By 2030, Colorado is projected to be short nearly 2,500 doctors, and low-income citizens are predicted to be disproportionately affected by these shortages. Nurse practitioners will play a key role in helping to close that gap.
In Colorado, nurse practitioners can prescribe medications independently after completing a preceptorship and mentorship with a physician, giving them more freedom to practice than in many other states. Because of this, nurse practitioners not only have a real chance to impact the lives of Coloradans, but they can do it on their terms.
There are plenty of reasons to practice as a nurse practitioner in Colorado. This state offers many networking and professional organizations, like the Colorado Nurses Association, Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence, and the Colorado Society of Advanced Practice Nurses.
Colorado also offers many opportunities at community and rural clinics and large hospital systems. AdventHealth has hospital campuses in Denver, Castlerock, Louisville, Littleton, and Parker. UCHealth has 12 facilities across the state, and the Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center and Aspen Valley Hospital are just two Colorado hospitals serving the rural population.
Whether you prefer city life or adventure in the great outdoors, Colorado offers plenty to keep you busy on your days off. Take a hike in Rocky Mountain National Park, sled at Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, climb Pikes Peak, ski at Aspen or Vail, catch a show at Red Rocks, or take in the sights while enjoying a gourmet meal in a restaurant in downtown Denver.
Nurse practitioners have much to offer Colorado, and the state’s bustling cities and abundant natural wonders make it a great place to live and work. Here are some of the top universities and colleges in the state where you can pursue various nurse practitioner degrees. If you are interested in a specific type of NP program, check out FNP programs, AGNP programs, PNP programs, and DNP programs that are offered in the state.
Program Overview:
Colorado Mesa University was founded in 1925 and now has three campuses. The main campus is in Grand Junction, while the Montrose Campus is a more scenic, community-based location at the base of the San Juan Mountains. The university also has a campus focusing on technical education called CMU Tech. Students enrolled in nurse practitioner programs requiring on-campus visits will have to travel to the main campus to fulfill these requirements. Colorado Mesa University has been rated one of the most affordable online nurse practitioner programs and one of the best online adult-gerontology nurse practitioner (AGNP) programs. It offers three NP options:
Program Overview:
Colorado State University-Pueblo is in the southern part of the state near the Rocky Mountain foothills, just a short drive to Colorado Springs and Denver. The nursing school was established in 1964, but the CSU Pueblo School of Nursing was established in 2017. It aims to serve as a regional nursing education center for Southern Colorado and collaborates with local and regional healthcare agencies in its programs. According to the most recent data, board passing rates for all FNP and AGNP programs range between 76% and 100%. The school offers four NP pathways:
Program Overview:
Colorado Technical University is a private for-profit university based in Colorado Springs. Established as Colorado Technical College in 1965, it initially focused on training former military personnel in vocational and technical subjects. The school gained university status in 1995 and ranked the best for veterans for non-traditional and online universities. CTU offers two NP options:
Program Overview:
Founded in 1877, Regis University is the only Jesuit Catholic University in the Rocky Mountains. The university’s Rueckert-Hartman College for Health Professions is home to its Loretto Heights School of Nursing, billed as one of the top nursing schools in Colorado. It’s been recognized as the best nursing graduate degree school and the best nursing master’s degree school in Colorado. Regis offers four pathways for those wishing to pursue an NP degree:
Program Overview:
Currently part of the University of Colorado system, Anschutz Medical Campus has roots going back to 1883. The College of Nursing opened in 1898 and would change the direction of the profession when it founded the first nurse practitioner school in the county in 1965. The College of Nursing is ranked as the fourteenth best online master’s program in the country and has partnerships with major hospitals in the Denver metro area. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus offers eight different options for those wishing to pursue an NP degree, including:
Program Overview:
The University of Colorado Colorado Springs is part of the University of Colorado System. From 1965 to 1972, this satellite campus operated as the Colorado Spring Center and as a Boulder campus division. In 1974, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs was recognized as a distinct campus, growing from a small commuter campus into a respected university. The Johnson Beth-El College of Nursing and Health Sciences has roots going back to 1904 when it was a small independent nursing school at the back of Pikes Peak. Today, it is ranked as one of the best online master’s programs in the state. Students wishing to pursue an NP degree here have two options:
Program Overview:
Founded as a teacher’s college in 1889, the University of Northern Colorado has grown significantly over the years. Today, it’s a public doctoral research and educational institution offering more than 200 programs. This University was an early adopter of the online education model, starting its first online program more than twenty years ago. The nursing programs are primarily online, but, like more programs in this speciality, they have some on-campus requirements. The University of Northern Colorado offers two pathways for those interested in pursuing an NP degree:
Colorado Christian University
Program Overview:
Colorado Christian University is a private Christian university in Lakewood, just west of Denver. Founded in 1914, CCU has grown from a small Bible college into a fully accredited university with both traditional and online programs. The College of Adult and Graduate Studies offers a CCNE-accredited BSN-to-DNP program with Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) and Adult-Gerontology Primary Care NP (AGPCNP) tracks. Students complete the program primarily online with required clinical placements arranged in their local area.
- BSN to DNP – FNP
- BSN to DNP – AGPCNP
Frequently Asked Questions About NP Programs in Colorado
How many accredited NP programs are in Colorado?
Colorado has eight universities offering CCNE- or ACEN-accredited nurse practitioner programs. These include large research institutions like the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus as well as smaller private schools like Regis University and Colorado Christian University. Programs range from MSN-level FNP and AGNP tracks to doctoral-level DNP options.
Can nurse practitioners practice independently in Colorado?
Yes. Colorado grants NPs full practice authority after they complete a mentorship period. New NP graduates must work under a collaborative agreement with a physician for 1,000 hours. After that, they can prescribe medications and manage patients without physician oversight, which gives Colorado NPs more autonomy than practitioners in many other states.
What NP specializations are available at Colorado schools?
Colorado schools offer several NP specializations including Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), Adult-Gerontology NP (AGNP), Pediatric NP (PNP), Psychiatric-Mental Health NP (PMHNP), and Women’s Health NP. The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus has the widest range of specialty options in the state.
Are there online NP programs based in Colorado?
Several Colorado schools offer NP programs in an online or hybrid format. The University of Northern Colorado, Colorado Christian University, and Colorado Mesa University all have online options where coursework is completed remotely and clinical hours are arranged locally. Colorado Technical University also runs an online MSN-FNP program. These programs allow working nurses to earn their NP credentials without relocating.
Colorado NP Programs at a Glance (2026)
| Quick Fact | 2026 Detail |
|---|---|
| Featured Colorado NP Schools | 8 institutions (full directory below) |
| NP Specialty Tracks Covered | FNP, AGNP, PNP, PMHNP, and DNP entry (varies by school) |
| Practice Authority | Full — Colorado NPs practice autonomously with full prescriptive authority including controlled substances |
| Licensing Board | Colorado State Board of Nursing |
| Typical Program Length | 2–3 years MSN-NP; 3–4 years BSN-to-DNP; 12–24 months post-master’s certificate |
| Required Clinical Hours | 500–750 (MSN); 1,000+ (DNP) — AACN Essentials |
| Colorado NP Mean Annual Wage | $128,400 (BLS OES, May 2024) |
| National NP Growth (2023–33) | +46% — BLS Occupational Outlook |
| Certifying Bodies | AANPCB, ANCC, PNCB |
2026 Updates — What Changed for Colorado NPs
- BLS wage refresh (May 2024 data) — Colorado NP mean annual wage was $128,400. Denver metro (Aurora/Anschutz) leads the state.
- AACN 2025 DNP Position Statement — CCNE-accredited programs continue to align curricula with the 2025 Essentials; DNP-level entry expands.
- Colorado-specific update — Colorado is a full-practice-authority state. CU Anschutz (Aurora) anchors the academic-medical-center DNP pipeline; University of Northern Colorado (Greeley), Regis (Denver), and CU Colorado Springs serve major regional markets.
- WHNP → WHGRNP rebrand — NCC expanded the Women’s Health NP scope to include gender-related care; track currency varies by school.
- 8 Colorado schools tracked — current CCNE/ACEN NP-track institutions verified.
Educational Routes to Becoming a Nurse Practitioner in Colorado
Five distinct routes appear across Colorado’s NP schools. Each suits a different starting credential and timeline. All five satisfy the Colorado State Board of Nursing APRN-certification requirements when paired with national NP certification.
1. MSN-NP (Most Common Route)
Master of Science in Nursing with an NP specialty track. Designed for working RNs with a BSN. Length: 2 to 3 years full-time or 3 to 4 years part-time; 500 to 750 clinical hours. Colorado MSN-NP options are anchored by CU Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Northern Colorado, and Regis. CSU-Pueblo, CU Colorado Springs, Colorado Mesa (Grand Junction), and Colorado Christian (Lakewood) serve regional markets.
2. RN-to-MSN Bridge
For ADN-prepared RNs. Adds 12 to 18 months of BSN-level coursework before the master’s begins. In Colorado, Regis, Colorado Christian, and Colorado Mesa all offer RN-to-MSN bridge pathways into NP tracks. Total time-to-degree typically 3 to 4 years.
3. BSN-to-DNP (Doctoral-Entry NP)
Aligned with the AACN’s 2025 DNP position statement. Combines NP specialty training with doctoral coursework over 3 to 4 years and roughly 1,000 clinical hours. 8 Colorado schools offer a DNP program — see the Colorado DNP programs guide.
4. Post-Master’s Certificate
For nurses who already hold an MSN-NP and want to add a specialty. Length: 12 to 24 months and roughly 500 clinical hours. Colorado post-master’s certificate options are concentrated at CU Anschutz.
5. Accelerated & Direct-Entry
For career changers with a non-nursing bachelor’s. Accelerated BSN (12 to 16 months) then NP master’s or DNP track. Colorado’s flagship direct-entry option is CU Anschutz’s Accelerated BSN-to-DNP pathway. Total time-to-licensure: typically 4 to 5 years.
Fast & Affordable Colorado NP Programs (Editorial Picks)
These editorial picks balance time-to-degree, total program cost, and accreditation. All are CCNE or ACEN accredited and currently enrolling Colorado residents.
Fastest Colorado NP Programs
- Regis University — Online MSN-FNP: Denver Jesuit hybrid with year-round enrollment.
- Colorado Christian University — MSN-FNP: Lakewood hybrid delivery; 5-semester full-time option.
- Colorado Technical University — Online MSN-NP: Colorado Springs online-forward with multiple monthly intakes.
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — Post-Master’s NP Certificate: 12 to 18 months for current MSN holders.
Most Affordable Colorado NP Programs
- Colorado State University-Pueblo — MSN-NP: Public CSU-system tuition; Southern Colorado clinical placements.
- University of Northern Colorado — MSN-NP: Public UNC-Greeley tuition with Northern Colorado clinical network.
- Colorado Mesa University — MSN-FNP: Public Grand Junction tuition; strong Western Slope clinical pipeline.
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs — MSN-NP: Public UCCS tuition; competitive Front Range option.
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — MSN-NP: Public flagship tuition; nationally-ranked nursing school at UCHealth.
Colorado Schools Offering Popular NP Specialties
The matrix below maps Colorado NP-track schools to the two most-published specialty paths — FNP and DNP entry.
Family NP (FNP)
The most common specialty in Colorado. All 8 schools listed on this page offer an FNP track.
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado State University-Pueblo
- Colorado Technical University
- Regis University
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs
- University of Northern Colorado
- Colorado Christian University
BSN-to-DNP and Post-Master’s DNP Programs in Colorado
8 Colorado schools offer a DNP program. See the dedicated Colorado DNP programs guide.
- Colorado State University-Pueblo
- Regis University
- University of Colorado-Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado-Denver Anschutz Medical Campus
- University of Northern Colorado
- Colorado Technical University
- Colorado Mesa University
- Colorado Christian University
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Colorado by City & Region
Colorado’s 8 featured NP schools cluster across four regions: Denver Metro (Anschutz/Aurora + Regis Denver + Colorado Christian), Colorado Springs, Greeley/Northern Colorado, Southern Colorado (Pueblo), and Western Slope (Grand Junction).
Denver Metro
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus — Aurora
- Regis University — Denver
- Colorado Christian University — Lakewood
Colorado Springs
- University of Colorado Colorado Springs — Colorado Springs
- Colorado Technical University — Colorado Springs
Northern Colorado
- University of Northern Colorado — Greeley
Southern Colorado
- Colorado State University-Pueblo — Pueblo
Western Slope
- Colorado Mesa University — Grand Junction
