Best Summer Programs in Denver

Best Summer Programs in Denver – 2026

March 6, 2026

Denver–the Mile High City–is perched just east of the Rocky Mountains. Famous for its 300 days a year of sunshine, it’s an outdoor lover’s paradise with enough hiking, biking, and climbing to keep you busy for a lifetime. Within the city itself, you’ll find multiple museums, including the acclaimed Denver Art Museum, the Museum of Nature and Science, and the Molly Brown House Museum, former residence of a Titanic survivor. Known for its rich Hispanic and indigenous heritage, Denver is also a cultural gathering area for the American Indian and Alaska Native communities. In addition, college towns Colorado Springs, Fort Collins, and Boulder are within an hour’s drive. Interested in attending one of the many excellent Denver summer programs? Polish your sunglasses, plan to drink twice as much water as you usually would (altitude adjustment pro tip), and take your pick from the list below.

Want a full look at our searchable database of the best 2026 summer programs? Click below to sort summer programs by discipline and location, and view important data points such as tuition costs, deadlines, course listings, and more!

2026 Best Summer Programs

1)

Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Instructional Method: In-person (residential)
Program Length: 2 weeks
Cost: $7,250
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors
Application Deadline: Rolling

While taking a summer course of choice, students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Colorado College’s Block Plan. For those who aren’t familiar with the , it’s a unique schedule—students take one class at a time for three-and-a-half weeks (eight classes per academic year). Accordingly, the summer program introduces students to this format.

Pre-college students can choose from four courses, which includes options The Entrepreneurial You: Designing Your Life and Career, or From Grasslands to Glaciers. Moreover, upon successful completion of their course, students earn college credit. Additionally, students enjoy CC’s academic community (thriving even in the summer) and engage in field trips and supplemental programming. For example, bouldering, hiking, yoga, and art are just a few of the many options available. Finally, all students live in a residence hall with other pre-college students as well as CC undergraduates.

To apply to these Denver summer programs, students will need to submit a transcript and a counselor recommendation. In addition, they can submit optional teacher recommendations, test scores, and writing samples.

2)

Location: Denver, CO
Instructional Method: In-person (residential or commuter)
Program Length: Varies (2 days to 2 weeks)
Cost: Varies
Eligibility: Varies (most accommodate 9-12th graders)
Application Deadline: Varies (most are rolling / first-come, first-served)

Here, high school students will find four different Denver summer programs. Firstly, , run by the College of Architecture and Planning, introduces students to architecture and urban planning. It also provides hands-on opportunities with small-scale models, architectural design software, and the opportunity to design and build an actual project. In addition, students visit architectural firms and project sites.

How do engineers solve clinical problems? Students will investigate that question at –or Bioengineering Opportunities and Leadership Training. Over the course of the program, students will learn about biomedical engineering and related research. They’ll also work in small groups to create a prototype and compete in a design competition.

Moreover, is a free cybersecurity education program funded by the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation. However, it is open only to Colorado high school students. Admission is selective, and students spend a week learning about cybersecurity ethics, behavioral security, and digital forensics, among other topics.

Finally, offer both residential and commuter options that vary in length. One-week options include Comic Book Character Design, 2D Animation/Illustration, Audio Production, and Photography; two-week options include Music Industry, Animation, Filmmaking, and Visual Immersive Art.

3)

Location: Fort Collins, CO
Instructional Method: In-person (residential and commuter) and online
Program Length: Varies
Cost: Varies
Eligibility: Varies (most accept rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors)
Application Deadline: Varies (most are between February-May)

Whether your goal is to earn academic credit or gain skills in a new area, CSU likely offers Denver summer programs you’ll find valuable. Residential options abound, and include the unique (and free!) . Here, students work with faculty members and female architecture/construction professionals to develop confidence, explore careers, and build projects.

Additionally, the allows students to fast-track their skills in communication, leadership, and financial literacy, among others. They also attend lectures and business simulations. Moreover, students network with business executives, explore the surrounding area, and participate in team-building exercises at Rocky Mountain National Park.

Interested in becoming a veterinarian? The exposes students to topics like dendrochronology, equine-assisted therapy, water quality, and native bees via lectures, experiential learning, and lab visits. All students will be individually mentored, and outdoor fieldwork is required. Moreover, the application is competitive and requires an essay.

Finally, other notable residential programs include the , which is completely free. Non-residential programs include the program and the .

4)

Location: Boulder, CO
Instructional Method: In-person (commuter)
Program Length: 1, 2, 8 weeks
Cost: $650-$2,400
Eligibility: Varies (most welcome rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors)
Application Deadline: Varies (most are first-come, first-served)

STEM students will have their pick of the litter at CU Boulder. For starters, are held for one week each throughout June and July, and are designed for students looking to dive deep into a specialized area. As such, they include hands-on learning, lab work, and field trips. Past classes included Aerospace, Biotechnology, Computer Science, Robotics, and Forensics, among others. Those interested in a more intensive option should consider , a two week-long experience that allows students to develop their own research proposals.

Furthermore, students who are interested in gaining laboratory experience should seriously consider the . Over the course of eight weeks, students are mentored by Boulder and Anschutz faculty members. They also work in the lab 15-20 hours per week. Additionally, the course culminates in a poster session. The application process is competitive and requires participants to complete essay questions as well as a short video.

Finally, talented musicians might consider taking advantage of either the or Summer Music Academies. Here, they’ll receive instruction from renowned musicians and CU faculty members. They’ll also take electives and masterclasses. When applying to these Denver summer programs, students will need to provide a video recording of specific skills.

5)

Location: Golden, CO
Instructional Method: In-person (commuter)
Program Length: 1 week
Cost: $650
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors
Application Deadline: First-come, first-served

At Colorado School of Mines, students have the opportunity to build 3D design skills in SolidWorks. While exploring creative modeling and visualization, students are given hands-on challenges to complete. Furthermore, on the final day of the program, students become a Certified SolidWorks Associate, which is an industry-recognized certification. As such, it’s one they’ll benefit greatly from if they intend to pursue a career in engineering. Finally, these Denver summer programs are taught by a former adjunct faculty member of the Colorado School of Mines.

Final Thoughts

Within an hour’s drive of the Mile High City, students will find multiple college campuses. Accordingly, those interested in Denver summer programs will have access to a variety of academic and career development options both in and outside the city.

Looking for more summer program resources? Be sure to check out the following:

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Summer Programs

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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