Privacy Policy
Thank you for visiting the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE) through our website. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect and use information about you through our websites and through the services we provide (collectively, “CDHE Services”). This Privacy Policy does not apply to certain entities within CDHE, including Colorado Assist/College Opportunity Fund, CollegeInvest, and other sites which have separate websites and privacy policies.
CDHE supports the protection of individual privacy and minimizes the collection of personally identifiable information to the least amount of information required to complete a particular transaction. This policy extends to the collection of all personally identifiable information, regardless of source or medium.
By visiting our website or using CDHE Services, you are consenting to our collection and use of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
How we collect and use information about you
We may collect information about you (“Personal Information”) when you access our website, provide it to us through our website, or use CDHE Services. We do not collect Personal Information from you unless you use CDHE Services that require it. Choosing not to use such services will not affect your ability to use other features of our website.
Personal Information you provide to us
We collect and store Personal Information that you provide when you use CDHE Services. For example, we collect information such as your name, mailing address, Social Security number, and tax information when you use our website to apply for student financial aid. CDHE collects and uses this information to deliver CDHE Services to you, but accessing CDHE Services through our websites is voluntary. We also collect Personal Information you provide to us if you fill out a form related to CDHE Services or sign up to receive communications from us.
Information we collect when you visit our website
When you visit our website, we automatically collect basic information to help us understand how people use our site and to make it work better for you. This may include:
- Your IP address (used to send the website content to your device)
- The device, browser, and operating system you are using
- The pages you visit and how long you stay on them
- Other general session information about how you interact with the site
We use this information to improve our website, make it easier to use, and learn how the public engages with CDHE Services.
We do not use this information to personally identify you.
How we protect your information
We protect your Personal Information in accordance with all applicable state and federal privacy and security laws. For example, we keep student records confidential and only use them for limited purposes in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) which is codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and 34 CFR Part 99.
How we share your information
We share your Personal Information only as needed and in accordance with law with our third-party service providers, business partners, and analytics partners that support CDHE Services and communications.
We may be required to disclose your Personal Information to comply with applicable laws, court orders or other legal processes, to protect the rights of CDHE or individuals, or to otherwise resolve disputes.
CDHE is subject to open records laws
The Colorado Open Records Act (“CORA”), §§ 24-72-201 et seq., C.R.S., provides that all public records shall be open for inspection by any person at reasonable times, except as otherwise provided by law.
CORA applies to the information we collect from you. Unless it is protected by state or federal law, the information you provide to us may become a public record and may be subject to public inspection through a CORA request. This includes information you provide if you submit a CORA request to us. CDHE keeps confidential all information protected by state and federal law when responding to CORA requests.
The Department shall not provide personally identifiable information that is confidential under state or federal law. The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the confidentiality of student’s identifiable information that is maintained in education records and includes direct identifiers, such as a student’s name or identification number, indirect identifiers, such as a student’s date of birth, race/ethnicity, disability status, or other information which can be used to distinguish or trace an individual’s identity either directly or indirectly through linkages with other information. See 34 CFR §99.3.
Please see our CORA webpage for more information.
Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small text files saved on your device that help our website remember your preferences and understand how you use our site. This allows us to improve your experience and make our services easier to use.
We use third‑party cookies, including Google Analytics, to measure how people interact with our website and CDHE Services. These tools help us understand what is working well and where we can make improvements.
Please note that third‑party providers may collect and use information as described in this policy and under their own privacy policies.
Third-party websites
Our website contains links to other websites, including websites operated by other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private businesses. When you link to another website, you leave our site, which means that this Privacy Policy no longer applies.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or services. Any updates will be posted on this page, so you always know how we collect, use, and protect your information.
Contact Information
To offer feedback about our website or this Privacy Policy, please contact:
By Email: questions@dhe.state.co.us
By Telephone: 303-862-3001
By Mail: Colorado Department of Higher Education, 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200, Denver, CO 80202