Colorado has embraced online education across a wide range of grade levels, with comprehensive learning programs accommodating students in grades K-12 all the way through college. Some of the earliest online education legislation includes the 1996 Technology Learning Grant and Revolving Loan Program by the General Assembly, which defines distance learning initiatives and proposes a fund distribution process. Dozens of online schools have received authorization from the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), including multi-district, single district, and charter schools. According to the CDE, over 16,000 Colorado students take public school courses online. And interest in online education options is certainly rising. Between 2003 and 2011, online elementary enrollment rose by 172%, middle school enrollment increased by 347%, and high school enrollment grew by 904%.
High enrollment rates also characterize the overall higher education landscape in Colorado — public four-year colleges and universities saw a 23.6% increase between 2006 and 2011. Still, the state's college students are bearing the brunt of rising tuition costs. During the same period, tuition rates at four-year public institutions rose by 64.5% and state education appropriations fell by 6.1%.
Learn more about Colorado's best online degree programs and courses by using the search tool. You can also see how this state's higher education environment compares to national averages by taking a look at the state facts tab below.
Featured Online Programs
57 Colleges in Colorado
Additional Resources
Official State Links
- Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Colorado Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Readiness
College Savings
- CollegeInvest Scholars Choice: There are nine different options under the Scholars Choice 529 plan. Scholars Choice is sold by financial professionals and managed by Legg Mason Global Asset Allocation, LLC, an affiliate of Legg Mason.
- CollegeInvest Smart Choice: This plan is the state's only FDIC-insured 529 plan. First Bank offers two savings options: a 1-year time savings account, a time limited certificate of deposit, or a money market savings account, which allows account holders to make deposits and withdrawals at any time.
- CollegeInvest Stable Value Plus College Savings Plan: This plan is offered by CollegeInvest and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company of Connecticut. The Stable Value Plus plan guarantees a fixed-income college savings plan that will give account holders a minimum of 2% return on investment. Colorado residents who invest in this plan can receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax deduction for the calendar year they contribute.
- CollegeInvest Direct Portfolio: This plan is managed by Vanguard. To open a plan through this option, account holders need just $25 and additional contributions must be $15 or more. There are three age-based plans, five blended and three individual portfolio options in the Direct Portfolio 529 College Savings Plan.
Education Nonprofits
- Colorado Succeeds: A coalition of businesses in Colorado dedicated to working together to improve education from kindergarten through higher education. Its members believe that as a community of business owners, they have the responsibility to improve access to education and workforce readiness.
- Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education: Colorado has been a member of the Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education (WICHE) since 1951. The commission's goal is to increase access to higher education for students.
Higher Education News
- Higher Education Blogs at Colorado Technical University: This blog offers discussion of issues related to education, both at CTU and across the country.
- Colorado Chalkbeat: This blog covers issues at all levels of education. The link offers a search for higher-education related news.