Colorado Department of Higher Education

11/02/2026

CDHE believes that higher education systems, employers and state government should work together to better serve Colorado's learners, workforce and economy.

Colorado Work-Integrated Learning (CO-WIL) is an initiative connecting employers with students to collaborate on business challenges at five rural campuses across the state. CO-WIL helps students learn tangible skills that will connect them to career pathways and while investing in Colorado's future workforce.

Learn more about CO-WIL: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/co-wil-resources.

10/30/2026

Wondering if the 2027 federal Medicaid work requirements affect you?

Starting January 1, 2027, a new federal law referred to as “work requirements” will require some adults with Medicaid to complete and report work, school, work program or volunteer activities to keep their health coverage.

Use the free, anonymous screening tool to understand your situation and what steps you can take.

Try it at HealthFirstColorado.gov/Work-Requirements-Screener

10/30/2026

Next week, join us for part one a very special episode of WorkED Up! featuring representatives from the colleges and universities who earned CDHE's AI-Engaged Campus Designation. Hear about their process of integrating AI on their campuses, the challenges they have faced, and their visions for future AI engagement.

Check out the podcast on YouTube: https://ow.ly/sW4a5102xaH.
Listen on Spotify: https://ow.ly/u0gY5102xaF.

Aims Community College, Colorado School of Mines, University of Denver, Colorado State University Global, University of Northern Colorado, UNC, Metropolitan State University of Denver

10/30/2026

This week, Colorado Department of Higher Education executive director JB Holston joined Governor Jared Polis and Governor for a Day Weston Hancock for a visit to the Colorado School of Mines. During their visit they met with School of Mines President Paul Johnson and toured the Labriola Machine Shop and Quantum Lab.
Thank you for welcoming us to your campus!

10/29/2026

Did you know...? Colorado has programs that cover the total cost of attending college for eligible students. See if you're eligible.

The FosterEd program covers the cost of attendance for students who have been in foster care or non-certified kinship care in Colorado on or after their 13th birthday. Learn more: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/fostered.

The EmpowerEd program covers the cost of attendance for students ages 17-27 who experienced homelessness while enrolled at a Colorado high school. Learn more: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/empowered

EmpowerEd is a state-funded program, administered by the Colorado Department of Higher Education, that provides financial assistance at participating in-state public institutions of higher education for students who experienced homelessness, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance A...

10/29/2026

Colorado State University President Amy Parsons has announced that she will conclude her tenure at the end of this year.

During Parsons' nearly four-year tenure, the university saw record enrollment, efforts to expand affordability and accessibility, improvements to campus infrastructure, and investments in research and scientific leadership.

CDHE thanks Amy Parsons for her visionary stewardship, dedication to student success, and work in service of Colorado State University's students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors. Your impact on CSU has left it stronger. We wish you luck in your next chapter.

Read the full press release: https://source.colostate.edu/two-decades-of-leadership-a-lifetime-as-a-ram/.

After nearly four years as the president of Colorado State University – and two decades in leadership positions at CSU and the CSU System – Amy Parsons will conclude her tenure on Dec. 31, 2026.

10/29/2026

The Colorado Department of Higher Education held an in-person financial aid training session for educators this week on Colorado State University's Fort Collins campus. Thank you to all of the educators and professionals who attended and to CSU for hosting us!

Attendees heard current information on financial aid programs and walked through the financial aid application process. Special thanks to CDHE's Outreach and Community Engagement team for their work to empower educators and professionals navigating financial aid.

Find more training resources for educators and counselors: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/educator-financial-aid-training.

10/28/2026

High school seniors and recent graduates - are you wondering how you'll pay for college? See if you qualify for Colorado Promise!

Colorado Promise reimburses eligible students for tuition and fees paid out of pocket for their first 65 credit hours. Students must enroll in college within two years of completing high school, submit a FAFSA or CASFA, and have a household income of less than $90,000 to qualify. Find more information: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/colorado-promise.

Several institutions have promise programs that commit to covering some or all tuition and fees for eligible students. Explore your options: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/additional-institutional-affordability-programs.

10/28/2026

This week, Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein, Chief Educational Impact Officer at the Colorado Department of Higher Education, attended the 2026 NASPA Region IV-West Conference as a featured speaker.

Dr. G joined the Deputy Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education for the New Mexico Department of Higher Education, Dr. Patricia Trujillo, for a Fireside Chat covering student affairs policy, moderated by NASPA's Vice President of Research and Policy, Dr. Jhenai Chandler.

Thank you to NASPA for hosting this meaningful, engaging conference and to Dr. McKnight-Tutein for representing CDHE!

10/28/2026

Colorado's higher education system is helping students develop the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
Stackable credential pathways are a series of industry-recognized qualifications that students can earn over time to build their skills and advance in their careers. These short-term programs qualify students to start working and progressing in their industry sooner while earning college credits that stack into larger degree programs.
Learn more about CDHE's stackable credentials work: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/stackable-credential-pathways-initiative.