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 on-campus programs.
University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver PEP) As a lead 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.
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Facilities Served: Territorial (CTCF), Sterling (SCF), Skyline (SCC), Four Mile (FMCC), and Trinidad (TCF).
Adams State University Adams State provides robust 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.
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Facilities Served: CTCF, LCF, FCF, FMCC, and DWCF.
Trinidad State College A pioneer in the Second Chance Pell initiative, Trinidad State offers versatile two-year pathways including an Associate of Science in Technology, an Associate of Arts in Psychology, and an Associate of Arts in General Studies.
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Facilities Served: SCF, LCF, AVCF, TCF, DWCF, LVCF, YOS, and others across the state.
Pueblo Community College Pueblo Community College provides essential vocational and academic foundations, including an Associate of Arts in Business and specialized Behavioral Health Certificates.
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Facilities Served: LVCF, AVCF, SCF, and BVCF.
Regis University Through a unique 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.
Colorado College Through the Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilities (LACF) initiative, Colorado College provides high-level liberal arts coursework at the Youthful Offender System (YOS), with credits officially issued through Pueblo Community College.
Transferability and Credit Mobility
A core goal of C-CHEP is ensuring that "education doesn't stop at the gate." All credits earned through our partner institutions are designed to be transferable among Colorado’s public colleges and universities. This allows students who are transferred between facilities—or those who are released—to continue their educational journey without losing their hard-earned progress.