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, private institutions, and community partners, we ensure that incarcerated learners have access to a wide range of certificates and degree-bearing programs.
Academic Partners
Each of our partner institutions brings unique expertise to the correctional environment, offering rigorous coursework that meets the same accreditation standards upheld on our campuses.
University of Colorado Denver Prison Education Program (University of Colorado Denver)
The University of Colorado Denver Prison Education Program 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
Website: https://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/schools-institutes/college-of-liberal-arts-and-sciences/prison-education-program
Adams State University
Adams State University 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
Website: https://www.adams.edu
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo Community College 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
Website: https://www.pueblocc.edu
Regis University
Through a synchronous video-link model, Regis University offers Liberal Arts credits that connect incarcerated students with their peers on campus for real-time, collaborative learning.
Facilities Served: Limon Correctional Facility (LCF)
Contact: Erin Trumble
Website: https://www.regis.edu
Colorado College
Through the Liberal Arts in Correctional Facilities initiative, Colorado College provides liberal arts coursework at the Youthful Offender System (YOS), with credits issued through Pueblo Community College.
Contact: Dr. Carol Neel
Website: https://www.coloradocollege.edu
Colorado State University Pueblo
Colorado State University Pueblo supports access to higher education pathways for incarcerated learners through collaborative programming with CDOC facilities.
Website: https://www.csupueblo.edu
Transferability of Credits
To ensure that your credits transfer, students should speak with their program’s academic advisor to ensure access to official transcripts. Once you know where you are going, either to a new CDOC facility or returning to a campus, please reach out to the program directors listed above. Credits are designed to transfer across partner institutions to support educational continuity.
Community Partners
Unbound Authors
Offers incarcerated students writing center-style support services, strengthening argumentation, reasoning, and writing skills.
Website: https://unboundauthors.org
Remerg
Offers recently released individuals support for safe and successful community reentry.
Website: https://remerg.com
Contact: Darren Smith
Colorado Radio Justice
Offers 24/7 streaming audio programming, much of it created by incarcerated collaborators.
Website: https://www.radioforjustice.org
Contact: Ryan Connaro
Grapefruit Labs
A performance laboratory and creative studio collaborating with incarcerated artists to produce original theatrical work and storytelling projects.
Contact: Julie Rada
University of Denver Performing Arts Initiative
An initiative focused on using the performing arts as a tool for education, expression, and community building within correctional settings.
Website: https://www.du.edu
Contact: Kareem El Damanhoury
Breakthrough
A reentry and education support partner working in collaboration with C-CHEP stakeholders.
Contact: Manuel Sisneros / Stacy Putka
State Government Partners
Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) — https://cdoc.colorado.gov
Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) — https://cdhe.colorado.gov
Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) — https://cdle.colorado.gov