15 Medical Programs for High School Students in Colorado
As a high school student, medical programs can provide you with early exposure to healthcare careers, scientific research, and clinical environments before college. Depending on the program's structure, you might explore areas such as patient care, public health, biomedical engineering, laboratory research, or healthcare technology through workshops, mentorship, volunteer work, or projects. These experiences can also help you develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, scientific writing, data analysis, and problem-solving. For students interested in medicine or healthcare-related fields, participating in a structured program can offer a clearer understanding of how different roles and disciplines function within healthcare systems.
Why should you attend a program in Colorado?
Colorado offers access to a wide range of healthcare institutions, research universities, and STEM-focused organizations that create opportunities for high school students interested in medicine and science. Many medical programs in Colorado connect you with hospitals, research labs, university faculty, and healthcare professionals working in areas such as biotechnology, public health, engineering, and clinical care. Colorado also has strong connections between universities and healthcare systems, which allows some programs to incorporate mentorship, research experiences, and exposure to current medical technologies.
Here are 15 medical programs for high school students in Colorado to explore.
If you’re looking for STEM programs in Colorado, check out our blog here.
Key takeaways
Several programs are free or paid, including Medical Career Collaborative (paid internship), Children's Hospital Colorado Child Health Research Internship ($4,400 stipend), and volunteer programs at Boulder Community Health, UCHealth, and Banner Health, making Colorado a strong state for no-cost medical opportunities.
Programs span a wide range of medical fields, including pediatric research (Children's Hospital Colorado), biomedical engineering (CU BOLT), clinical skills training (CU Medical Student Experience), AI in medicine (Veritas AI), public health (CU Pre-Health Scholars), and laboratory research (CU Biomedical Research Bootcamp).
Several programs are hosted on the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, giving students direct exposure to one of the country's leading academic medical centers.
Students looking for extended, year-long experiences can apply to the Medical Career Collaborative and CU Pre-Health Scholars Program, both of which run throughout the academic year rather than just in the summer.
Most competitive programs have deadlines between February and March, so students should begin identifying programs of interest in the fall and prepare applications well in advance.
1. Medical Career Collaborative (MC²)
Location: Several locations in CO
Cost/Stipend: None; paid internship component
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~75 spots
Dates: Academic year and summer (2 years)
Application Deadline: March 4
Eligibility: High school sophomores in the Denver Metro or Colorado Springs areas
The Medical Career Collaborative (MC²) is a long-term medical program in Colorado that introduces high school students to different areas of healthcare through internships, mentorship, and career development activities. During the program, you participate in workshops, training sessions, and field trips that explore healthcare specialties and help you build practical workplace and communication skills. A major component is the hospital-based internship experience, where you work alongside healthcare staff in clinical or administrative departments and observe how different medical teams operate. You also attend weekly seminars focused on healthcare topics and medical terminology. The program also includes ongoing professional development support, such as certification opportunities, career coaching, and guidance on postsecondary healthcare pathways.
2. Veritas AI's AI+Medicine
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort. You can apply to the program here.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the AI Scholars program or have a background in coding
Veritas AI’s AI+Medicine program focuses on how artificial intelligence is being applied in healthcare and medical research. Over several weeks, you study topics connected to both computer science and medicine, including medical data preparation, exploratory data analysis, convolutional neural networks, image segmentation, and transfer learning. The curriculum introduces high school students to technical concepts that are commonly used in medical imaging and healthcare data analysis. As the program progresses, you work collaboratively with a small group of students to apply these concepts to an AI- and medicine-related project. By the end of the experience, you will have completed a group project that combines technical research with medical applications.
3. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Child Health Research Internship
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Stipend: $4,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Colorado high school seniors (18+)
This medical research program pairs students with faculty mentors in the Department of Pediatrics to conduct laboratory or clinical research. You spend the summer working on a dedicated project related to child health, gaining experience in data collection, lab safety, and scientific methodology. You’ll also attend weekly seminars that cover topics in pediatric medicine, ethics, and career development. The program emphasizes translating bench research into bedside treatments for pediatric patients. At the end of the summer, you present your findings through a written summary and an oral poster/PowerPoint at a formal research symposium attended by faculty and peers.
4. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program (financial aid available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Several cohorts year-round
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here, and check out students’ reviews of the program here and here.
5. CU Pre-Health Scholars Program High School Track
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Colorado high school students
The CU Pre-Health Scholars Program High School Track is an academic enrichment program that introduces Colorado high school students to healthcare careers, STEAM education, and research experiences. Throughout the year, you attend monthly academies and summer sessions that combine hands-on activities with discussions of healthcare systems, research, and public health. Activities may include wound suturing exercises, blood pressure demonstrations, environmental field testing, and poster presentations designed to build practical and analytical skills. The program also includes coursework in health equity, innovation, and introductory research methods. You’ll also receive support related to college preparation through workshops focused on SAT preparation and college selection.
6. Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Junior Volunteer Program
Location: Several locations in CO
Cost/Stipend: None; two recognition scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round and summer opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Teens ages 13-18
Children’s Hospital Colorado’s Junior Volunteer Program gives high school students the opportunity to observe how a pediatric hospital operates and to support patients, families, and hospital staff through volunteer work. Depending on your placement, you may assist with events, organize activities for children and families, or support staff in different hospital departments. Through these experiences, you gain exposure to both clinical and nonclinical healthcare roles, including nursing, therapy, administration, and information technology. The program also includes leadership opportunities through the Junior Volunteer Advisory Committee, where students help organize events and coordinate activities for patients and volunteers.
7. Boulder Community Health (BCH) Volunteers
Location: BCH Foothills Hospital, Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Minimum 6 months
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to anyone aged 15+
The volunteer program at Boulder Community Health allows students to contribute to different areas of the healthcare system while learning about hospital operations and patient support services. Volunteers assist with a range of responsibilities, including helping patients and families, supporting physical therapy services, assisting staff on medical units, or completing administrative tasks. Through these experiences, you interact with healthcare workers across different departments and observe how clinical and nonclinical teams work together in a medical setting. Some volunteer roles also involve supporting specialized programs such as infant hearing assessments or patient services coordination.
8. UCHealth Volunteers
Location: Poudre Valley Hospital, Fort Collins, CO/Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Minimum 65 hours or a 6-month period
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students must be 15+
The volunteer program at UCHealth gives high school students and other community members the opportunity to support patients, families, hospital staff, and visitors in a healthcare setting. Through consistent volunteer service, you gain experience working in fast-paced medical environments while observing how hospitals coordinate patient care and daily operations. Volunteer responsibilities vary by department and facility, exposing you to both clinical support and administrative functions within healthcare systems. The program emphasizes reliability, communication, and long-term commitment, helping students build professional habits that are important in medical and service-oriented fields.
9. Banner Health Volunteers
Location: Several locations in Colorado
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Open to anyone aged 16+
Banner Health’s volunteer program allows high school students to support healthcare while learning about various aspects of medical facilities and community health programs. You may work directly with patients or contribute through behind-the-scenes support roles that help hospitals and healthcare programs operate more efficiently. Depending on your placement, you could observe how healthcare providers interact with patients, families, and community organizations across different care settings. The program also introduces students to professional expectations in healthcare environments through onboarding procedures and structured volunteer responsibilities.
10. CU Science Discovery's Summer STEM Research Experience
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO; CU Boulder campus, Boulder, CO
Cost: $2,400 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 3 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 18
Eligibility: Students who are 16+
CU Science Discovery’s Summer STEM Research Experience gives high school students the opportunity to participate in mentored scientific research projects across a range of STEM and medical disciplines. Working in small groups with faculty or graduate student mentors, you contribute to ongoing research by reviewing scientific literature, supporting experiments, and analyzing research data. The program also includes a weekly research methods seminar that introduces participants to the broader scientific research process and research communication strategies. Depending on your assigned lab, you may work on projects connected to medicine, neuroscience, microbiology, bioengineering, or computational biology. The program concludes with a research expo where you present your work to peers, mentors, and guests.
11. University of Colorado’s BOLT Summer Camp
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $1,075 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 35 students/session
Dates: June 8 – 11; June 15 – 18; June 22 – 25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th graders
The University of Colorado’s BOLT Summer Camp introduces high school students to the intersection of engineering and medicine through hands-on biomedical engineering projects. Throughout the program, you work in teams to design, build, test, and improve prototype devices while learning how engineering concepts are applied in healthcare settings. Activities include 3D printing, laboratory tours, and sessions focused on tissue engineering and clinical problem-solving. You also interact with researchers, physicians, and industry professionals who discuss different applications of biomedical technology and current research areas.
12. CU Science Discovery’s Biomedical Research Bootcamp
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $1,200 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
This medical program focuses on the laboratory skills necessary for careers in medical research and biotechnology. You work in high-tech teaching laboratories, performing DNA extraction, gel electrophoresis, and microbial culture techniques. The curriculum is designed to mirror the daily activities of a professional biomedical scientist. You’ll tour active research facilities on the Anschutz campus and meet with scientists working on cures for cancer and infectious diseases. This bootcamp is ideal for students who want to understand the science behind medicine before committing to a clinical path.
13. Colorado Health Careers Academy
Location: Arapahoe Community College, Littleton/Community College of Denver, Lowry, CO
Cost: $259 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 8 – 26 (Littleton) | July 6 – 24 (Lowry)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students and young adults who are 15-24 years old
The Colorado Health Careers Academy is a summer medical program that introduces high school students to a range of healthcare professions through workshops, virtual learning, and practical training sessions. During the program, you explore fields such as medical assisting, radiology, respiratory therapy, pharmacy technology, and nursing through webinars, presentations, and virtual job shadowing experiences. Hands-on medical labs and training sessions allow students to practice clinical skills and become familiar with healthcare environments and procedures. You also complete professional development activities focused on resume writing, interviewing, and long-term career planning. As part of the training, students earn a Basic Life Support (BLS) certification that introduces foundational emergency response skills.
14. CU Science Discovery’s STEM Pathfinder Programs
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $1,300 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 12
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: Rising 10th to 12th grade students
CU Science Discovery’s STEM Pathfinder Programs are designed for high school students seeking to explore bioscience and related STEM fields through short-term, immersive experiences. Over the course of the program, you rotate through several departments and participate in lab tours, interactive activities, and discussions with faculty and university students. The bioscience track introduces students to areas such as molecular biology, computational biology, ecology, and bio-inspired design, helping you compare different scientific disciplines and research approaches. Activities are structured to give you a clearer understanding of how research, academic study, and healthcare-related sciences connect across fields. Career-mapping exercises and conversations with university staff also encourage students to consider possible academic and professional pathways in STEM.
15. CU Science Discovery’s Medical Student Experience
Location: Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost: $650 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 19
Application Deadline: June 5
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10–12
This medical course allows high school students to step into the role of a medical trainee at the University of Colorado’s premier medical campus. You engage in hands-on clinical skills training, including suturing, administering injections, and practicing casting techniques. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics, including human anatomy, physical examination protocols, and the use of diagnostic ultrasound technology. You interact daily with current medical students and healthcare professionals to learn about the path to becoming a physician. The program concludes with simulated patient scenarios in which you apply your skills in a realistic medical environment.
Frequently asked questions
What types of medical programs are available for high school students in Colorado?
Options include paid research internships (Children's Hospital Colorado, Medical Career Collaborative), university-based bootcamps and summer intensives (CU BOLT, CU Biomedical Research Bootcamp, CU Medical Student Experience), hospital volunteer programs (Boulder Community Health, UCHealth, Banner Health, Children's Hospital Colorado), AI and technology programs (Veritas AI), independent research programs (Lumiere), and career exploration academies (Colorado Health Careers Academy, CU Pre-Health Scholars).
Are there free medical programs for high school students in Colorado?
Yes, several programs are free or paid. The Medical Career Collaborative includes a paid internship component; Children's Hospital Colorado's Child Health Research Internship provides a $4,400 stipend, and volunteer programs at Boulder Community Health, UCHealth, Banner Health, and Children's Hospital Colorado are all free to participate in. Programs like Veritas AI and Lumiere charge tuition but offer financial aid.
Which Colorado medical programs are best for students interested in research?
Children's Hospital Colorado's Child Health Research Internship pairs students 1-on-1 with faculty mentors for two months of pediatric research culminating in a formal symposium presentation. CU Science Discovery's Summer STEM Research Experience and Biomedical Research Bootcamp also offer hands-on lab research with faculty mentors. Lumiere Research Scholar Program allows students to pursue independent research in medicine-adjacent fields with a Ph.D. mentor.
Which programs are best for students interested in clinical skills and patient care?
CU Medical Student Experience gives students direct training in suturing, injections, casting, and diagnostic ultrasound at the Anschutz Medical Campus. The Medical Career Collaborative places students in hospital departments for direct clinical observation, and volunteer programs at UCHealth and Boulder Community Health provide sustained exposure to hospital operations and patient support.
Are there medical programs in Colorado specifically for younger high school students?
Children's Hospital Colorado Junior Volunteer Program accepts students as young as 13. Boulder Community Health and Banner Health accept volunteers from age 15, and UCHealth accepts volunteers aged 15 and older. CU BOLT and STEM Pathfinder Programs are open to rising 10th graders, making them accessible to students earlier in high school.
When should I apply to medical programs in Colorado?
Several programs have early deadlines. Children's Hospital Colorado Child Health Research Internship closes February 1, Colorado Health Careers Academy closes February 15, and CU Science Discovery's Summer STEM Research Experience closes March 18. CU BOLT and volunteer programs at Banner Health and UCHealth accept rolling applications year-round. Students should begin researching options in the fall and aim to apply by January or February for the most competitive programs.