITY Scholarships are open to faculty, librarian...

Colorado Department of Higher Education offices will be closed on Friday, June 19, in honor of Juneteenth National Independence Day.
This state and federal holiday commemorates the day that enslaved people in Galveston, Texas learned of their independence on June 19, 1865. Join an event in your community this weekend to celebrate Juneteenth.

Yesterday, Colorado Department of Higher Education executive director JB Holston visited Fort Lewis College!

JB met with President Dr. Heather Shotton and campus education and workforce leaders. He toured the campus, including visits to the Center for Innovation and the Grub Hub, a student-centered organization dedicated to breaking the stigma around basic needs insecurity. JB was impressed with the Constellations of Place exhibit on display at the Center for Southwest Studies, which explores the landscapes and layered histories of Southwest Colorado.

Thank you for welcoming us to your campus and introducing us to your programs! Learn more about Fort Lewis College at https://www.fortlewis.edu/.

Are you passionate about open educational resources?
The Colorado OER Council is seeking members from Colorado institutions of higher education to serve as advisory board members for the Colorado Higher Education OER Hub. The Colorado Higher Education OER Hub provides a dedicated online space to promote the sharing and use of OER created by Colorado higher education institutions.

Find more information and submit an interest form: https://ow.ly/sGzN50ZcPG0.

2026 Colorado Higher Education OER Hub Advisory Board Interest Form The Colorado OER Council is seeking members from Colorado institutions of higher education to serve as advisory board members for the Colorado Higher Education OER Hub. The goal of the Colorado Higher Education OER Hub is to provide a dedicated online space to promote the sharing and use of OER crea...

Accepted to college, but unsure where to start? It’s not too late!

Join the A*M Coalition on July 14th and hear about the college experience from current students and staff members from Adams State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Front Range Community College, and Metropolitan State University of Denver. Get your questions answered.

Students can register here: https://tinyurl.com/A*M-NotTooLate

*MCoalition

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is excited to welcome Lauren Jorgenson as the Department's Strategy Officer!
Lauren joins us from the Governor's Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives, and brings a wealth of experience in the public sector working with budget and policy during times of change. Her educational background is in agronomy, and she is passionate about soil health, plant genetics and land conservation.
CDHE looks forward to Lauren's expertise. Please join us in sending her a warm welcome!

The Colorado Private and Occupational Schools Board will meet next Tuesday, June 23, at 9:30 a.m.
The Board meets monthly to approve new schools, programs and courses, and review Division investigations and issue disciplinary actions when necessary. Public attendance is welcome.
Find more information at https://cdhe.colorado.gov/division-of-private-occupational-schools.

Division of Private Occupational Schools | Colorado Department of Higher Education Home The Division administers the Private Occupational School Act on behalf of the Governor appointed Private Occupational School Board, which meets monthly to approve new schools, school renewals, school programs and courses per the Act and Rules. To protect students against fraudulent and substandard e...