15 Software Internships for High School Students in Colorado

Software internships, in particular, offer early experience with coding, data analysis, and technical problem-solving across a range of industries. In Colorado, you can find a diverse set of software-related internships. Some programs focus on scientific research, where you may use computational tools to analyze data in areas like space science, biology, or engineering. Others are based in government or industry settings, offering exposure to IT operations, data management, and digital systems that support real-world services. You’ll come across opportunities in museums, nonprofits, and corporate environments where software skills are applied to communication, data science, or technical projects. 

Why should I do a software internship in high school?

Students interested in computer science or software engineering should consider internships to gain hands-on exposure and strengthen their academic profile. You may get to work with programming languages, analyze datasets, support IT systems, or contribute to research projects, depending on the internship. These experiences can make your college applications more competitive by showing initiative, technical interest, and the ability to apply classroom knowledge in real-world settings. These experiences can also help you make more informed decisions about pursuing software-related majors or careers.

To help you navigate these options, we’ve curated a list of 15 software internships for high school students in Colorado that offer structured learning, mentorship, and meaningful project experience.

If you want to see what other technology internships are available in other states, find a list of technology internships in North Carolina here & Washington here.

1. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Summer High School Internship Program (SHIP)

Location: NIST campus in Boulder, CO
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~4%; cohort size not specified
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 26 
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0/4.0;  U.S. citizens; have a permanent residence within a 50-mile radius of their host campus

NIST’s Summer High School Internship Program places students in a 7-week, full-time research internship at NIST laboratories in Boulder, Colorado. You will work closely with scientists and engineers on an individual research project, which may involve areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, data analysis, or computational modeling, depending on your lab placement. Daily work will typically include programming, analyzing datasets, or contributing to technical research tasks in specialized lab environments like the Information Technology Laboratory. The program emphasizes structured mentorship, with students receiving guidance from professional researchers as they develop and manage their projects. The program offers direct exposure to applied research and technical problem-solving in a professional setting.

2. Ladder Internship Program

Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; 70–100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks; open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!

Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, software engineering, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long. Apply now!

3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Location: AFRL sites across the U.S., including Colorado
Stipend: $506.80/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies by year, location, and project funding
Dates: Year–round, including in the summer, fall, and spring
Application Deadline: Summer: Typically early to mid-January; Fall/Spring: Vary depending on the specific site and project
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing; required minimum GPA is 3.0/4.0; U.S. citizens; at least 16 years

The AFRL Scholars Program introduces high school and college students to advanced research and development through a structured, hands-on internship experience. You will collaborate with AFRL professionals on active projects, contributing to the design and development of technologies that support real-world defense applications. Students may get to work across a range of software-focused areas, including spacecraft mission planning systems, machine learning reliability analysis, and open-source data acquisition software. Throughout the program, you may gain experience in programming, software tool development, and machine learning techniques, while applying computational methods to solve complex technical challenges. Along the way, you will build a strong foundation in applied software engineering and scientific computing.

4. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship

Location: Several locations across the U.S., including Denver, CO
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 5–15 students per facility
Dates: 9–10 weeks, typically running from June through August
Application Deadline: January
Eligibility: Students who are currently enrolled at a local high school and live within a commutable distance from a participating Lockheed Martin facility; at least 16 years old 

The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship provides students with direct exposure to aerospace and defense technology through a structured, full-time summer experience. Over 9+ weeks, you will work alongside engineers and technical teams to support projects involving software systems, digital tools, and operational workflows that contribute to large-scale space and defense initiatives. Students will get to collaborate with professionals across departments, assisting with programming tasks, system testing, and engineering support activities, depending on their placement. In addition to project work, the program also includes company-wide events such as networking sessions and career development workshops, offering insight into professional pathways in the aerospace industry.

5. CS@Mines High School Summer Internships

Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO (remote options also available)
Cost/Stipend: Computing For Good (C4G) internships cost $200/student /Internships are typically unpaid; some internships may come with scholarships of $20/hour 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; around 30–40 C4G internships are available in addition to around 2–4 Research and DECTech internships
Dates: June 22 – July 28 (C4G internships); research internships are 10-weeks long, typically starting in late May and ending in August (you can decide on the exact dates with your faculty advisor)
Application Deadline: April 10 
Eligibility: High school and community college students 

The CS@Mines High School Summer Internships provide students with multiple pathways to explore computer science through research, project-based work, and outreach activities. You may work as a research intern, assisting faculty on projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, or cybersecurity, contributing to ongoing technical work under direct supervision. Alternatively, the C4G program offers a 5-week team-based coding experience with a flexible 5–10 hour weekly commitment, where you’ll build a software project and attend guest sessions from professionals in industry and academia. The program emphasizes hands-on technical work, collaboration with mentors, and exposure to real research or development environments.

6. CareerWise Colorado Modern Youth Apprenticeship — Information Technology pathway

Location: Colorado
Stipend: Paid hourly, exact amount varies by employer partner
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selectivity varies by employer partner; approximately 1,200 total statewide participants across all pathways
Dates: 2–4 year duration (typically year-round concurrent with the school schedule)
Application Deadline: Varies by specific employer opening on the CareerWise hub
Eligibility: Enrolled in a participating Colorado high school district; able to commute to an employer partner site during the school week; able to commit 12 to 40 hours per week depending on the apprenticeship year

Through the CareerWise Colorado Information Technology pathway, you will gain hands-on professional experience as a paid apprentice while still in high school. You will split your time between traditional coursework and a real tech workplace. Depending on your specific employer match, you will take on progressive responsibilities in software development, database administration, or IT support. Your daily workplace responsibilities will include writing and testing code, analyzing data processing systems, and providing technical support for digital tools. You will collaborate directly with experienced mentors to build practical technical skills in your chosen software discipline. Along the way, you will earn a steady wage and potentially secure industry-recognized credentials or guaranteed transfer of college credits.

7. Academy School District 20 – IT Summer Internship (Students Only)

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Stipend: Paid minimum wage hourly
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited cohort size
Dates: June 1 – July 31
Application Deadline: May 15
Eligibility: Ages 16–18; currently enrolled as a District 20 student; pass a tech competency exam and interview

In this internship, you gain practical workplace experience by supporting the district's digital systems and educational technology infrastructure. You navigate technology-enabled workflows and perform assigned technical activities under the direction of administrative staff. During your daily shifts, you utilize foundational IT skills to handle digital tools securely and assist students in designated areas. Throughout the program, you collaborate with administrators and engage with workplace technologies while applying your understanding of strict data privacy laws. You also cultivate essential professional skills, including time management, problem-solving, and priority setting, while operating standard computer systems. This hands-on IT role builds a strong technical and professional foundation for your future career.

8. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) – Virtual Internships

Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; specific cohort size not published
Dates: June – July 21 (exact dates vary by project); SEES distance learning Modules will be available from May 15 – July 1
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors; at least 16 years old; must not have worked as a SEES intern previously; U.S. citizens

The SEES Virtual Internship introduces high school students to NASA-supported research through remote, project-based work focused on Earth and space science data. You will collaborate with NASA scientists and mentors to complete research tasks such as analyzing datasets, visualizing results, and using tools like GIS platforms, astronomy software, or data systems, depending on your assigned project. Projects may include studying air quality, detecting exoplanets using photometry software, or exploring AI concepts for space applications, all of which involve working with real mission-related data. You will complete structured learning modules and participate in regular team meetings while developing technical and research skills. The program will conclude with a Virtual Science Symposium. 

9. Bluestaq – High School Internships

Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Early June through early August 
Application Deadline: Open until filled
Eligibility: Currently enrolled in high school and at least 16 years old; interested in pursuing a degree in a technology or engineering field; must be able to obtain a security clearance (U.S. citizenship required)

In this program, you gain professional workplace experience directly alongside engineers in downtown Colorado Springs. You contribute to real-world software projects that support broader company missions in data management and enterprise platforms. Throughout the summer, you develop practical skills in various scripting languages, front-end and back-end development, and cloud-based concepts. You work with diverse professional tools such as Java, Python, Angular, PostgreSQL, and Git. This immersive environment helps you navigate complex data storage solutions and modern software workflows. Ultimately, the internship equips you with a comprehensive understanding of engineering best practices and prepares you for a future tech career.

10. Growing Grads Summer Internship Program

Location: Various sites across Brighton, CO
Stipend:  Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 14 interns
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer, with mandatory professional development sessions on June 8, June 9, June 16, and July 28
Application Deadline: March 1 
Eligibility: Students aged 14–21; have attended the Growing Grads Summer Job Launch program; reside within the City limits of Brighton OR attend a School District 27J School

This program places high school students in paid, 8-week internships with the City of Brighton, where you’ll work up to 150 hours in a department matched to your interests. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to technology-related tasks, particularly in IT roles, such as assisting with system setup, troubleshooting service desk issues, managing hardware inventory, and supporting network or documentation processes. You will work under a designated supervisor, gaining exposure to how technical systems support day-to-day city operations. The program will also include weekly professional development sessions covering topics like communication, problem-solving, and workplace readiness. Each intern will also follow an individualized development plan created with their supervisor to track skills growth and progress throughout the internship.

11. Teen Science Scholars (TSS) Program at Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Location: Denver Museum of Nature & Science, Denver, CO
Stipend: $1,803
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 20 scholars per year
Dates: June 2–26 (Session 1); July 7–31 (Session 2)
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors aged 14–17

In this program, you will be placed in a specific track and work with museum scientists and staff on hands-on projects, which may include computer-based activities that support software tools for planetarium visualization, editing HTML/CSS files, modifying JavaScript or Lua scripts, or working with zoological datasets. The program combines project work with mentorship, allowing you to collaborate with professionals while learning how data, technology, and research are applied in real museum environments. You will also participate in professional development sessions focused on communication, teamwork, and career readiness. At the end of the program, you’ll present your work during a public Showcase event.

12. Summer Mines Engineering and Training (SUMMET) Program 

Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO
Cost: None, except for a $50 confirmation fee 
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort sizes
Dates: May 31 – June 5 (Session 1); June 7 – 12 (Session 2); June 21 – 26 (Session 3)
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors 

In this program, you will participate in daily classroom sessions, workshops, and group-based design projects, working across disciplines that may include computer science, mechanical engineering, and chemistry. A central component of the program is a collaborative design project, where you’ll work in teams to apply problem-solving and technical concepts throughout the week. You will also engage in mini-projects led by different academic departments, providing exposure to multiple STEM fields and how they intersect. The program will also include a site visit to the Edgar Experimental Mine, along with structured social and team-building activities that simulate aspects of college life.

13. St. Vrain Valley Schools – Innovation Center Internships

Location: Longmont, Colorado
Stipend: May be paid or unpaid depending on the placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by available openings
Dates: Aligned with the St. Vrain Valley Schools academic calendar; specific start and end dates vary by placement
Application Deadline: Rolling; current openings are posted and arranged through the Innovation Center's internship facilitator 
Eligibility: St. Vrain Valley Schools high school students in grades 9-12; arranged through the Innovation Center's work-based learning program; out-of-district or homeschool students considered only by special arrangement

Through the Innovation Center's internships, you take on real-world placements that focus on designing and engineering technology solutions for industry and community partners. With a software emphasis, you can apply skills built through Opportunity CLIMB industry certifications such as Python, AWS, Cisco, and Salesforce. You may also contribute to student project teams like the Tech Team, AI Leadership Team, or Cyber Tech Team, building and testing digital tools on authentic assignments. You work alongside professional mentors and use industry-standard equipment in a 50,000-square-foot facility that includes an Apple Tech Lab. Along the way, you practice the technical and workplace skills employers expect, and many placements provide real work for real pay.

14. Cherry Creek Innovation Campus – IT/STEAM internships

Location: Centennial, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: CCSD summer school fee required / Stipend varies by sponsoring company
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not publicly disclosed
Dates: June and July
Application Deadline: Typically, spring
Eligibility: Rising juniors, seniors, or at the discretion of the sponsoring company; requires prior completion of a CTE course in the pursued internship pathway; requires students to provide their own transportation

In this program, you apply your classroom technology skills in a real-world professional environment. By partnering with local businesses, this internship allows you to work directly within a career field like software development or information technology. You will complete a minimum of 100 hours at a sponsoring company, attending professional meetings, testing digital systems, and collaborating on computing projects. Because you must have previously completed a relevant CTE course, your foundation in coding, digital automation, or computer science will prepare you for these workplace responsibilities. Alongside your practical site experience, you will also complete concurrent coursework to further refine your technical and professional skills.

15. Warren Tech, Jeffco Public Schools – Digital Technology & IT Networking – Work-Based Learning internships

Location: Warren Tech, Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado; the Digital Technology & IT Coding pathway is offered at Warren Tech Central, with Warren Tech operating three campuses across Jefferson County
Cost/Stipend: Annual program fee, plus equipment and clothing for personal use, with the amount varying by program; / Stipend depends on the individual placement
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Lottery-based admission; nearly 1,600 juniors and seniors across all programs
Dates: Aligned with school year
Application Deadline: Round 1: January 9; Round 2: August 28
Eligibility: Age 16 or older by October 1 of the upcoming school year; entering junior or senior year; enrolled in a Jeffco diploma-granting high school or charter school

In this program, you learn how to solve problems using computers, an approach that revolves around creativity and problem-solving rather than only building computers. Working with instructors and industry partners who guide you through solving real business problems, you develop coding skills aligned to listed careers such as software developer and software quality and assurance tester/engineer. You can pursue industry certifications, including the Python Institute's PCEP and PCAP credentials and a Unity programmer certification. Through Work-Based Learning courses, you extend classroom work into job shadowing and internships outside the classroom. You also earn free college credit that connects to partner computer science programs at Colorado universities and community colleges.

Image source - National Institute of Standards and Technology logo