News Article

Five distinguished Colorado postsecondary institutions receive this year’s designation

DENVER – Colorado GEAR UP has been awarded its fifth consecutive seven-year grant cycle from the U.S. Department of Education, securing $35 million to continue its mission of increasing college and career readiness among low-income students across the state. This highly competitive grant will support services for 6,000 students in 16 under-resourced high schools, from ninth grade through their first year of college.

DENVER – September 30, 2025: The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) announced today that the Open Educational Resources Council will embark on an OER roadshow to higher education institutions across the state over the next several months. OER are no-cost educational materials that permit free re-use, remixing and sharing. Colorado students have saved more than $70 million in textbook costs since 2019 as a result of Colorado’s OER program.

DENVER –  The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) and Governor Jared Polis are pleased to announce the eighth annual

DENVER – August 14, 2025: The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) today released its annual Return on Investment (ROI) report, providing a comprehensive analysis of how Colorado’s public colleges and universities are preparing students for successful careers and long-term economic mobility. The ROI report helps lawmakers, taxpayers, students, and families understand the value of postsecondary education in Colorado.

DENVER- July 24, 2025: Today, Governor Polis announced several Open Educational Resource (OER) awards that increase access, equity, and affordability in higher education. Polis re-issued the Zero Textbook Cost "ZTC" Challenge for Colorado institutions. Zero textbook cost (ZTC) programs enable students to complete their degree without paying for textbooks through the use of open educational resources. Polis first issued the ZTC Challenge in 2020. View the Governor’s recent message

Celebration of Educational Excellence honors foster youth graduates

DENVER (May 21, 2025) — On June 5, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) will host the 27th annual Celebration of Educational Excellence. This special event honors young people involved in the foster care system or youth services who have earned their high school diploma, General Education Development (GED) or college degree.

DENVER – May 8, 2025: The Colorado Department of Higher Education and Colorado Department of Education honored Colorado’s future educators at an event on Wednesday, May 7, as part of Teacher Appreciation Week (May 5-9).

Coloradans wear gear from their alma mater and encourage young people to reach higher