The Colorado Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (C-CHEP) facilitates academic partnerships across the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) system. By uniting community colleges, state universities, and private institutions, we ensure that incarcerated learners have access to a wide range of certificates and degree-bearing programs.
Our Academic Partners
Each of our partner institutions brings unique expertise to the correctional environment, offering rigorous coursework that meets the same accreditation standards upheld in our commitment to student success.
UCD PEP. The University of Colorado Denver Prison Education Program (UCD PEP). As a partner in the coalition, CU Denver offers a Certificate in Applied Skills for Democracy. This 30-credit program focuses on communication, ethical leadership, and civic engagement.
-
Facilities Served: Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility (CTCF) and Sterling Correctional Facility (SCF)
-
Contact: Dr. Stephen J. Hartnett, stephen.hartnett@ucdenver.edu
Adams State U. Adams State provides pathways to four-year degrees, specializing in print-based and face-to-face instruction. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration or Interdisciplinary Studies, earning an Associate of Arts degree as they progress toward their degree.
-
Facilities Served: Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility (CTCF), Limon Correctional Facility (LCF), Fremont Correctional Facility (FCF), Four Mile Correctional Facility (FMCC), and Denver Women's Correctional Facility (DWCF).
-
Contact: Jim Bullington, jbullington@adams.edu
PCC. Pueblo Community College (PCC) provides vocational and academic foundations, including an Associate of Arts in Business and specialized Behavioral Health Certificates.
-
Facilities Served: La Vista Women's Correctional Facility (LVCF), Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility (AVCF), Sterling Correctional Facility (SCF), and Buena Vista Correctional Facility (BVCF).
-
Contact: Melanie Thompson, melanie.thompson@pueblocc.edu
Regis. Through a synchronous video-link model, Regis University offers Liberal Arts credits that connect incarcerated students with their peers on the Regis campus for real-time, collaborative learning.
-
Facilities Served: Limon Correctional Facility (LCF).
-
Contact: Erin Trumble, trumb453@regis.edu
Colorado College. Through the Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilities (LACF) initiative, Colorado College provides liberal arts coursework at the Youthful Offender System (YOS), with credits issued through Pueblo Community College.
-
Contact: Dr. Carol Neel, cneel@coloradocollege.edu
Transferability of Credits
To ensure that your credits transfer, students should speak to their program's Academic Advisor to make sure you have your transcripts. Once you know where you are going, either to a new CDOC facility or coming back to our campuses—please reach out to the program directors listed above.
Community Partners
Unbound Authors Offers incarcerated students Writing Center-like support services, empowering learners to feel confident in their argumentation, reasoning, and writing skills. See their website at https://unboundauthors.org, or contact joybellephelan@gmail.com.
Remerg Offers just-released students the support they need to make safe transitions back to our communities. See their website at https://remerg.com, or contact Darren Smith, darren@remerg.com.
Colorado Radio Justice Offers streaming audio content, 24/7, with much of the programming made by incarcerated partners. Tune in at https://www.radioforjustice.org, or contact Ryan Connaro at ryan@radioforjustice.org.
Grapefruit Labs A performance laboratory and creative studio that collaborates with incarcerated artists to create original theatrical work and creative storytelling. Contact: Julie Rada.
Denver University Performing Arts Initiative An initiative focused on utilizing the performing arts as a tool for community building and personal expression within the correctional system. Contact: Kareem El Damanhoury.