DENVER –The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) today announced the inaugural institutions earning the AI Engaged Campus Designation, recognizing Colorado colleges and universities that are taking intentional steps to prepare students, faculty and staff for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. This designation exists to celebrate that work, to guide institutions seeking a roadmap, and to set an aspirational standard for what responsible, student-centered AI engagement looks like in higher education.
“AI is both a big challenge and an opportunity for our colleges and universities. It will be important to prepare Colorado students to use emerging AI technologies, help students responsibly engage with AI, train faculty, and keep Colorado competitive. The Colorado Department of Higher Education is leading in AI readiness to partner with leading universities to harness this powerful technology and help students to better understand emerging technologies when entering the workforce of the future,” said Governor Polis.
Created through the Colorado Higher Education Impact Framework, the designation recognizes institutions that are advancing AI readiness across their campuses through curriculum, faculty development, governance, workforce partnerships, ethical implementation, and institutional operations.
“Colorado is leading the way in how higher education is providing opportunity in a responsible AI economy,” said JB Holston, executive director of CDHE. “Other states are watching how we recognize campuses that adopt these tools responsibly, and today’s designees show what that looks like in practice. We’re proud to celebrate them and eager to see where their work goes next.”
Campuses are evaluated at one of three maturity levels: Emerging, Established or Exemplary, and must demonstrate progress in at least four of the six framework pillars to earn recognition–AI Literacy in the Curriculum, Faculty Preparedness & Development, Institutional AI Policy, Workforce & Community Connection, Equity & Ethics Integration and Institutional AI Integration.
The following institutions have earned the AI-Engaged Campus Designation:
Aims Community College
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado State University Global
Metropolitan State University of Denver
University of Denver
University of Northern Colorado
The designation recognizes that AI readiness is not a one-time achievement, but an ongoing process of innovation, adaptation and continuous improvement. It also provides students, families, employers, accreditors, policymakers and funders with a clear signal that an institution is actively preparing for the future of work and learning.
"Technology is now a determinant of student success and the AI Engaged Campus Designation recognizes the institutions leading that work in Colorado,” said Dr. Gillian McKnight-Tutein, chief educational impact officer at CDHE. “These campuses earned this distinction through a rigorous review, and it tells families, funders and accreditors exactly where their values lie. It also gives every institution a roadmap to keep growing."
By establishing a shared framework for AI readiness, CDHE aims to support continuous improvement across Colorado's higher education system and encourage institutions to build the knowledge, policies and partnerships needed to meet emerging workforce and societal needs.
Learn more about the AI Engaged Campus Designation.