DENVER – September 30, 2025: The Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) announced today that the Open Educational Resources Council will embark on an OER roadshow to higher education institutions across the state over the next several months. OER are no-cost educational materials that permit free re-use, remixing and sharing. Colorado students have saved more than $70 million in textbook costs since 2019 as a result of Colorado’s OER program.
The roadshow kicks off in October with a tour of rural institutions. The free traveling mini conference provides training on open educational resources, copyright, zero textbook cost degrees and guidance on implementing a robust institutional OER program. The roadshow is free to attend and open to all staff, students and members of the campus community.
“In rural Colorado, OER removes barriers for students and empowers faculty to teach with creativity and flexibility,“ said Nicholas Swails, vice chair of the OER council and dean of academic affairs and online learning for Colorado Northwestern Community College. “The OER Roadshow brings hope and momentum, reminding us of what’s possible when we invest in equity statewide.”
Roadshow stops feature speakers from successful OER projects, including University of Colorado’s zero textbook cost nursing degree and Colorado Northwestern Community College’s zero textbook cost associates of arts and sciences degrees. Governor Polis recognized both achievements in the 2025 Governor’s Z Awards and called all Colorado institutions to join the zero textbook cost challenge.
Preliminary Schedule:
- Wednesday, Oct. 1
Adams State University, 1701 First St, Alamosa, CO 81101, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration - Monday, Oct. 13
Western Colorado University, 1 Western Way, Gunnison, CO 81231, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration - Tuesday, Oct. 14
Colorado Mountain College Breckenridge, 107 Denison Placer Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration - Wednesday, Oct. 15
Colorado Mountain College Spring Valley, 3000 County Road 114, Glenwood Springs, CO 81601, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration - Friday, Oct. 17
Morgan Community College with Northeastern Junior College, 920 Barlow Rd, Fort Morgan, CO 80701, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Registration - Friday, Feb. 20
Trinidad State College, 600 Prospect St, Trinidad, CO 81082, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration - Friday, Feb. 27
Otero College, 1802 Colorado Ave, La Junta, CO 81050, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Registration
The listed locations are the first stops as part of a larger tour, with more dates to come. Interested institutions may contact OER@dhe.state.co.us to schedule a roadshow stop. If you are a member of the media and interested in participating, please contact Megan McDermott. For more information, visit: https://cdhe.colorado.gov/open-educational-resources-in-colorado.
About the Colorado Department of Higher Education
Working with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, we support students, advocate, and develop policies to maximize higher education opportunities for all. The Department believes every Coloradan should have an education beyond high school to pursue their dreams and improve our communities.
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