The HOPE Institute is a week-long free camp held during the month of July at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and CU Anschutz.
Students invited to this camp will receive a variety of experiences, helping them take their first steps in discovering a career in the health professionals industry.
We're Hiring!
Colorado AHEC is hiring paid Counselors and Anatomy Instructors for the 2026 HOPE Institute.
For More Info and to Apply
Now open:
The 2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute application!
2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must be under 18 years old by August 1, 2026.
- Applicants must be high school students.
- Students who have completed 3 or more 2025-26 COAHEC HOPE Program sessions will have a higher likelihood of acceptance into the 2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute.
2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute Important dates:
- 2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute Application Deadline: May 15, 2026
- Notification Date: May 27, 2026
- Students and their parent or guardian will be notified if the student is accepted, waitlisted, or not selected for the 2026 COAHEC HOPE Institute.
- Accepted Student Registration Deadline: June 12, 2026
- Accepted students must complete registration forms with their parent or guardian (sent after May 27) to confirm participation.
- Accepted students who do not complete registration by this date will not be able to participate.
Camp Logistics
Unless prior arrangements have been made with the student's Colorado AHEC Regional office, all students must be checked in and checked out at UCCS by a parent or guardian. Prior arrangements require approval from the student’s Colorado AHEC Regional Coordinator, Director, and Colorado AHEC Program Office.
- Drop-Off:
- Date: July 26, 2026
- Time: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
- Location: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Must be completed by a parent or guardian
- Pick-Up:
- Date: August 1, 2026
- Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Location: University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- Must be completed by a parent or guardian
Don't miss this opportunity to broaden your skills and knowledge!
Students, Apply Now!
Experiences include:
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Hands-on workshops involving suturing labs, personal statement building, and Neuroanatomy.
Laboratory experiences with the CU Anschutz School of Pharmacy.
Presentations from UCCS and CU Anschutz faculty, staff, and students on their professions, their healthcare career journeys, and what it takes to get there. And more!
Healthcare simulations with live actors, SimMan® 3G and Gaumard Manikins.
SimMan® 3G: A high-fidelity adult patient simulator used for realistic medical training, allowing learners to practice assessment, emergency response, airway management, CPR, and team-based clinical scenarios. Gaumard Manikins: A broad line of medical simulators (adult, pediatric, obstetric, and neonatal) used to train healthcare learners in clinical skills, patient assessment, and realistic care scenarios.