15 Business Internships for High School Students in Colorado
For students interested in business, internships are a practical way of exploring fields such as marketing, entrepreneurship, finance, management, and operations. They allow you to build real-world experiences, strengthen your resumes, and develop workplace skills that go far beyond what classrooms can offer. By working in a professional environment, you will gain clarity on your interests, learn how businesses operate day-to-day, and improve your confidence, communication, and problem-solving abilities. For college admissions officers and future employers alike, having high school internship experience will show initiative, maturity, and readiness for higher-level responsibility.
What business internships are available for high school students in Colorado?
Colorado offers a wide range of business-focused internships designed specifically for high school students, from paid placements with local companies to structured programs hosted by universities, nonprofits, and government organizations. These opportunities allow you to apply business concepts in real work settings, contribute to projects, and gain insight into how organizations make decisions, manage teams, and serve their markets. Beyond skill-building, business internships in Colorado help you develop professional networks early, often connecting you with mentors, supervisors, and peers who can guide future academic and career choices. For motivated students, these internships offer an accessible and impactful way to begin building a strong business-focused profile while still in high school.
Here are 15 business internships for high school students in Colorado that offer hands-on exposure, mentorship, and professional development.
15 Business Internships for High School Students in Colorado
1. Air Academy Credit Union: The High School Internship Program
Location: Colorado Springs, CO, and surrounding branch locations (Castle Rock, Highlands Ranch, Monument, Parker)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 9 – 17 or July 14 – 22, with continued work during the school year
Application Deadline: Spring (tentative)
Eligibility: Rising 11th-12th graders (16+) enrolled in a qualifying local school district
The High School Internship Program at Air Academy Credit Union provides you with hands-on experience in the financial services industry. As an intern, you will gain exposure to banking products and member services while developing professional skills such as communication, teamwork, and financial literacy. The program begins with a seven-day training session at corporate headquarters, followed by placement at a local branch for continued on-the-job training. During the summer, you may work up to 35 hours per week, with reduced hours during the academic year. You’ll also receive quarterly performance reviews and may earn letters of recommendation and consideration for future employment after graduation. This structured program combines mentorship, practical experience, and community engagement within a member-focused financial institution.
2. Ladder Internships
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies; Financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple cohorts available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies as per cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships provides remote, project-based business internships designed for high school students seeking practical professional experience. The program connects you with startups or organizations to collaborate on structured business projects in areas such as market research, strategy, operations, and marketing. You’ll receive mentorship from industry professionals and engage in regular check-ins to monitor progress. The program emphasizes independent work, accountability, and professional communication skills. Upon completion, you will deliver a final presentation or deliverable summarizing your work. This program is ideal for students looking for flexible, skills-oriented learning opportunities.
3. Denver Youth Employment Program (DYEP)
Location: Various organizations across Denver, CO
Stipend: Up to $2,069
Dates: Year-round and summer opportunities
Application Deadline: Rolling; Varies by partner program
Eligibility: Youth and young adults ages 14-24 living in Denver
Denver’s Youth Workforce Development initiatives will connect you with career exploration, job readiness training, and paid work experiences. Through city staff and trusted partner organizations, you will access internships, summer jobs, and long-term career pathways. Programs focus on building professional skills, confidence, and economic stability rather than short-term employment. You will also benefit from mentorship, workshops, and employer connections across industries, including several local businesses.
4. Growing Grads Summer Internships
Location: Various city departments in Brighton, CO
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8-week summer program
Application Deadline: February 21 – March 1
Eligibility: Students between the ages of 14-21; Must live in Brighton or attend a District 27J school
The Growing Grads Summer Internship Program provides paid, hands-on work experience within the City of Brighton departments. As an intern, you will work alongside city professionals while building essential skills such as communication, adaptability, and problem-solving. Weekly professional development sessions cover topics like personal finance, strengths assessment, and workplace conflict resolution. You will also be expected to create an individualized development plan aligned with your goals. This program is ideal for students seeking early career exposure and structured mentorship.
5. The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship
Location: Various organizations across the U.S., including in Colorado
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8 weeks from May/June
Application Deadline: Early January
Eligibility: High school seniors (18+) pursuing media, entertainment, or tech careers
The Emma Bowen Foundation Summer Internship Program is a highly competitive program that supports around 150 students per year who are interested in pursuing careers in media, business, entertainment, and technology through paid, full-time internships. As a fellow, you will be placed with leading partner companies and gain professional experience, mentorship, and long-term career guidance. You will also join a strong alumni and professional network that extends beyond the summer. This opportunity is ideal for students seeking industry access and career acceleration.
6. The Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Summer Internship Program
Location: Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, Denver, CO
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June 7 – July 25 (internships)
Application Deadline: April 10 (priority); April 17 (final)
Eligibility: High school girls in grades 9-12
The Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Summer Internship Program empowers high school girls through paid internships and career readiness training. As a participant, you will gain real-world experience with community partners while building leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. The program emphasizes confidence, professional growth, and civic impact in a supportive, girl-centered environment. You will work with mentors and peers while strengthening your resume. This experience helps young women explore career pathways and build economic independence.
7. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship
Location: Lockheed Martin Space, Denver, CO
Stipend: Paid
Dates: June – August (9+ weeks)
Application Deadline: November 3 – December 19
Eligibility: High school students (16+) living within commuting distance of a participating facility
The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program offers you hands-on exposure to aerospace, defense, and advanced STEM careers. As an intern, you will work alongside scientists and engineers on real-world projects that shape national and global technology initiatives. The program includes mentorship, professional development workshops, facility tours, and networking opportunities. You will also gain insight into how innovation happens at scale in one of the world’s leading aerospace organizations.
8. Launch Internship Program
Location: Denver, CO (virtual, hybrid, and in-person options)
Stipend: Up to $1,600 for the summer
Dates: Fall, spring, and summer semesters
Application Deadline: Rolling; Varies by cohort
Eligibility: Denver Public Schools high school students at participating schools
The DPS Launch Internship Program connects you with professional internships aligned to high-demand career fields. As a participant, you will gain hands-on experience while earning school credit and receiving ongoing coaching from Career Navigators. Internships range from part-time during the school year to intensive summer placements. The program includes professionalism training, case management support, and financial stipends. Launch helps you build workplace skills, career clarity, and confidence before graduation.
9. Colorado College – Summer Pre-College Program: Business and Economics
Location: Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO
Cost: $7,250; Financial aid offered
Dates: July 13 – 29
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Colorado College’s Pre-College Program offers an in-depth introduction to business and economics through courses like EC 110: Business and Economics. This program explores the complex challenges managers and entrepreneurs face in a fast-paced environment, going beyond the basics of planning, organizing, and reporting. As a participant, you will gain critical insights into decision-making, problem-solving, and leadership in real-world business contexts. Each course awards 0.75 college credits, which can be transferred to other universities.
10. CSU Venture Validator Summer Camp
Location: Online
Cost: Free
Dates: Varies by cohorts (multiple in a year)
Application Deadline: Typically, the end of May
Eligibility: Colorado high school students
The Venture Validator Summer Camp is an interactive, week-long program that immerses you in entrepreneurship and problem-solving. As a participant, you will tackle real-world challenges and brainstorm appropriate solutions. You’ll also get to learn design thinking and build skills in market research, customer discovery, and business model development. The camp combines games, simulations, and collaborative activities to teach practical business principles while fostering creativity and critical thinking. By the end of the program, you will gain hands-on experience pitching ideas, prototyping products, and analyzing competitors, preparing you for potential careers in marketing, innovation, and business management.
11. CSU Global Business Academy
Location: CSU College of Business, Fort Collins, CO
Cost: $3,750; Scholarships available
Dates: July 12 – 22
Application Deadline: February 1 (early); May 1 (regular)
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18
The Global Business Academy at CSU is a 10-day intensive program designed for aspiring student entrepreneurs. Through interactive workshops, team-building exercises, and sessions with industry professionals, you will gain insights into business operations, leadership, and entrepreneurship. You will also tackle real-world challenges, develop practical solutions, and enhance your soft skills, preparing yourself for future business opportunities. By the end of the program, you will leave with valuable knowledge, a global network of peers, and the confidence to pursue entrepreneurial goals in college and beyond.
12. University of Colorado Boulder: Business Leadership Program
Location: University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO
Cost: Free
Dates: June 21 – 27
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school juniors residing in Colorado, with priority for students from underrepresented, low-income, or first-generation college backgrounds
The Business Leadership Program at CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business is a fully-funded, one-week summer program that immerses you in real-world business challenges. As a participant, you will work in teams to tackle case studies and design marketing campaigns, applying problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership skills. The team with the most innovative solution earns a $1,000 scholarship to the University of Colorado Leeds School of Business. This program is specifically aimed at students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds, as well as those who would be the first in their families to attend college.
13. Rice University Pre-College Program – Entrepreneurship: From Ideas to Impact in Fintech
Location: Online
Cost: $1,795; Financial aid offered
Dates: Multiple sessions in a year
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: Students aged 13 and above
This online pre-college course from Rice University introduces you to entrepreneurship through the lens of financial technology. The curriculum explores key fintech areas such as blockchain, digital payments, and cryptocurrencies, while examining real-world case studies of platforms like PayPal and Venmo. You will learn how innovation disrupts traditional markets and reshapes consumer behaviour through emerging financial tools. Designed for flexibility, the course allows you to progress at your own pace while building a strong understanding of fintech-driven business models. You will also receive guided support from mentors and conclude the program by developing a capstone business idea rooted in fintech innovation.
14. Young Founders Lab
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies according to cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The Young Founder’s Lab is a start-up boot camp founded and led by Harvard entrepreneurs. In this program, you will work toward developing a revenue-generating start-up that addresses a complex challenge. Additionally, there will be opportunities for mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and professionals from organizations such as Google, Microsoft, and X. Beyond building the start-up, you will engage in interactive sessions on business fundamentals, ideation, workshops, skill-building activities, case studies, panel discussions, and more. This program offers an excellent opportunity to explore the world of business and gain exposure to both theoretical and practical frameworks essential for success. You can view the program brochure here. While it is not a traditional internship, it closely follows a work-learn model.
15. CSU IT in Business Summer Program
Location: CSU College of Business, Fort Collins, CO
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Dates: Five days in the summer
Application Deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students interested in technology and business
The IT in Business summer program at Colorado State University College of Business introduces you to the growing role of technology in modern organizations. Led by faculty from the Computer Information Systems department, the five-day experience combines interactive learning with real-world business applications. As a participant, you’ll engage in hands-on activities such as developing a simple app, programming and working with robots, exploring cybersecurity concepts, creating data visualizations, and experimenting with emerging technologies like virtual reality and artificial intelligence. You’ll also gain exposure to campus resources and technology labs. Designed to spark interest in technology-driven careers, the program helps you better understand how innovation shapes today’s business landscape within the broader community of Colorado State University.
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