13 Summer Programs for High School Students in Colorado
As a high school student, summer programs offer a practical way to gain skills, industry exposure, and professional connections outside the regular classroom. They allow you to explore academic and career interests through project-based work, internships, or research while building college-ready abilities such as critical thinking, teamwork, and technical competence. You also have the opportunity to receive mentorship from experienced professionals, which will help you learn and build a network.
In Colorado, reputable universities, research centers, nonprofits, and industry partners offer summer programs that connect you with local expertise, facilities, and employers. If you live in Colorado, these programs can be a convenient way to sample campus life or nearby industries; if you’re from out of state, they provide a chance to explore regional academic strengths and expand your network. If you are interested in STEM, environmental science, the arts, entrepreneurship, or college preparation, you will find offerings tailored to your aims.
Below, we’ve narrowed the selection to 15 summer programs for high school students in Colorado.
1. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. May/June deadlines in the summer. You can apply here.
Dates: Various, according to the cohort
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded and run by Harvard graduate students, offers programs tailored for high school students who are passionate about artificial intelligence. Students who are looking to get started with AI, ML, and data science would benefit from the AI Scholars program. Through this 10-session boot camp, students are introduced to the fundamentals of AI & data science and get a chance to work on real-world projects. Another option for more advanced students is the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase. Through this program, you will get a chance to work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. A bonus of this program is that you will have access to the in-house publication team to help them secure publications in high school research journals. The fellowship encourages students to explore interdisciplinary approaches, enabling them to merge AI with various fields such as finance, medicine, sports, environmental science, and more! You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
2. Teen Science Scholars at Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Location: Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Stipend: A stipend offered + food vouchers to cover living costs
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Application deadline: March 13
Eligibility: Students must be entering their junior or senior year in the fall, be interested in learning more about a science-related career to apply.
Program dates: Dates yet to be announced, but it will be held from early June to the end of July.
This internship allows you to explore a variety of subjects, such as biology, geology, astronomy, and paleontology. Guided by experienced educators and museum professionals, you will participate in research, laboratory work, and field studies. The program follows a rigorous pedagogy that emphasizes inquiry-based learning, critical thinking, and scientific methodology. As an intern, you will collaborate with experts, contribute to ongoing research projects, and present your findings to the scientific community.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; need-based financial aid available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; summer deadline typically in May
Dates: The summer cohort typically begins in June; the program length depends on the format you choose
Eligibility: High school students
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program, created by researchers from Harvard and Oxford, offers high school students the chance to work one-on-one with a PhD mentor on a self-directed research project. You can choose computer science as your focus and select a topic that aligns with your interests. Your project could focus on algorithms, artificial intelligence, machine learning, theoretical concepts, or programming. Throughout the program, you will work closely with your mentor, learning how research is conducted in a university setting, developing a research question, designing and conducting your study, and analyzing your results. By the end of the program, you will have a completed research paper.
4. Summer Multicultural Engineering Training (SUMMET) Program at Colorado State University
Location: Colorado School of Mines campus, Golden, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free; a $50 confirmation fee is required upon acceptance
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed
Dates: Session 1: May 31 – June 5; Session 2: June 7 – June 1; Session 3: June 21 – June 26
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors who are prospective first-generation college students.
The SUMMET program at Colorado School of Mines is a pre-college, immersive engineering and technology experience for rising high school seniors. Over the course of one week on the Mines campus, you will take part in workshops and lab activities across multiple engineering disciplines, learning from faculty and industry professionals. In addition to technical content, the program emphasizes multicultural perspectives and helps students explore what it’s like to study STEM at the college level. By staying in residence halls, you will also get a taste of campus life and build connections with peers who share similar interests. For many attendees, SUMMET serves as both a confidence builder and a clearer roadmap for future studies in science, engineering, or technology.
5. GenCyber Summer Camp at the University of Colorado Denver
Location: CU Denver Business School campus, Denver, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free (all materials provided, no fee)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed
Dates: July 15-19 (tentative)
Application Deadline: Selected students will be notified by June 1, tentatively
Eligibility: Open to all high school students in Colorado; no prior cybersecurity experience is required. Students must commit to the full camp schedule.
Participants in the CU Denver GenCyber Summer Camp spend a week exploring foundational and intermediate cybersecurity topics through interactive learning. Workshops and activities include ethical hacking, network security, digital forensics, cryptography, social engineering, and online safety. All required materials, such as virtual labs and Raspberry Pi kits, are provided free of charge, removing financial barriers for attendees. The program is virtual (or hybrid) in format, allowing students from across the state of Colorado to join without needing to travel. By the end of the week, you will earn a Certificate of Achievement and gain clearer insight into cybersecurity careers and the skills required to pursue them. This is a strong fit for students curious about technology, security, and how computing systems are protected.
6. LYNX National Arts & Media Camps at the University of Colorado Denver
Location: CU Denver College of Arts & Media campus, Denver, CO
Cost/Stipend: One-week commuter camps $650; Two-week camps have three tiers: Commuter-only ($1,300), Commuter-Plus ($1,800), and Residential ($2,600)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 260 students are selected
Dates: June 8-12 (one-week commuter camps); June 14-26 (two-week Music Industry program); July 12-24 (two-week Animation, Filmmaking, Visual Immersive Art camps)
Application Deadline: Priority Deadline: March 15; Final Deadline: May 15 (late applications considered through June 1)
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 who have completed 8th grade and not yet started college. Students who have completed 12th grade are admitted in some cases.
Students attending LYNX Camps will immerse themselves in intensive arts and media training, choosing among design, animation, film, music, and other creative fields. The program offers both commuter and residential formats, giving flexibility depending on how far students live and how much immersion they want. Over one or two weeks, you will work with faculty and guest artists in studios, labs, and performance spaces, and undertake both individual and collaborative projects. Evening and weekend programming (for certain tiers) adds extra exposure and enrichment beyond regular daytime instruction. Need-based scholarships are available, especially for those applying by the priority deadline, to help offset cost barriers. The experience also offers a preview of what college-level study in arts and media could be like, along with interaction with peers who share similar creative goals.
7. Bioengineering Opportunities and Leadership Training (BOLT) Camp at the University of Colorado Denver
Location: CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO
Cost/Stipend: $1075; all supplies and meals included; limited scholarship seats available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly listed; multiple sessions sell out quickly
Dates: June 8-11, June 15-18, and June 22-25
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: All students entering grades 10 - 12 in the fall
BOLT is a four-day, in-person camp where high schoolers explore biomedical engineering through immersive experiences. You will work in teams to design, build, test, and iterate prototypes, engaging in a design competition that puts your engineering and creative skills to use. On top of technical tasks, the camp features lab experiences (such as CRISPR tissue engineering), exposure to clinical environments, and mentorship from faculty and students. The program emphasizes leadership, empathy (especially considering people with disabilities), and creative problem-solving. Meals and all necessary supplies are provided; scholarships are available to help cover costs. For many participants, BOLT offers insight into what a future in bioengineering might look like and helps clarify if that track matches their interests and abilities.
8. Architecture in the City at the University of Colorado Denver
Location: CU Denver, College of Architecture & Planning campus, Denver, CO
Cost: Day camp: $750; Overnight camp: $2,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 28 students in a cohort
Dates: Day Camp: June 8 – 12; Overnight Camp: June 20 – 27
Application Deadline: Scholarship deadline February 1
Eligibility: Students entering their sophomore, junior, or senior year of high school; recent high school graduates also may apply
In Architecture in the City, you’ll explore architecture, urban design, landscape architecture, and planning through a mix of studio work, model building, and drawing techniques. Both day and overnight camp options let you collaborate on a design-build project that gives experience. You’ll work with faculty and peers to understand space, materials, sustainability, and how cities are shaped both visually and functionally. The overnight session offers deeper immersion, staying on campus and extending time for design work, critiques, and site visits. Scholarships are available for financial need, so cost variations (between day vs. overnight) can be mitigated. The experience helps clarify whether a future in architecture or related fields is right for you, and builds a portfolio of creative and technical work.
9. Global Business Academy at Colorado State University
Location: CSU College of Business campus & CSU Fort Collins campus dorms, Fort Collins, CO (with activities also at CSU Mountain Campus)
Cost/Stipend: $3,750 tuition; includes dorm housing, meals, academic materials, day trips, excursions, recreation fees, and 24-hour staff support. Scholarships available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Admission is competitive and considered holistically
Dates: July 13 – 23 (10-day program)
Application Deadline: Early admission & scholarship deadline: February 1; Final application deadline: June 1; International applications: May 15
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 (freshmen, sophomores, juniors) who will be enrolled in high school in the fall; must be at least 15 years old by Jan 1
In Global Business Academy, you’ll join peers from around the U.S. and abroad for 10 days of business and leadership learning at CSU. You’ll engage in workshops led by CSU College of Business faculty on topics like entrepreneurship, ethics, decision-making, innovation, and global sustainability. The program also includes team-building challenges (including a ropes course at CSU’s Mountain Campus), excursions, and exposure to real business leaders through guest talks. Living in the university dorms gives a taste of college life; meals and materials are included. For many students, this experience helps clarify their interest in business studies, builds leadership skills, and establishes valuable global connections.
10. Lighthouse Writers’ Young Writers Summer Camp
Location: Lighthouse Writers Workshop campus, 3844 York Street, Denver, CO (also virtual options)
Cost/Stipend: Tuition ranges approximately $270-$520, depending on full-day vs half-day, session length, and whether virtual or in-person.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small sessions, typically 6-12 campers per session, allowing for more individualized attention.
Dates: Camps run Monday through Friday during the summer, from June through August. Specific weeks vary by offering.
Application Deadline: Applications open in January; no fixed universal deadline — sessions fill, and a waitlist is used when seats are full.
Eligibility: Writers ages 8-18; high school students (roughly grades 9-12) qualify; both beginners and more experienced young writers are welcome.
In this camp, young writers explore creative expression across genres, fiction, poetry, science fiction & fantasy, screenwriting, and more, with workshops led by published, award-winning writers. Whether you choose full-day, half-day, in-person, or virtual formats, you’ll engage in writing exercises, peer feedback, and opportunities to experiment with style and form. The environment is supportive: small groups mean focused feedback and chances to explore individual voice. Sessions often conclude with sharing or presentation work, helping students build both confidence and tangible pieces of writing. Financial aid/tuition assistance is available to help reduce cost barriers. The camp is well-suited for students interested in developing their writing skills, exploring different genres, and gaining a creative community of peers.
11. The Lorenzo De Zavala (LDZ) Youth Legislative Session
Location: Colorado State University campus, Fort Collins, CO
Cost/Stipend: Tuition is $1,220, plus a $25 application fee and $150 non-refundable deposit
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Spaces left as of current listing: 29
Dates: June 20 – 27
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Students in 10th or 11th grade; must have a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0; college-bound students
LDZ is an immersive model-government leadership program where you’ll live on CSU’s campus for a full week, engage with students from across the U.S. and Latin America, and practice leadership, debate, and policy writing. You’ll assume roles like lawmakers, lobbyists, and journalists as you form parties, propose legislation, negotiate, defend bills, and lead public speaking sessions. The schedule is full except early mornings through late evenings with structured workshops and spontaneous challenges. Beyond technical skills, LDZ emphasizes community building, self-awareness, and political process understanding, giving you tools to be active in civic life. The experience is well-suited for students interested in public policy, leadership, governance, debate, or advocacy.
12. Girls Who Code Summer Immersion Programs
Location: Fully virtual / online; live-virtual classrooms and interactive partner-sponsored events over the internet (US-based & international participation). Colorado high school students may participate.
Cost/Stipend: Free; needs-based grants available for eligible U.S. students (for living/transportation or other support)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Classes tend to fill up and have waitlists
Dates: Summer Immersion Program (SIP): Round 1 is June 7 - 18; Round 2 is July 28 - August 8; Pathways: June 30 - August 8 (6-week program)
Application Deadline: Early acceptance deadline: February 28; General application deadline: April 11
Eligibility: Current high school students; for the Summer Immersion Program, generally rising 9th-11th graders (or equivalent); Pathways is for current 9th-12th graders (including graduating seniors in some cases)
The Girls Who Code programs offer two tracks: a two-week Summer Immersion Program (SIP) with live online classrooms where you’ll learn game design, basic UX, partner events, and coding workshops; and a six-week Pathways option, which you do more independently but still have live events and mentor connections. The curriculum spans web development, data science, cybersecurity, AI, and more, depending on your track. You’ll build projects (for example, game prototypes, websites, or apps), get support from instructors and industry partners, and connect with peers from all over. Because it’s virtual, you have flexibility in not needing to travel, and the financial grants help make participation feasible for students facing cost constraints. If you’re a high schooler interested in coding who wants both structure and community, this is a good option.
13. Venture Validator – Summer Camp at Colorado State University
Location: Online via Zoom. Colorado high school students may participate
Cost/Stipend: $75 per participant; scholarships available for students who live or attend school in the 80216 zip code
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: October 23 - November 20
Application Deadline: Between February and March, tentatively
Eligibility: Students ages 12-16 (rising 7th-10th grade)
Venture Validator is a weeklong, half-day camp where young students explore entrepreneurship through methods like identifying problems they’re passionate about and learning how to build business ideas around them. During the mornings, you’ll engage in workshops covering design thinking, customer discovery, business model development, and pitching your concept. The camp emphasizes skill building in idea generation, collaboration, and presentation, with support from instructors and mentors. It culminates with participants presenting their ideas to a panel, sharpening both their creative thinking and ability to communicate. Since it runs at CSU Spur in Denver, it also offers exposure to academic and business spaces, making it useful for students thinking about entrepreneurial or business pathways.
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