Press Releases
2025
- December 15, 2025: Governor Polis Announces JB Holston as the Next Executive Director of Colorado Department of Higher Education
- December 8, 2025: Colorado Commission on Higher Education Approves $1 Million in 28 open Education Grants to Reduce Textbook Costs
- December 2, 2025: Governor Polis Applauds Dr. Angie Paccione, Service to State of Colorado and Leadership in Higher Education
- November 21, 2025: Governor Polis and Colorado Department of Higher Education Announce $5.6 Million in Grants to Expand Work Based Learning Educational Opportunities for Rural Colorado College Students
- November 6, 2025: CDHE’s Career Connected Campus Designation recognizes institutions that prepare students for the workforce
- October 9, 2025: Colorado GEAR UP awarded $35 million federal grant to continue transforming college access for low-income students
- September 30, 2025: Open Educational Resources Council launches OER roadshow tour
- September 25, 2025: Governor Polis and Colorado Department of Higher Education launch Colorado Free Application Days from Oct. 7-9
- September 12, 2025: Colorado Department of Higher Education launches student-friendly website to simplify college credit transfers
- August 14, 2025: The seventh edition of the Return on Investment Report provides insight into the value of attending a college, university or technical school
- July 24, 2025: Governor Polis Announces Zero Textbook Cost Challenge and 2025 Open Educational Resources (OER) Award Recipients
- May 21, 2025: Celebration of Educational Excellence honors foster youth graduates
- May 8, 2025: CDHE and CDE recognize the state’s top teacher candidates in seventh annual Future Educator Honor Roll event
- April 29, 2025: Colorado celebrates Decision Day on May 1
- February 11, 2025: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative launches COSI Achieve
- January 17, 2025: 2024 Free Application Days Saved Colorado Students $2.8 Million
2024
- December 20, 2024: Colorado Commission on Higher Education seeks feedback on new funding formula
- December 5, 2024: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves $1 million in 21 Open Education Grant Projects
- November 7, 2024: Colorado Department of Higher Education recognizes colleges and universities with First Generation-Serving Institution Designation
- November 4, 2024: New Career Connected Campus Designation recognizes institutions that prepare students for the workforce
- October 9, 2024: Governor Polis and Department of Higher Education Announce Waived College Application Fees Oct. 15-17
- May 8, 2024: Colorado Launches General Education Completion Credential
- May 7, 2024: Colorado Department of Higher Education recognizes the state’s top teacher candidates in sixth annual Future Educator Honor Roll event
- April 24, 2024: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative awards $13.8 million to support Colorado students in pursuing their postsecondary education
- March 4, 2024: Colorado Commission on Higher Education awards $1 million to 26 open education grant projects
- February 15, 2024:Colorado Department of Higher Education Updates Notice of Data Incident
- February 5, 2024: Colorado Leads All 50 states in Educational Attainment
- January 22, 2024: Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Higher Education Celebrate First Graduates of CORE Initiative
- January 18, 2024: 2023 Free Application Days Saved Colorado Students $2.8 Million
2023
- December 5, 2023: Earning a postsecondary credential of value remains a critical investment for Coloradans and for meeting workforce demands
- October 24, 2023: Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein is the Department’s new chief educational equity officer
- October 11, 2023: Governor Polis and the Colorado Department of Higher Education Announce Waived Higher Education Application Fees Oct.17-19
- October 5, 2023: Colorado Open Educational Resources Grant Program seeks proposals
- September 7, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education approves technical assistance grant projects totaling more than $400,000 to build out stackable credentials
- August 4, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education Provides Notice of Data Incident
- June 27, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education releases report to improve outcomes for students with disabilities
- June 8, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education announces seven additional Hunger Free and Healthy Minds designations
- May 11, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education recognizes the state's top teacher candidates
- May 1, 2023: Colorado college-going rates continue to decline but at a slower rate
- April 27, 2023: Colorado Department of Higher Education celebrates Decision Day on May 1
- April 12, 2023: The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves nearly $7.5 million in funding for Matching Student Scholarship programs across the state
- March 6, 2023: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves 25 open education grant projects totaling nearly $1 million
- February 2, 2023: Colorado Commission on Higher Education releases statewide plan that focuses on serving more learners with programs of value
2022
- December 22, 2022: Applications increase by 2% during fifth Colorado Free Application Days
- December 14, 2022: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative increases investment in student aid completion programming to more than $2 million
- November 18, 2022: Going to college or technical school remains a sound investment for Coloradans
- October 26, 2022: The Colorado Open Educational Resources grant program seeks proposals
- October 12, 2022: Governor Polis Announces Fifth Annual Free Application Days
- September 30, 2022: Diversifying the Educator Workforce Workgroup releases report that offers recruitment, preparation, and retention strategies for diverse educators in Colorado
- September 29, 2022: Colorado Department of Higher Education announces appointees for Disability Services in Higher Education Advisory Committee
- September 27, 2022: The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative announces up to $7.5 million in funding for its Matching Student Scholarship Program
- September 13, 2022: Chief educational equity officer launches tour of Hispanic-serving Institutions as part of National Hispanic American Heritage Month
- September 8, 2022: Colorado Department of Higher Education Announces scholarship opportunity for formerly committed youth
- August 18, 2022: Governor Polis Encourages Parents and Guardians to Take the First Step and Invest in Their Kid's Higher Education Savings
- June 22, 2022: Colorado Department of Higher Education Distributes Behavioral Health Tuition Grants to Help Save Students Money
- May 24, 2022: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative awards more than $4.9 million in matching scholarships
- May 13, 2022: Colorado legislature answers call to address workforce shortages and affordability
- May 5, 2022: Colorado Department of Higher Education honors Colorado's future educators
- May 3, 2022: Colorado college-going rates impacted by the pandemic decreased by nearly 6
- April 26, 2022: Colorado Department of Higher Education announces April 29 as Decision Day
- March 17, 2022: One Million Degrees Names Executive Director of Colorado Office
- March 10, 2022: Polis Administration Continues to Save Colorado Students Money: Colorado Commission on Higher Education Approves 20 Open Education Grant Projects
- March 7, 2022: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves five pilot program participants for the Path4Ward initiative
- January 10, 2022: Student Success and Workforce Revitalization Task Force Releases Recommendations to Make Colorado More Affordable & Help Students
2021
- Dec. 15, 2021: Colorado Department of Higher Education opens application for Educator Loan Forgiveness Program
- Dec. 14, 2021: Applications increase by 10% during Colorado Free Application Day
- Dec. 6, 2021: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 16 new local scholarship proposals
- Oct. 8, 2021: Governor Polis Announces Colorado Free Application Days
- Sept. 27, 2021: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative awards $15 million for support services aimed at workers displaced by COVID-19
- Sept. 21, 2021: State launches work and education opportunities for Coloradans
- Aug. 10, 2021: Department selects Dr. Roberto Montoya as first-ever chief educational equity officer
- Aug. 5, 2021: Investing in a college degree can provide Coloradans with resiliency, security, and wealth in times of prosperity and recession
- Aug. 3, 2021: CDHE launches Advisors LEAD – an equity-focused professional development certification
- July 19, 2021: Four Colorado campuses earn Hunger Free and Healthy Minds designations as they work to erase hunger and address the mental health needs of college students
- May 26, 2021: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 40 new local scholarship proposals
- May 4, 2021: Statewide educational attainment continues to grow
- April 27, 2021: Department statement on Colorado public colleges and universities requiring the COVID vaccine
- April 15, 2021: College-going rates among students of color see an increase despite little change in statewide rates
- April 13, 2021: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 15 new local scholarship proposals
- April 6, 2021: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative and One Million Degrees launch “Finish What You Started”
- March 17, 2021: Inaugural Educational Equity Day of Dialogue brings together education partners to sign letter of commitment
- March 9, 2021: CDHE partners with Regent Education on a solution that provides undocumented Colorado students with equitable online experience when applying for state financial aid
- March 5, 2021: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves 27 grant projects to continue expanding access and student savings in Colorado
- March 4, 2021: Colorado’s educator preparation programs show increase in enrollment and completion
- February 24, 2021: Department releases Healthy Minds and Hunger Free Campus Checklists in an effort to erase hunger and address mental health needs
2020
- December 18, 2020: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 25 new local scholarship proposals
- December 16, 2020: Inaugural equity report provides roadmap to educational equity
- December 10, 2020: Applications increase by 28% during third Colorado Free Application Day
- December 7, 2020: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative launches new pilot grant in Adams County to explore Pay for Success in higher education
- October 29, 2020: Governor Jared Polis Names ZTC Degree Challenge winners
- October 23, 2020: Colorado Team Chosen to Serve on Educator Preparation Consortium to Better Engage Families
- October 21, 2020: Twelve Colorado colleges and universities receive $1 million in emergency aid to students
- October 1, 2020: New portal allows Colorado ASSET students to apply for state financial aid
- September 30, 2020: Colorado Department of Higher Education unveils Colorado Collegiate Apprenticeship Program
- September 24, 2020: Governor Jared Polis announces Colorado colleges and universities will again waive applications fees on October 13
- September 18th, 2020: Colorado Department of Higher Education launches four new statewide transfer agreements
- September 8, 2020: The Colorado Commission of Higher Education votes to support repeal of Gallagher Amendment
- August 12, 2020: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative announces sixth year of matching scholarships grant program funding
- August 3, 2020: Going to college or technical school remains a beneficial investment that allows Coloradans to be more resilient during economic challenges
- May 29, 2020: Virtual summit highlights the role of Open Education in remote and online learning
- May 15, 2020: High school graduates’ college-going rate remains stagnant; new report outlines policy recommendations designed to mitigate potential declines in enrollment due to COVID-19
- April 3, 2020: State grows in overall educational attainment
- March 4, 2020: Colorado Department of Higher Education opens application for Second Chance Scholarship Program
- Feb. 21, 2020: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves $1 million in OER grant funding
2019
- Dec. 23, 2019: Colorado Department of Higher Education announces appointees for Sexual Misconduct Advisory Committee
- Dec. 18, 2019: Applications double during second Colorado Free Application Day
- Dec. 10, 2019: 2019 Colorado Department of Higher Education opens application for Educator Loan Forgiveness program
- Sept. 20, 2019: Governor Jared Polis announces Colorado colleges and universities will again waive applications fees on October 15
- July 30, 2019: Going to college or technical school remains a rewarding investment for Coloradans
- June 26, 2019: Colorado receives $12 million award from U.S. Department of Labor to expand apprenticeships in health care
- June 14, 2019: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves more than $7.5 million in matching scholarship grant funds
- April 1, 2019: Colorado’s dual enrollment programs grow by nearly 10 percent
- March 21, 2019: State announces new attainment numbers; shows overall increase plus growth among most minority groups
- Feb. 22, 2019: As Colorado aims to improve student outcomes, high school college-going rate remains consistent with persistent gaps among ethnic groups
- Feb. 13, 2019:Colorado’s educator preparation programs show increase in enrollment, drop in completion
- Feb. 7, 2019: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves $550,000 in OER grant funding
- Jan. 3, 2019: Colorado colleges and universities see jump in applications following Colorado Free Application Day
- Jan. 2, 2019: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves five new local scholarship proposals
2018
- Dec. 7, 2018: Colorado Department of Higher Education partners with WICHE, DHS and FEMA on cybersecurity preparedness exercise
- Nov. 8, 2018: Gov. Hickenlooper announces Colorado is among six states to receive federal GEAR UP grant
- Oct. 17, 2018: Colorado Department of Higher Education awards nearly $2 million in grants to fight teacher shortage
- Oct. 15, 2018: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative announces $7.5 million available in its current round of matching scholarships grant program
- Oct. 3, 2018: Gov. Hickenlooper announces free application day at Colorado higher education institutions
- June 20, 2018: Latest report shows lower developmental education rates for Colorado high school graduates
- June 5, 2018: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative receives $3.5 million in additional state funding
- June 4, 2018: State campaign touts benefits of modern apprenticeships
- May 10, 2018: Governor and General Assembly provide more than $105 million in new funding to support state's talent development
- May 4, 2018: Colorado Commission on Higher Education approves changes for awarding college credit for military training
- May 2, 2018: Gov. Hickenlooper recognizes May 4 as College Friday
- May 1, 2018: Morgan Community College Foundation named 2018 Quarterly Forum scholarship recipient
- April 3, 2018: Colorado's dual enrollment programs continue to grow with gains among minority groups
- March 2, 2018: Colorado high school college-going rate remains consistent, but gaps among ethnic groups linger
- Feb. 20, 2018 Department of Higher Education announces campus partnerships, convenes community and business leaders to launch two-year equity effort
- Feb. 15, 2018 State announces new attainment numbers; shows overall increase plus growth among minority groups
- Jan. 29, 2018 Federal grants boost rural educator recruitment, retention efforts
2017
- Dec. 7, 2017: Education commissioner presents draft strategic plan for commission feedback
- Dec. 4, 2017: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves nine new local scholarship proposals
- Dec. 1, 2017: State plan outlines recommendations for recruiting, retaining educators to address teacher shortage
- Oct. 5, 2017 Colorado Department of Higher Education receives $400,000 federal grant to study dual enrollment
- Oct. 4, 2017: Colorado Scholarship Initiative announces third year of $7 million matching scholarships grant program
- Sept. 12, 2017: Colorado Commission on Higher Education releases statewide plan to increase postsecondary attainment
- Aug. 25, 2017: Statewide council addresses future of open educational resources in Colorado
- May 31, 2017: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 29 new local scholarship proposals
- May 5, 2017: Developmental education rates rise slightly for second straight year
- April 12, 2017: Gov. Hickenlooper Proclaims April 21 as College Friday
- April 6, 2017: Colorado’s dual enrollment programs grow for seventh straight year
- March 30, 2017: Colorado Mesa University Foundation named 2017 Quarterly Forum Scholarship Recipient
- March 28, 2017: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 12 new local scholarship proposals
- March 22, 2017: Colorado’s FAFSA Completion Project receives additional support from The Kresge Foundation
- March 14, 2017: Colorado Commission on Higher Education Statement on International Students
- March 3, 2017: Colorado high school students continue upward trend in college enrollment, academic success
2016
- December 7, 2016: Scholarship Initiative announces funding for 19 grant recipients to assist Colorado students
- December 1, 2016: Individuals completing educator preparation programs declines for sixth straight year
- November 28, 2016: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 10 new local scholarship proposals
- November 14, 2016: StudyColorado announces continued growth in international student enrollment at Colorado institutions
- November 3, 2016: StudyColorado welcomes Mexican students to Colorado, celebrates Colorado-Mexico education partnership
- October, 20 2016: Colorado Department of Higher Education to visit Red Rocks Community College for scholarship award presentation
- September 12, 2016: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative awards $900,000 to three collective impact initiative grantees
- August 22, 2016: Lt. Gov. Lynne to visit Morgan Community College for scholarship award presentation
- August 16, 2016: Lt. Gov. Lynne to visit Western State Colorado University for scholarship award presentation
- August 9, 2016: Lt. Gov. Lynne to visit Colorado Mountain College for scholarship award presentation
- June 23, 2016: Scholarship Initiative announces 12 new grant recipients to assist Colorado students
- May 27, 2016: Diane Duffy named Chief Operating Officer
- May 27, 2016: Remediation rates up slightly for 2014-15 academic year
- May 6, 2016: Report shows continued growth in Colorado’s dual enrollment programs
- April 28, 2016: Scholarship Initiative and Quarterly Forum partner up again, providing $150,000 in scholarships
- March 29, 2016: Colorado Department of Higher Education announces finalists for new grant program to address the attainment gap
- January 28, 2016: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves 9 new local scholarship proposals
- January 13, 2016: P-TECH schools coming to Colorado
2015
- December 1, 2015: Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative approves $1.3 million in scholarships, which will be matched 1:1
- November 16, 2015: StudyColorado announces big increase in international student enrollment in Colorado (additional information)
- October 23, 2015: Three Colorado campuses awarded grants to improve teacher quality
- October 22, 2015: Colorado FAFSA project hits the national stage
- September 9, 2015: P-TECH project off the ground
- September 2, 2015: Colorado Commission on Higher Education asks state legislators to make the hospital provider fee an enterprise fund
- August 20, 2015: State scholarship initiative gets OK to match local funds
- June 4, 2015: State remedial rate drops 3 percentage points for second year in a row
- May 8, 2015: Colorado’s dual enrollment programs growing
- April 29: EdPays 2015: How much is your degree worth?
- March 9: Two Colorado colleges become nation’s first “PARCC Pioneers”
- Feb. 12: College In Colorado launches new website to help ASSET students and their families
- Feb. 11: International higher education leaders visit Colorado to study postsecondary-workforce innovation
- Feb. 9: 2015 Job Skills Report hones in on Colorado’s “Top Jobs”