14 Internships for High School Students in Denver, Colorado
If you’re a high school student in Denver, you’re in a great spot to explore internships that can help you build skills and figure out what careers interest you most. Denver is home to a growing mix of industries—from tech and healthcare to media, politics, and the arts—which means you’ll find opportunities in all kinds of fields. Being in a major city also gives you access to organizations that value fresh perspectives and want to support the next generation of talent.
Local internships don’t just give you experience to list on college or job applications—they let you work alongside professionals in your own community, learn workplace skills early, and start building a network close to home. Whether you’re drawn to research labs, creative studios, government offices, or nonprofit work, Denver offers plenty of ways to get started.
In this piece, we’ve included 14 internships for high school students in Denver, Colorado.
1. Denver Health High School Internship Medical Career Collaborative
Location: Denver, Colorado (Children’s Hospital Colorado and Denver Health)
Cost/Stipend: Free to participate; includes a paid 100–120-hour internship
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 14% acceptance rate; 75 students selected from 525+ applicants
Program Dates: Junior year to senior year; internships occur in either winter (Nov–Feb) or summer (June–July) of junior year
Application Deadline: Varies annually; typically closes in February
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores from the Denver metro and Colorado Springs areas
As a participant in the MC² program, you’ll start during your junior year and continue through senior year. You will explore health careers through hands-on experience and direct mentorship. You’ll complete a paid internship at either Children’s Colorado or Denver Health, working alongside professionals like nurses, physicians, public health experts, and lab technicians. The program includes seminars on medical terminology, college prep support, and access to health-related certifications. You'll also attend monthly workshops, field trips, and career readiness sessions. MC² provides long-term support even after graduation through networking, coaching, and development resources to help you succeed in a healthcare career.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Starts at $2,990; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective; specific cohort size not publicly disclosed
Program Dates: Multiple 8–12 week cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter); Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Rolling; deadlines vary by cohort (January, May, September, November)
Eligibility: Open to high school, gap year, and college students; must commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder Internships connects you with global startups and nonprofits for a remote, project-based internship experience tailored to your interests. Whether you're into AI, health tech, journalism, or consulting, you'll get placed with a startup raising significant funding and work on meaningful projects that meet real business needs. You’ll collaborate with a company manager and receive guidance from a dedicated Ladder Coach as you build practical skills and present your final work. The program runs year-round with multiple cohort options to fit your schedule.
3. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA centers across the U.S.; some virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid; typically $2,000–$3,000 depending on location and duration
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed; highly competitive
Program Dates: Varies by center; most internships run 8–10 weeks in summer, with fall and spring terms also available
Application Deadline: Spring: September | Summer: February | Fall: May
Eligibility: U.S. citizens only; must be at least 16 years old, enrolled in high school (usually juniors/seniors), with a minimum 3.0 GPA
NASA’s OSTEM Internship Program gives high school students a front-row seat to the agency’s cutting-edge research and missions. Whether you're helping analyze satellite data, working on energy systems, or exploring AI applications, you'll contribute to real NASA projects under the mentorship of professional scientists and engineers. Internships are available both in-person and online, with flexible part-time or full-time options. You'll also take part in professional development sessions and workshops, gaining insight into careers in space science, engineering, and research.
4. Bank of America Student Leaders Program
Location: Local nonprofit placements across the U.S. + one-week summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by location); travel, lodging, and meals for summit are fully covered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: ~300 students selected nationwide
Program Dates: June–August (8 weeks total, including summit)
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors and seniors; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
As a Bank of America Student Leader, you’ll spend the summer gaining real-world work experience at a local nonprofit organization. You will also build key skills in leadership, teamwork, and civic engagement. Over eight weeks, you’ll contribute to meaningful community projects and learn how nonprofits operate from the inside out. The experience culminates in a week-long summit in Washington, D.C., where you’ll join peers from across the country for leadership training, policy discussions, and networking with public and private sector leaders.
5. Careers on the Radar – Denver International Airport (DEN) Internship Program
Location: Denver International Airport (DEN), Colorado
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount varies by position and duration)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by year; selective application process
Program Dates: Starts in June; internships run for 10 weeks, 6 months, or 1 year, depending on role
Application Deadline: Positions typically posted in February
Eligibility: Open to high school and college students interested in aviation careers
Denver International Airport’s Careers on the Radar internship program offers you the chance to explore the aviation industry through hands-on work experience, professional development workshops, facility tours, and a final capstone project. Whether you're curious about airport operations, engineering, public safety, or customer service, this program gives you access to real-world roles that align with your academic interests. Internships are designed to be impactful and inclusive, with a focus on building a diverse future workforce. Depending on your role, internships may last 10 weeks or extend up to a year, with potential for conversion into long-term opportunities.
6. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship
Location: Denver, CO (and other select cities including Sunnyvale, CA; Cape Canaveral, FL; King of Prussia, PA; Huntsville, AL; Herndon, VA)
Cost/Stipend: Paid (amount not publicly specified)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; exact acceptance rate not disclosed
Program Dates: June–August (9+ weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in October and close in January
Eligibility: Must be 16+ years old, currently enrolled in high school, and live near a participating Lockheed Martin Space site
The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship gives you a front-row seat to the future of aerospace and defense technology. Over nine weeks, you'll work alongside engineers and scientists tackling real projects that shape space exploration and national security. From hands-on training and facility tours to mentoring and networking events, the program is designed to support your growth and fuel your passion for STEM. You’ll also engage in community service and professional development activities while gaining a deep understanding of what it means to work in one of the nation’s top aerospace companies.
7. University of Colorado High School Pathway Programs
Location: University of Colorado Denver & Anschutz Medical Campus
Cost/Stipend: Varies by program; many are free or offer financial support
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies (some programs select 5–10 students annually)
Program Dates: Year-round and summer options available
Application Deadline: Varies by program
Eligibility: High school students in Colorado (some programs limited to seniors entering college)
The University of Colorado offers several competitive pathways and enrichment programs for Colorado high school students interested in health, medicine, and STEM. From early college courses through the CU Denver Scholars Program to summer STEM camps like BOLT, these opportunities help you explore future careers while earning credit or gaining hands-on experience. Select programs, such as the BA/BS-MD and BA/BS-DDS, offer pathways into professional schools for a small cohort of incoming freshmen.
8. Teen Science Scholar – Denver Museum of Nature & Science
Location: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Colorado
Stipend: $1,751
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly selective; ~10 students per session
Program Dates: Session 1: June 4 – June 27; Session 2: July 9 – August 1
Application Deadline: typically opens early spring
Eligibility: Colorado high school sophomores or juniors (2024–2025 school year), ages 14–17; priority given to students from underserved or underrepresented backgrounds
The Teen Science Scholars (TSS) program offers immersive summer internships for high school students to conduct real scientific work alongside professionals at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. You can participate in one of several specialized tracks, such as paleontology field expeditions, zoological and archival collections, or insect ecology with DNA analysis. The experience combines hands-on scientific research with professional development activities such as public speaking, college prep, and career exploration. Each scholar completes the program with a public showcase presentation and valuable mentorship from museum staff across STEM fields.
9. Summer Science Scholars – MSU Denver
Location: In-person at Auraria Campus, Denver, CO
Stipend: $500
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective
Program Dates: June 9 – June 20
Application Deadline: April 15
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (rising 11th and 12th graders)
This two-week summer program is hosted by MSU Denver’s Center for Advanced STEM Education in collaboration with the Community College of Denver. It introduces you to STEM research through hands-on, inquiry-driven projects focused on water and the environment. You’ll explore how math and science intersect with real-world challenges while developing your critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities. Daily sessions include lab work, research development, and discussions about STEM careers and the college application process. At the end of the program, you'll present your final project to a live audience of peers, teachers, and family.
10. MSU Denver's Earn and Learn Program
Location: Various off-campus internship sites (remote and in-person options available)
Cost/Stipend: Funded; $19/hour for up to 150 hours per semester
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified; open to selected MSU Denver students based on financial need
Program Dates: Fall, Spring, and Summer terms
Application Deadline: Varies by term
Eligibility: Degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate students at MSU Denver; must demonstrate financial need and have an unpaid internship secured
MSU Denver’s Earn and Learn Program offers financial support to students pursuing unpaid, off-campus internships. You’ll be gaining experience in fields such as law, government, public policy, and nonprofit work. Past placements have included the U.S. House of Representatives, Colorado State Legislature, political campaigns, and city agencies. In addition to earning while you learn, you’ll gain access to career readiness resources and professional development support tailored to first-generation and diverse student cohorts.
11. Art + Action Lab Teen Internship
Location: In person (likely Denver-based arts institutions and studios)
Stipend: $300
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 9 – August 5
Application Deadline: May 12
Eligibility: High school students (grades 9–12); no artistic experience or portfolio required
The Art + Action Lab is a four-week paid internship for high school students curious about creative careers. As a participant, you'll collaborate with peers and professional artists, gain real-world exposure to careers in the arts, and go behind the scenes at local art institutions. Interns take part in hands-on projects, field trips, guest artist sessions, and community-building workshops. The focus isn’t on prior artistic skill but on curiosity, collaboration, and engagement. Through both group and individual mentoring, you'll explore how to turn your creative interests into future opportunities.
12. Stanford Center for AI in Medicine & Imaging (AIMI) Summer Research Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $40 application fee; $850 program fee; financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: 25 students selected
Program Dates: June 16 – 27
Application Deadline: February 28
Eligibility: High school students entering grades 9–12 in Fall
This two-week online internship offers a deep dive into how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of healthcare. You’ll join a small cohort of peers to attend technical lectures, complete research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford students and researchers. Alongside academic sessions, the program includes virtual social activities and career-focused talks from experts across academia, industry, and government. Students who complete the program receive a Certificate of Completion, with the option to pursue extended independent research afterward.
13. Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation Media Internships
Location: Denver, CO
Cost/Stipend: Free; some internships may include stipends
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by opportunity
Program Dates: Varies; typically summer or during the academic year
Application Deadline: Rolling or announced per session
Eligibility: Middle and high school students in the Denver metro area
The Urban Spectrum Youth Foundation offers journalism-focused workshops and internships for students interested in media, storytelling, and civic engagement. You’ll gain experience in areas such as reporting, photography, editing, social media, and media ethics while working with local professionals and community leaders. Past offerings have included multi-week summer sessions, individual internships, and seminars designed to help students develop strong communication skills and explore media-related careers.
14. Teen Studio Night
Location: Denver, CO
Cost/Stipend: Low-cost; dinner included each Friday
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Open enrollment; limited space
Program Dates: Every Friday, 5:30–8:30 PM (ongoing)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students interested in visual arts
Teen Studio Night is a weekly open studio program designed for high schoolers who want to develop their creative voice and artistic skills beyond the classroom. You’ll explore 2D art, ceramics, fiber arts, and printmaking with the support of professional artists and peers in a collaborative studio environment. The program emphasizes both technical development and conceptual thinking, offering demos, one-on-one feedback, and community discussions. Whether you're working on personal projects or experimenting with new media, TSN provides the space, materials, and mentorship to grow as an artist—plus, dinner is served every Friday.
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