DENVER - Governor Polis celebrated the recipients of the 2026 Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Challenge Awards, recognizing educators, institutions, and programs that are transforming higher education through affordability, access, and innovation. View the Governor’s message.
Originally launched in 2020 by Governor Jared Polis, the ZTC Challenge called on Colorado’s higher education community to expand the use of open educational resources (OER) and eliminate textbook costs for students. Six years later, the 2026 awardees reflect the significant progress made across campuses statewide.
“Textbooks can cost students and families thousands of dollars a year, and eliminating high textbook costs reduces cost barriers to higher education and saves students money. Since 2020 the Zero Textbook Cost Challenge has encouraged colleges and universities across the state to eliminate textbook costs, saving students thousands of dollars. These awards honor leaders who are breaking down barriers by reducing costs for students showing how innovation can improve student success and lower costs,” said Governor Polis
“Six years after launching the ZTC Challenge, we are seeing real results in classrooms and campuses across our state,” said CDHE Executive Director JB Holston. “These leaders are demonstrating what’s possible when we center affordability and innovation in higher education, helping ensure every Colorado student has the opportunity to succeed.”
New this year, CDHE proudly introduces the Open Education Legacy Award, created in recognition of America 250 | Colorado 150. This distinction honors individuals and organizations whose long-term contributions have shaped the future of open education in Colorado.
2026 Recipient: Dr. Emily Ragan, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Dr. Ragan has been a driving force behind Colorado’s OER movement. A founding member of the Colorado OER Council and longtime chair of the MSU Denver OER Task Force, she has led faculty training, grant initiatives, course marking efforts, and statewide advocacy. Under her leadership, MSU Denver students have saved an estimated $10 million in textbook costs (2018–2026). Dr. Ragan has also helped position MSU Denver as a statewide leader in ZTC pathways and played a critical role in advancing Colorado’s open education ecosystem.
“Dr. Ragan’s leadership and vision have helped build a lasting foundation for open education in Colorado,” said Chealsye Bowley, director of open education. “Her strategy for zero textbook cost program growth has inspired institutions and faculty that will have an enduring impact on students across Colorado.”
At the 2026 Colorado OER Conference, held Friday, May 29, 2026, at Arapahoe Community College, 16 categories were recognized through the annual Colorado OER Awards.
- Governor’s Award for Institutional Advancement to ZTC: Arapahoe Community College (ACC)
ACC has embedded OER across all seven academic pathways, offering over 600 OER course sections in Spring 2026. With more than $4 million in student savings, the institution has demonstrated how strategic investment and leadership can drive large-scale affordability and student success initiatives.
- Outstanding ZTC Advocate: Dr. Jonathan Dyhr[MM2] [CB3] , Metropolitan State University of Denver
Chair of the Colorado OER Council, Dr. Dyhr has led course redesign efforts that saved hundreds of students up to $143,000 in a single academic year. His leadership has expanded OER adoption across biology programs and supported ZTC degree development.
- Outstanding ZTC Department: University of Colorado Denver – Department of Mathematics and Statistical Sciences
CU Denver now offers a ZTC bachelor’s degree in mathematics, with an innovative approach to instructional design that has improved student outcomes and inspired similar efforts at institutions statewide.
- Outstanding ZTC Innovation: Carolyn McGary, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Through immersive, narrative-driven OER experiences, McGary has eliminated textbooks in key courses and created interactive learning environments—such as the Intergalactic Facilities Alliance—that engage students in real-world problem-solving.
- Outstanding ZTC Instructor: Brian Healy, Metropolitan State University of Denver
A leader in communications studies, Healy has spearheaded a ZTC pathway, launched faculty learning communities, and helped establish Colorado’s first OER student club, expanding awareness and adoption of open resources.
- Outstanding ZTC Course: MAR 1060 Customer Service, Community College of Denver
This course integrates OER to reduce costs while enhancing applied learning and workforce readiness, demonstrating scalability across institutions.
- Outstanding ZTC Workforce Development: School of Hospitality, Metropolitan State University of Denver
With a focus on a critical sector representing approximately 12% of Colorado’s workforce, the program is advancing ZTC pathways while ensuring students retain access to relevant, up-to-date materials throughout their careers.
- Outstanding ZTC Programs
Certificate: Emergency Medical Technician, Pikes Peak State College
Associate Degree: A.A. Theatre, Red Rocks Community College
Bachelor’s Degree: B.A. Communications Studies, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Graduate Degree: M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines
- Colorado OER Champion: Medora Huseby, Colorado State University
Since 2015, Dr. Huseby has advanced OER through sustained leadership in teaching, institutional change, and national collaboration. She has partnered with the Associated Students of Colorado State University to increase student awareness of OER and has saved students more than $20,000 each semester by using OER in her courses.
- Exceptional OER Team: OER Anatomy Hub, University of Colorado Anschutz
The eight-person team has created the first-of-its-kind, freely accessible repository of high-quality 3D printable anatomical models and instructional guides available to any teacher or learner in the world at no cost. OER anatomy materials have been used in 17 courses across eight Colorado institutions and have been adopted by researchers from Indiana to Australia.
- Exceptional OER Creation: The Biology of Plants Coloring Textbook, Rachel Jabaily and M.G.B. Hurst, Colorado College
A unique, collaborative creation between a faculty member and a student featuring scientifically accurate illustrations that correspond to botany courses.
- Exceptional OER Project: Advanced Social Work Ethics, MSU Department of Social Work and Auraria Library
The project developed a new OER textbook and OER workbook for social work courses. The collaborative authorship process—bringing together faculty, a librarian, an accessibility expert, and a student contributor—strengthened the quality of the resources and developed expertise in OER creation.
- Exceptional OER Partner: Karen Kaemmerling, Colorado Mountain College
Under her leadership and advocacy, faculty and staff have developed a substantial number of OER courses, positioning Colorado Mountain College on a clear path toward a ZTC degree.
- Rising OER Star: Caterina Belle Azzarello, University of Northern Colorado
Azzarello converted PSY120 Introductory Psychology to OER and extends OER impact by teaching a GED-level ESL computer course using openly licensed materials.
All programs were made possible through state OER grant funding and highlight the broad, cross-disciplinary impact of ZTC initiatives.
The 2026 ZTC Challenge Awards underscore Colorado’s commitment to lowering the cost of higher education while improving the student experience. From individual faculty innovation to institution-wide transformation, this year’s honorees illustrate the power of open education to expand opportunity across the state.
Get Involved
In conjunction with the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE), the OER Council hosts events and other professional development opportunities to help others learn about the open education movement in Colorado. Opportunities are communicated in the monthly Colorado OER newsletter.
OER Grant Program
The Colorado OER Grant Program awards funds to public higher education institutions for zero textbook degree development, collaborative partnerships, and other open educational projects.