Our Vision

Building Colorado’s
innovation ecosystem.

The Colorado Impact Challenge is more than a project —
it’s a platform for connecting talent, organizations, and communities
around the challenges that matter most.

The Opportunity

Talent, organizations, and communities — rarely in the same room.

A challenge-driven innovation platform connecting talent, organizations, and communities to solve real-world problems.

Organizations

Face increasingly complex challenges that outpace internal capacity.

Students

Are seeking meaningful real-world experiences beyond the classroom.

Universities

Are looking to strengthen connections between education, industry, and community impact.

Yet These Groups

Rarely come together around shared problems in ways that generate actionable outcomes.

The Colorado Impact Challenge brings these groups together
to turn challenges into real solutions.

What Is the Colorado Impact Challenge?

A platform where
pressing challenges meet
fresh problem-solvers.

The Colorado Impact Challenge connects organizations with interdisciplinary student teams from multiple universities to solve meaningful real-world problems — through a structured, supported, time-bound process. A statewide innovation event co-hosted by the University of Colorado Boulder and the Colorado School of Mines.

Challenge-Driven Innovation

Organizations bring forward their most pressing challenges for student teams to solve.

  • Real-world challenges
  • Partner engagement
  • Applied problem solving

Interdisciplinary Teams

Students from multiple disciplines collaborate, bringing diverse skills and perspectives.

  • Multiple disciplines
  • Diverse perspectives
  • Collaborative execution

Structured Innovation Sprint

A structured, time-bound process that guides teams from challenge to solution.

  • Time-bound
  • Guided process
  • Implementation-ready solutions
Why It Matters for Colorado

A connected ecosystem.
A stronger state.

The Colorado Impact Challenge is more than a project — it's a platform for connecting talent, organizations, and communities around the challenges that matter most.

StudentsCurious, motivated problem solvers
UniversitiesKnowledge, research, and talent development
IndustryReal-world challenges, expertise, and resources
CommunitiesLocal needs, insights, and impact
Innovation capacity
Workforce development
Industry–university collaboration
Entrepreneurship
Community problem solving
Economic competitiveness

"By transforming real problems into real solutions,
CIC helps build a stronger, more innovative,
and more resilient Colorado."

Be Part of It

The next chapter starts Oct 20, 2026.

Join as a student, bring a challenge as a partner, or connect your university to the platform.

Partner With Us Join as a Student