12 Business Summer Programs for High School Students in Colorado
If you are a high school student in Colorado interested in business, a business summer program in the state can be a great option to consider.
Choosing a local program means you can take advantage of in-state opportunities that are often more accessible, affordable, and tailored to your region’s industries. Colorado has a huge economy with strong sectors in tech, outdoor recreation, energy, and entrepreneurship—so many of its programs reflect real-world business themes tied to these industries. You’ll also have the chance to connect with local professionals, explore regional universities, and learn from mentors who understand the local business environment.
These experiences not only give you a taste of business concepts, but also help you build relationships and insight that could benefit you when applying to Colorado colleges or internships later on.
To help you get started, here we’ve listed 12 business summer programs for high school students in Colorado.
1. University of Colorado Boulder’s Business Leadership Program
Location in Colorado: University of Colorado campus, Boulder
Cost: Free
Dates: June 22 – 28
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students
The Business Leadership Program at the University of Colorado Boulder offers high school students a week-long, case-based experience focused on solving real-world business problems. As a participant, you will work in diverse teams to create a marketing campaign for corporate partners to get some hands-on experience in business strategy, teamwork, and presentation skills. The program offers direct interaction opportunities with Leeds School of Business faculty and staff, along with mentorship. A unique feature of the program is the case competition, where the winning team receives a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. This immersive experience allows you to explore marketing and leadership in a collaborative, high-impact setting.
2. Young Founders Lab
Location: Online
Cost: $2,900 for the team-based session and $3,500 for the individual program | Need-based financial aid is offered to students
Dates: Varying dates | Individual program has a flexible start date, while team-based programs run from June 9 – 29 or August 4 – 24
Application deadline: Early decision deadline: March | Regular admission deadline 1: April | Regular admission deadline 2: May.
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a real-world start-up boot camp founded and run by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work on building a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a real-world problem. You will also have the opportunity to be mentored by established entrepreneurs and professionals from Google, Microsoft, and X. Additionally, you will participate in interactive classes on business fundamentals and business ideations, workshops, skill-building sessions, case studies, panel discussions, and more. The program is an opportunity to explore the world of business in high school and multiple theoretical as well as practical frameworks that contribute to the formation of a successful business. You can check out the application form and the program brochure to know what to expect.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program: Business, Entrepreneurship, & Strategy Track
Location: Remote
Cost: Starts at $2,990 | Financial aid is offered to eligible applicants.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year | Summer: June – August; Fall: September – December; Winter: December – February; Spring: March – June
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring applications close in January, Summer in May, Fall in September, and Winter in November
Eligibility: High school students with high levels of academic achievement; accepted students typically have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program offers research opportunities to high schoolers interested in conducting extensive 1-on-1 research across a broad range of subject areas. You can choose the Business, Entrepreneurship, & Strategy subject area on the application form here to conduct independent research in these fields. The program will pair you with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on your research project. You will also engage in sessions with a writing coach and workshops to understand the research process. At the end of the 12-week program, you will have your research paper!
4. Global Business Academy @ Colorado State University
Location in Colorado: Colorado State University’s College of Business, Fort Collins
Cost: $3,750; scholarships are available.
Dates: July 13 – 23
Application Deadline: June 1 for U.S. applicants; May 15 for international applicants; early deadline: February 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 15 – 18 years old
Global Business Academy at Colorado State University is a 10-day summer program for high schoolers interested in using business to create social impact. During the program, you will stay on campus and engage in interactive business sessions, site visits with local and global executives, and outdoor leadership activities like rafting and ropes courses. The program also includes a startup challenge and case presentations, helping you build skills in entrepreneurship, negotiation, and cross-cultural collaboration. You will also get early exposure to college life, access to CSU faculty, and networking opportunities with peers from around the world. As a participant, you also get to tour companies and interact with global executives.
5. Women in Business Case Competition @ University of Colorado Boulder
Location in Colorado: University of Colorado campus, Boulder
Cost: Free
Dates: June 11 – 13
Application deadline: March 30
Eligibility: High school students
Women in Business Case Competition at the University of Colorado Boulder is a three-day summer opportunity to compete in a case challenge based on issues affecting women in the business world. During the program, you will gain real-world experience, build leadership and analytical skills, and learn how to work collaboratively in teams. The competition encourages critical thinking and highlights the importance of equity in business practices. Winners get a $1,000 scholarship to the Leeds School of Business. This program can give you some insights into business, gender equity, and leadership development.
6. University of Colorado Denver’s GenCyber Summer Camp
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: July 15 – 19
Application deadline: No deadline; rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students in Colorado
CU (University of Colorado) Denver GenCyber Summer Camp is a free, week-long online program offering high school students hands-on exposure to cybersecurity concepts and careers. Hosted by the CU Denver Business School, the camp experience includes participating in interactive sessions on ethical hacking, digital forensics, social engineering, and online safety. Key camp materials, including Raspberry Pi kits, games, and virtual labs, are provided for free. You will receive a Certificate of Achievement upon completion. Supported by the NSA and NSF, this camp can help you get insights into business applications of cybersecurity and digital innovation.
7. Foundation for Teaching Economics (FTE) Economics for Leaders Virtual Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $900 program fee | Scholarships ranging from $100 to $400 are available.
Dates: Multiple four-day sessions available from June to July
Application deadline: April 30
Eligibility: High school students
Economics for Leaders Virtual program is an intensive online summer experience that teaches high school students core economic concepts alongside leadership development. Led by economics professors and leadership experts, the program explores how economic thinking applies to real-world policy issues and business challenges. Here, you will participate in group discussions, simulations, and leadership exercises designed to enhance analytical and decision-making skills. The program offers optional college credit and a highly interactive, intellectually engaging experience from home.
8. Colorado State University Spur’s Venture Validator Summer Camp
Location in Colorado: Colorado State University Spur, Denver
Cost: $75; scholarships available
Dates: June 9 – 13
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students who are 12 – 16 years old and are rising 7th – 10th graders
Venture Validator Summer Camp is a one-week business program designed for students interested in launching their own ventures. Held at the Colorado State University Spur campus, the camp offers you a chance to learn about customer discovery, market research, competitive analysis, prototyping, and pitching business ideas based on real-world problems. You will work in teams to define issues, develop business models, and present solutions by the end of the week. The program can provide you with a strong foundation in entrepreneurship while also introducing you to careers in fields like marketing, supply chain, and innovation management.
9. Colorado State University’s IT in Business
Location in Colorado: CSU College of Business, Fort Collins
Cost: Free
Dates: June 2 – 6
Application deadline: May 11
Eligibility: High school students
IT in Business at Colorado State University is a five-day summer program that introduces high school students to how information technology powers modern business. Taught by CSU College of Business faculty, the program covers the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship through hands-on activities like building apps, programming robots, exploring virtual reality, and working with cybersecurity tools. You will also create data visualizations, experience AI applications, and tour cutting-edge campus tech facilities during the program. The program is designed to help you understand real-world business applications of tech while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital skills. Through this experience, you can get some insights into tech-driven careers in fields like business analytics, systems management, or digital innovation.
10. Colorado Student Leaders Institute (COSLI)
Location in Colorado: University of Colorado Denver campus, Denver
Cost: Largely state-funded; however, you will have to secure a $400 sponsorship from parents, your school, or local donors
Dates: June 23 – July 20
Application deadline: February 29
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 11 in Colorado; Priority given to first-generation and low-income students
Colorado Student Leaders Institute (COSLI) is a state-legislated, month-long residential summer program for high school students, hosted on a university campus in Colorado. You can choose between two academic tracks: International Social Studies or STEAM; either way, you will participate in three interdisciplinary projects, including a Short-Term Business Lab that introduces real-world entrepreneurship and business problem-solving. The program also includes leadership workshops, university lectures, and college-credit coursework. Here, you get the chance to earn three college credits and develop core skills in communication, critical thinking, and innovation.
11. SUMMET @ Colorado School of Mines
Location in Colorado: Colorado School of Mines, Golden
Cost: A $50 confirmation fee to be paid upon acceptance
Dates: June 1 – 6, June 8 – 13, or June 22 – 27
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors; priority given to first-generation college students
The Summer Mines Engineering and Training, or SUMMET, is a one-week residential summer program for students with an interest in engineering, science, and technology. Hosted on the Mines campus in Golden, the program offers you the chance to engage in hands-on projects, STEM-focused curriculum, and a real taste of college life. You will also collaborate on team-based activities, explore innovation-driven challenges, and build essential skills like analytical thinking, communication, and leadership during the program. The program also aims to support first-generation college-bound students by helping them prepare academically and socially for the transition to higher education. While STEM is the core focus, the program emphasizes career readiness and problem-solving, which are foundational to business and entrepreneurship.
12. Colorado State University’s First Generation Business Summit
Location in Colorado: Colorado State University, Fort Collins
Cost: Free to attend; $25 refundable registration fee required upon acceptance
Dates: July 21 – 26
Application deadline: April 21
Eligibility: First-generation college-bound high school students
First Generation Business Summit at Colorado State University is a week-long residential program for high school students interested in exploring business. During the program, you will live on the CSU Fort Collins campus, engage in interactive sessions with faculty, and develop key business and presentation skills. The highlight of the program is a case study competition where you will work in a team to pitch a business idea to a panel of mock investors and get a chance to win prizes. You will also tour local businesses, build peer connections, and gain exposure to CSU’s College of Business and its 10 areas of concentration. This immersive experience can offer you personal growth, academic preparedness, and career exploration opportunities.