Western Governors University

Online University

In 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed a proclamation recognizing the Colorado-Western Governors University (WGU) Partnership and its mission to create pathways to opportunity and improve access to higher education for working learners in Colorado. 

Western Governors University

About WGU

Western Governors University (WGU) is an online, nonprofit university created to make affordable, high-quality education more accessible. WGU was officially founded in 1997 by the governors of 19 U.S. states. It was first proposed by then-governor of Utah Mike Leavitt at the annual meeting of the Western Governors Association in June 1995. Former Colorado Governor Roy Romer was instrumental in the creation and is still very supportive of WGU.

WGU is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), a regional accreditation body of colleges and universities in a seven-state region that includes WGU’s headquarters in Utah. WGU was originally based in Boulder, Colorado, then Denver, Colorado, before moving to Utah.

WGU Online Degrees

WGU offers more than 60 bachelor's and master's degrees developed with input from councils composed of nationally recognized experts in their respective fields. Areas of study include:

WGU Students

Our students are working adults who can earn their degrees even faster thanks to competency-based education.

WGU Tuition Model

For many people, one of the biggest barriers to education is the cost. But paying for a quality degree shouldn’t have to break the bank. At WGU, you can earn a respected degree for about half the national average for a bachelor's degree.

Western Governors University logo

WGU Colorado Roy Romer Opportunity Scholarship

About the Scholarship

WGU is currently offering this competitive scholarship opportunity to new students or returning graduates who are residents of Colorado and want to further their education at WGU. Scholarship recipients will receive up to $1,000 per six-month term, renewable up to four terms. That's a total scholarship value of up to $4,000.

About Roy Romer

Roy Romer was elected 39th Governor of Colorado in 1986 and served three terms. As governor, he helped lead the creation of Western Governors University in 1997 and championed WGU's Competency-Based Education (CBE) model. Throughout his public service he served as superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District, chair of National Governors Association 1992-1993, and chair of the Education Commission of the States 1994-1995. 

Learn More and Apply - Deadline is June 30

Learn more about the scholarship opportunity and apply here:

CDOT Reimbursement Program

CDOT reimburses for schoolwork, for a degree program, or continuing education program that will benefit CDOT (i.e., is related to a CDOT job). The program can be related to your current position or to a position that you aspire to have at CDOT. CDOT also reimburses for business-related certificate programs from colleges (e.g., business degree specialization certificate).

Degrees from WGU that meet these criteria are eligible for CDOT's Reimbursement Program. Visit the Reimbursement page for further details, including which employees qualify for reimbursement: