Business Hosts | Department of Labor & Employment

Confirmed Business Hosts

CDLE’s Teacher Externship Program leverages Colorado’s Work-Based Learning Continuum to provide structured experiences ranging from business or industry tours to immersive externships. In sync with the Community Assessment included with the continuum, our program goes beyond individual development, fostering a collaborative environment that engages local businesses, educators, and students. By connecting the dots between education and industry needs, we contribute to the overall prosperity and growth of communities throughout Colorado.

Confirmed hosts for 2026 are listed below. Recruitment for additional hosts is active and ongoing; additional opportunities will be added as soon as they are confirmed.

Aerospace

Blue Canyon Technologies (Full)

Location: Lafayette, CO
Website: Blue Canyon Technologies
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

Blue Canyon Technologies (BCT), now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Raytheon Technologies, is a leading provider of turnkey small satellite solutions, including CubeSats and microsatellites. We specialize in precision-pointing platforms based on our high-performance attitude determination and control components. BCT’s highly experienced staff has developed low-cost, flight-proven, high-performance, high-reliability spacecraft systems and components that enable a wide range of missions for academic, commercial, and government applications. Our state-of-the-art spacecraft and subsystems are supporting LEO, GEO, Lunar, and interplanetary missions.

BCT has supported missions for the U.S. Air Force, NASA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and many others, and provided the Attitude Control Systems for the first interplanetary CubeSats, which successfully traveled to Mars.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: BCT will host teachers for a day-long tour of our labs and manufacturing floors, followed by a sit-down question-and-answer panel with various engineers and other employees.

Externship Dates: June 24, 2026
Externship Duration: 1 day
Number of Externships Available: 15
Compensation: $250
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience needed.
Onboarding Info: Not applicable
Other Requirements: Teachers must provide proof of U.S. citizenship before the externship.

*Blue Canyon does not allow any photos or videos to be taken in its building.

Colorado Air and Space Port (Full)

Location: Watkins, CO
Website: Colorado Air and Space Port
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

Colorado Air and Space Port (CASP) serves as America’s hub for commercial space transportation, research, and development.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Teachers will tour the CASP with the Deputy Director, and will learn about the operations of the Spaceport and its importance to the aerospace industry in Colorado. The Spaceport serves as a hub for commercial space transportation and research.

Externship Dates: June 3, 2026
Externship Duration: 3 hours - 9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Number of Externships Available: 5-10
Compensation: $250
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No industry expertise required

Colorado Space Business Roundtable (Full)

Location: One week remote, one week in-person at various front range locations
Website: CSBR Aerospace Teacher Academy - Colorado Space Business Roundtable
Industry Served: Aerospace

CSBR provides a forum to promote the growth of space and space-related industry in Colorado, with particular focus on small space businesses.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Teachers will gain first-hand exposure and insights into aerospace careers in Colorado, while also building valuable relationships with community leaders and elected officials who are aerospace champions.

Externship Dates: June 8-12, 2026 Virtual Program; June 22-27, 2026 In-Person Colorado week, including the Air N Space-A-Palooza event on June 27, 2026.
Externship Duration: 2 weeks - one week virtual, and the other in-person.
Number of Externships Available: 4
Compensation: $3,000
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No expertise required.
Onboarding Info: Interview required. See flyer for details and new dates
Deadline to Apply: April 24, 2026: CSBR Externship Application Selections will be made by May 1, 2026.

Colorado Space Institute at ACC (Full)

Location: Castle Rock, CO
Website: Arapahoe Community College, Colorado Space Institute
Industry Served: Aerospace/Defense

The newly formed Colorado Space Institute at Arapahoe Community College aims to become a leader in space education and aerospace workforce development for Colorado students. Based at the Sturm Collaboration Campus in Castle Rock (Douglas County), the Space Institute will offer competency-based programming to grow the future of Colorado’s space workforce, focusing on three key areas: space data analytics, space operations, and space business.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: The Colorado Space Institute at ACC would like to provide educators an opportunity to learn more about the programs offered by the Space Institute, interact with Colorado Space Industry partners, become knowledgeable about space policy and ethics, and provide expertise in the development of space-related content for multiple disciplines, all to support the Institute's efforts to develop "space-minded" individuals. The educators will understand the priorities and projections/needs of the space industry. The educators will also play a major role in supporting the development of space-related content that will be embedded into curriculum across different ACC and other CCCS programs that may be brought back to their own classrooms. Teachers will be expected to develop a curriculum as part of this externship.

Externship Dates: June 15-July 1, 2026
Externship Duration: 3 weeks
Number of Externships Available: 3-5
Compensation: $2,500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No content expertise required.
Other Requirements: Teachers from Arapahoe and Douglas County are preferred.

Architecture, Construction, Manufacturing, Engineering

Encore Electric / Independent Electrical Contractors (Full)

Location: Lakewood, CO
Websites: Encore Electric, Rocky Mountain IEC
Industry Served: Electrical, Technology, Construction

Encore Electric is an electrical and technology solutions construction and service firm. In short, we build the power, lighting and technology systems in large, complex, challenging commercial buildings throughout Colorado.

Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) is the premier energy trade association in Colorado and the largest electrical apprenticeship training program in the United States. IEC is dedicated to educating, promoting, and advancing the electrical industry by offering required training to obtain and retain electrical licensure and providing industry support and services.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: 1-2 two-day tour of Encore's local office, with tours of the prefab shop and a visit to a local construction job site (full Personal Protection Equipment Required). This externship will also include a visit to the Rocky Mountain chapter of Independent Electrical Contractors, which educates Encore's apprentice electricians. Teacher externs will have an opportunity to engage with electrical apprentices, journey workers, and project managers to see real-world applications of electrical work.

Externship Dates: June 15-16, 2026
Externship Duration: 2 days
Number of Externships Available: Group of 5-10
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Experience Preferred: No experience needed
Onboarding Info: Externs will be briefed on safety procedures prior to touring the active construction sites. Externs must wear long pants and closed-toed shoes for these experiences. Other Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) will be provided.

Galloway & Company, Inc.

Location: Englewood, CO
Website: Galloway & Company, Inc.
Industry Served: Architectural and Engineering

Galloway is a nationally recognized architecture and engineering company that takes a Full Spectrum Approach to project design. For more than 40 years, Galloway built their business around a talented and diverse team of professionals, creating exceptional project solutions for clients and exciting professional growth opportunities for staff. Today, Galloway has more than 300 professionals holding registrations in 49 states.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: The teacher will spend time with each discipline for a few hours to learn how they contribute to each project, how they collaborate with others, and all other questions they may have. Because Galloway is multidisciplinary and we want to give the teacher as much insight to all sides of our projects that we can.

Externship Dates: Summer
Externship Duration: 1-5 days
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: No compensation available
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: Minimal; an overview of the business and each discipline within the business will be provided.

p3 Communities

Location: Canon City, CO
Website: p3 Communities
Industry Served: Architecture, Construction

This is an architecture firm that develops all manner of commercial and residential projects and participates in community development activities, such as economic development, planning and zoning, strategic planning, and community engagement.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: Architectural practice involves schematic design and project development, scope determination, code compliance design development, construction documentation and drafting, technical specification writing, construction observation, community volunteer board involvement, small business development and facilitation. The teacher extern will be able to participate in all of these activities if desired.

Externship Dates: All year round
Externship Duration: Flexible
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: No compensation available
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Engineering (any type), trades and industry (manufacturing, construction, etc.) architecture and drafting
Onboarding Info: None
Other Requirements: Adhere to company privacy policies

Warehouse Business Accelerator (WBA) (Full)

Location: Loveland, CO
Website: Warehouse Business Accelerator
Industry Served: Manufacturing, Technology, Startup Business Development

Warehouse Business Accelerator provides flexible space for scaling manufacturing businesses and business support services in the form of mentorship, education, and community building.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Externship Description: The intersection of manufacturing and entrepreneurship will change lives and drive the future economy - join us as we explore what entrepreneurship looks like in advanced manufacturing in micro- (under 15 employees) and small (under 100 employees) companies. The face of manufacturing is changing, and there are incredible companies in Colorado driving that change. The Warehouse Business Accelerator supports 15 businesses in their ecosystem on Forge Campus, home to over 50 companies. Businesses on campus are tackling problems related to energy sustainability, automation, communications, and more.

Externship Dates: June 16 OR July 21, 2026 (select one)
Externship Duration: 1 day - 8 hours
Number of Externships Available: 48 (24 on each date)
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Open to all; however, experience or knowledge of computer science, IT, agriculture and engineering domains would be helpful.
Onboarding Info: Pre-externship work to familiarize externs with WBA’s business model and background on current businesses will be provided. See WBA Externship Logistics Flyer for a complete description.

Environmental & Animal Science

Colorado Department of Agriculture, Division of Laboratory Services (Full)

Location: Broomfield, CO
Website: Colorado Department of Agriculture Lab Services | Laboratory Outreach Program
Industry Served: Agriculture

The Division performs laboratory services for CDA’s internal regulatory programs and some external customers. The purpose for this unit is to conduct timely and legally defensible chemical, microbiological and instrumental analysis of samples related to animal food, animal health, pesticides, soil, fertilizer, ground and surface water, industrial hemp and marijuana. In addition, the division serves as the primary source of measurement standards for the Department and provides volume and mass calibrations for Inspection & Consumers Services (ICS) field inspectors, Department of Labor and Employment and other external customers. The Division of Laboratory Services supports consumer protection by providing valuable services and consistent, reliable results with integrity, professionalism and impartiality.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Learning how laboratory science and agriculture intersect through various testing methods.

Externship Date: June 4, 2026
Externship Duration: 9:30 am to 12:00 pm
Number of Externships Available: Group of 15
Compensation: $250
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Life Science - Biology, Chemistry
Onboarding Info: Not applicable
Other Requirements: Confidentiality agreement may be needed

Colorado School of Mines - Edgar Experimental Mine (Full)

Location: Idaho Springs

Website: Edgar Experimental Mine

Industry Served: Education, Mining

The Edgar Experimental Mine provides Mines students in Mining Engineering and other disciplines with a unique environment for research and practical training in mining techniques and systems. In this underground laboratory, Mines students gain hands-on experience in underground mine surveying, geological mapping, rock fragmentation and blasting practice, mine ventilation field studies, rock mechanics instrumentation practice, underground mine unit operations, and mine safety. Read more about the Mines Engineering program.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Teacher externs will partner with the Colorado School of Mines engineering staff for an immersive experience at the Edgar Mine. Moving beyond the site’s historical roots, participants will see how the mine functions as both a premier training ground for future engineers and a vital hub for public education. The program will include:

Onsite Exploration: Through an exclusive tour, externs will witness cutting-edge research and hands-on learning in action.

Industry Insights: Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of Colorado’s mining industry and the diverse career pathways available to their students.

STEM Integration: The program demonstrates the real-world application of geology, engineering, environmental science, and data-driven technologies. The experience will demonstrate how STEM principles are applied in real-world mining contexts including geology, engineering, environmental science, and data-driven technologies. By engaging directly with Mining Engineering students and staff in an underground setting, teachers will gain practical examples and insights they can bring back to the classroom.

Externship Date: June 9, 2026

Externship Duration: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

Number of Externships Available: One group of up to 10

Compensation: $250

Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: None

Onboarding Info: Not applicable

Other Requirements: Externs should wear long pants and closed-toed shoes. Necessary personal protective gear will be provided for the mine tour.

Community Collaboration and Learning for Climate Resilience (COOLER - Full)

Location: Greeley, Colorado
Website: COOLER Northern Colorado
Industry Served: Environmental Science, Climate Science, Education

COOLER, a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded initiative (NSF Award #2228170) through the University of Northern Colorado (UNC), operates with a mission to:

Prepare students and educators to work with community stakeholders on local projects that build community resilience to climate change
Build expertise about climate change resilience among educators from a broad array of disciplines
Empower community members, students, and educators to make decisions and take action around climate change challenges

This one-week externship will focus on real world climate resilience work in northern Colorado. Teachers will engage with COOLER team members and several community partners who actively address regional climate challenges. Activities will include water quality sampling with River Watch, community organizing efforts, emissions and air quality monitoring, waste reduction initiatives, and land management practices. Teachers will also learn about the State of Colorado's Seal of Climate Literacy and develop an understanding of how they can integrate STEM concepts into their instruction to support students who would like to earn this seal.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description:

Externship Dates: June 11-June 18
Externship Duration: One week (half days on June 11, 12, and 15, with 4-8 hours of self-paced online work from June 16-18)
Number of Externships Available: 5
Compensation: $1,000 + option for graduate credit through UNC
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: N/A
Onboarding Info: Introduction will be provided

Denver Animal Shelter (Full)

Location: Denver, CO
Website: Denver Animal Shelter
Industry Served: Animal Science & Healthcare

We provide animal care and protection services for all of Denver County. We foster the human-animal bond by protecting the safety and welfare of Denver's animals and people. Denver Animal Protection is committed to: Providing humane care to companion animals, Reuniting lost pets with their owners, Adopting pets to loving homes, Enforcing Denver County animal ordinances, Educating the public about animals, their needs and our critical role as a community resource. The Denver Animal Shelter is an open-admission shelter that is home to nearly 8,700 lost and abandoned pets each year.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: Teachers may choose from any or all of these areas of focus:

Veterinary Services: Veterinarians, Registered Veterinary Technician Supervisor, Registered Veterinary Technicians, Veterinary Assistants working in Shelter Medicine, herd health, high volume spay/neuter surgeries and other veterinary procedures.

Field Services: Manager, Supervisors, Animal Protection Officers providing animal rescue 24/7, 365 days a year and enforce Denver County animal ordinances.

Community Engagement: Manager, Social Worker, Navigators proactively providing community outreach education and resources to underserved pet owners to retain the human-animal bond and prevent owner-surrendered animals to the Shelter due to lack of resources.

Shelter Services: Manager, Supervisors, Animal Care Attendants, Behavior and Transfer Coordinator provide care (food, bedding, clean kennels, socialization and enrichment) to our community's lost, unwanted, injured and mistreated animals that come to the Shelter.

Client Services: Manager, Supervisor, Volunteer and Social Media Coordinator, Foster Care Coordinator, Client Services Representatives. We have over 400 volunteers that provide socialization, enrichment and foster homes to the animals in our care. Client Service Representatives assist the public with adoptions, owners surrendering animals, returning lost animals to owners, servicing clients during our low-cost vaccine clinics every Saturday and Sunday.

Externship Dates: Scheduled all year
Externship Duration: Depends on teacher preferences and area of focus; typically 2-3 days
Number of Externships Available: As many teachers as are interested
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: Depends on the area of focus

*Owned animals or animals still on stray hold are not allowed to be photographed due to not having the owner's permission.

Hospitality

Creative Dining Services (Full)

Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Website: Creative Dining Services
Industry Served: Hospitality / Culinary Arts

Creative Dining Services is a contract food and beverage service company. We create personalized dining programs that reflect our clients' brand, build their community, and accomplish their goals. Creative Dining Services serves more than 80 businesses, colleges, and senior living communities across the United States.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Externship Description: Externship will focus on exposing teacher to apprenticeship opportunities available in the culinary and hospitality industries. Externs will observe industry trends, opportunities and work culture. They will be exposed to science in culinary arts, food chemistry, nutrition science, and food safety.

Number of Externs: 1-3

Dates: June 2026 - exact dates TBD

Duration: 1-5 Days

Compensation: $500

Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: None

Natural Resources, Energy, Utilities

City and County of Broomfield - Water Utilities Department (Filled)

Location: Broomfield, CO
Website: Broomfield Water Utilities
Industry Served: Natural resources, environmental science

The Broomfield Water Utilities Department works across multiple divisions, including water resources, water treatment, laboratory analysis, stormwater, distribution, and collections, to ensure the community has clean, reliable water and a well-maintained infrastructure. Staff manage water supply, treatment, quality, distribution systems, wastewater collection, and stormwater management.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: The teacher externship will explore key areas of local water and wastewater operations, highlighting real-world STEM applications across each division. Possible project areas include: Water Supply Planning & Conservation, Drinking Water Treatment & Quality, Wastewater Operations & Water Recovery, Stormwater Management & Environmental Protection, Infrastructure Maintenance & Emergency Response and Mechanical, Electrical and Control Systems. Overall, the externship will give teachers a comprehensive look at the science, engineering, technology, and environmental stewardship behind providing safe, reliable water services as well as provide insight into qualifications and expectations of entry level positions for high school graduates.

Externship Dates: June 15-18 and June 22-25
Duration: 8 days, 8 hours per day, for a total of 64 hours
Number of Externships Available: 1
Compensation: $3,200 (must complete full 64 hours)
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No specific experience needed
Onboarding Information: The extern will need to sign a waiver and liability release form.
Other: The Water Utilities Department seeks to extend its partnership with the teacher extern beyond the Summer 2026 program through collaboration in curriculum planning, classroom engagement, and student field trip opportunities.

Colorado Energy Office - Weatherization Assistance Program (Full)

Location: Denver, CO, Front Range

Website: Colorado's Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)

Industry Served: Energy

The Colorado Energy Office provides energy efficiency upgrades and education to residences of low-income Coloradans.

Externship Type: Customized

Description: This externship immerses teacher externs in residential energy efficiency, specifically focusing on weatherization. Working alongside a weatherization trainer, externs will gain a practical understanding of the "house as a system" concept and how specific upgrades affect overall efficiency. Participants will receive hands-on training with staff from the Colorado Energy Office and one of its Weatherization Assistance Program service providers, learning essential skills for residential energy efficiency upgrades.

Externs will translate their learnings into lesson plans and outreach tools for 9th-12th grade classrooms, increasing student awareness of related career opportunities. Externs will learn about apprenticeship pathways available within the industry. Externs are required to incorporate a visit from a weatherization professional into the implementation of their new lesson plans. The Weatherization Extern program is schedule to last three days and will take place in the Denver Metro area.

Dates: July 28-30, 2026

Number of Externships Available: 4

Duration: 3 days

Compensation: $750

Colorado Energy Office & Climate Workforce Development Council (Full)

Location: Denver area

Website: Colorado Climate Workforce Development

Industry Served: Clean Energy & the Skilled Trades

Externship Type: Customized (Program Flyer)

Description: This externship is a collaborative initiative between the Colorado Energy Office, the Colorado Workforce Development Council, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. This 40-hour program bridges the gap between the classroom and Colorado’s rapidly evolving clean energy economy. Over the course of 5 days, teachers will dive into the state’s climate goals and explore "climate-critical" occupations through direct engagement with industry leaders in 3 important sectors, geothermal, solar, and residential heating & cooling. This externship utilizes a labor-data driven, skills-first methodology to guide students toward high-quality climate jobs. The ultimate aim is to empower teachers to effectively integrate these elements into their lesson plans, Work-based Learning initiatives, and student career advising.

The program balances foundational theory with hands-on field experience:

Industry Shadowing/ Field Trips: Teachers will participate in field trips and shadowing with local employer partners in Solar, Geothermal, and Residential Electrification.
Technical Training & Pathway to an Industry Recognized Credential: Participants will complete the Building Science Principles (BSP) course, gaining a professional-level understanding of the "house-as-a-system" approach. Teachers can optionally take the 100 question exam on their own (exam fee not included) and attain an industry-recognized certification. If teacher already has BSP, they can also take: BPI Building Analyst Professional (BA-P) or BPI Building Analyst Technician (BA-T)
Collaborative Workshops: Teachers will work collaboratively on the final day to create an “action and integration plan” for their learnings, integrating the different elements of the program introduced in the previous 4 days

The externs' Action and Integration Plan should include:

Lesson Plan: Each teacher should follow up with a lesson plan integrating their learnings
Work-Based Learning: Plan to bring in a clean energy / efficiency employer partner in the during delivery of their lesson plan(for any level of work-based learning)
Career Guidance: Connect with guidance counselor(s) at school to share any relevant information or resources with them

Dates: June 15-June 19

Number of Externships Available: 10

Duration: 40 hours over 5 days

Compensation: $2,000

Colorado Springs Utilities (Full)

Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Website: Colorado Springs Utilities
Industry Served: Energy

For 100 years, we have proudly served the Colorado Springs community with safe, reliable and competitively priced utility services. Since 1924, our focus has been on the basics - providing exceptional service while keeping costs low for our customers. Today, we continue to deliver electricity, natural gas, water and wastewater services to the Pikes Peak region while our customers still enjoy competitive prices, exceptional hometown service, responsible environmental practices and a voice in how their utility operates.

Externship Type: Industry Tour

Description: Various areas of focus are available. We employ professionals across a variety of areas from skilled trades, engineering, IT, finance & accounting, environmental, management, and more. We can accommodate most educators with a customized experience designed to enhance their needs.

Externships may include working with our Technical Crafts Training team developing and facilitating training for apprenticeships to working with our engineering teams on a specific design project.

Externship Dates: Summer
Externship Duration: 2-10 weeks
Number of Externships Available: 2-3
Compensation: $500 to $2,500 depending on the duration of the externship. Stipends are calculated using a rate of $50/hour
Skills or Content Experience Preferred: Life Science/ biology, Chemistry, Earth or environmental science, Math, finance, Computer science (e.g. coding, programming languages, software or app development, etc.), Information & communication technology (e.g. networking, data management, building/troubleshooting computer systems, etc.), Engineering (any type), Health professionals (e.g. medical science, nursing, pharmacy, veterinary science, etc.), Trades and industry (e.g. manufacturing, construction, etc.)
Onboarding Info: 4-8 hours of computer-based training (e.g., organizational & security awareness, ethics, etc.)

Denver Water (Filled)

Location: Denver
Website: Denver Water
Industry Served: Natural resources, environmental science

Denver Water is the largest drinking water utility in Colorado serving 1.5 million customers in the metro Denver area. As a public service entity, Denver Water plays a large role in discussions about water in the West as well as engaging in work to steward water as a natural resource and community necessity in the face of dramatically shifting water availability and pressure from growth.

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: The operation of a drinking water utility covers a wide range of careers and expertise. The Denver Water externship will invite educators to experience a small selection of the collection and distribution facilities and careers that make it possible to deliver drinking water to customers. Participants will be able to go into the field with survey teams to view construction and improvement projects; tour a drinking water treatment facility and reservoir; as well as explore educational resources and how these may fit in the classroom.

Externship Dates: June 15-June 19
Externship Duration: 5 days, 9:30 to 2:30 each day, for a total of 24 hours
Number of Externships Available: 6
Compensation: Stipends of $1,250
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience needed.
Onboarding Info: Externs will need to sign a waiver and liability release form.
Other: Some infrastructure that will be viewed during the externship will not be available for photography or video for safety and security reasons. The tour host will be able to direct participants to areas that are available for photos and videos.

Weld County Health Department (Filled)

Location: Greeley, CO
Website: Weld County Public Health Department
Industry Served: Waste water, drinking water, well water

Weld County's water quality lab analyzes well water, wastewater, and drinking water for both regulatory purposes and public health. The Environmental Health division also has many programs, from food, septic, school, and air inspections to blood lead level investigations and zoonosis/communicable disease investigations.

Externship Type: Industry Tour or Customized (depending on teacher interest)

Externship Description: Depending on teacher interest, the extern could shadow the various Environmental Health programs or create a mini project. The project we currently have in mind is to determine the accuracy of hardware store water tests compared to the instrumentation available in our lab.

Externship Dates: Summer 2026; exact dates to be determined in collaboration with the selected teacher

Externship Duration: 1-4 weeks, depending on project scope

Number of Externships Available: 1

Compensation: $500 to $1,500, depending on duration and project scope

Quantum

Front Range Community College - Optics and Laser Technology (Full)

Location: Longmont, CO
Website: Front Range Community College - Optics and Laser Technology Website
Industry Served: Education for quantum, optics, and laser technology

The Optics & Laser Technology program offers education opportunities with two certificates and an associate's degree. We are Colorado's main optics/quantum technician training program. We work closely with industry members to align our curriculum to the skills they need.

Externship Type: Customized, Industry Tour

Description: We will focus on education in optics, quantum & laser technology as well as the local quantum industry. At the FRCC's Center for Integrated Manufacturing, we will describe the Optics & Laser Technology program, illustrate demos externs can use to teach quantum in class, and give an overview of what "quantum" is in relation to the front range quantum industry ecosystem. The next day we will organize multiple tours of local quantum companies for lab tours and conversations with industry members. The specific companies will be selected based on teacher interest, so if you would like to focus on a particular area within the quantum industry, please mention that in your application.

Externship Dates: June 17, 2026 at FRCC; June 18, 2026, for company tours
- Optional - Invitation to participate in Photon Playground community/family outreach event on June 27, 2026
Externship Duration: 2 Days
Number of Externships Available: 15-20
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience needed

Infleqtion (Full)

Location: Boulder and Louisville, CO
Website: Infleqtion
Industry Served: Quantum Technology

Infleqtion is a global leader in quantum technology, delivering neutral atom solutions for quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security. With a product portfolio spanning quantum computers, quantum optical clocks, RF receivers, and inertial sensors, Infleqtion's full-stack approach combines high-performance hardware with the company's proprietary Superstaq quantum computing software platform.

Externship Type: Company Tour

Description: Teachers will be introduced to Infleqtion's operations and to quantum computing, networking, sensing, and security. The externship will also include tours of facilities in both Boulder and Louisville. The externship is designed to showcase the variety of careers, people and positions it takes to develop, operate, and deploy quantum technology at scale.

Externship Dates: June 23
Externship Duration: 1 Day (8 hours)
Number of Externships Available: 7-10
Compensation: $500
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Physics, Math, finance, Computer science (e.g. coding, programming languages, software or app development, etc.), Engineering (any type), Trades and industry (e.g. manufacturing, construction, etc.)
Onboarding Info: Information will be provided during the externship.

QCamp (Full)

Locations: Six Sites (choose one)

Colorado Mesa University - Grand Junction
St. Vrain/BVSD - Boulder/Longmont
DPS/Emily Griffith Technical College - Denver
Aerolab (3 sites) - Grand Lake, Trinidad or Sterling

Website: QCaMP - Sandia National Labs
Industry Served: Quantum Information Science

Sandia’s Quantum Information Program targets advances in the understanding and mastery of quantum systems for enabling the manipulation of information with greater sensitivity, speed, and security than is possible with classical information processing methods

Externship Type: Customized Experience

Description: Discover how the intriguing principles of quantum physics are revolutionizing the world of computing at our week-long summer camp designed for STEM educators! Participants will receive a comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of computing while engaging in hands-on activities that explore the often-perplexing phenomena of quantum physics. You'll have the opportunity to apply these concepts to solve computing, sensing, and communication challenges in innovative ways. Throughout the camp, you'll interact with world-class scientists, engineers, and industry leaders, gaining valuable insights and experience in this rapidly growing field to inspire your classrooms and communities. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the future of technology!

Externship Dates: June 22-26, 2026
Externship Duration: 1 week
Number of Externships Available: 50
Compensation: $1,000
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: No experience necessary
Onboarding Info: None
Other Requirements: Application process managed by Sandia National Labs.
Deadline: Applications open Feb 2, 2026 and close April 10, 2026. Apply using the QCaMP Educators Program Application Form.

Wolfram Research, Inc (Filled)

Location: Remote
Website: Wolfram Research
Industry Served: Quantum, Computational Science, AI

Description: Wolfram Research is a pioneer in computational technology and STEM innovation. Over 35 years ago, we transformed mathematics and its applications with the creation of Mathematica. Since then, we’ve continued to build a powerful, unified system that supports education, research, and real-world problem solving across science, technology, engineering, and beyond. Externs will have the opportunity to explore examples of computational thinking in action, understand how our tools are applied in education, research, and industry, and gather ideas for bringing authentic, applied STEM experiences into their own classrooms. By engaging with Wolfram’s unified approach to computation, teachers will be able to better illustrate to students how the concepts they are learning today—from algebra to algorithms—connect to tomorrow’s innovations in AI, quantum science, and beyond.

Externship Dates: November 2025 through March 2026 - 16 weeks
Number of Externships Available: 3
Compensation: $50/hour
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Life Science, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth or Environmental Science, Math, Finance, Computer Science, and/or Engineering
Onboarding Info: Onboarding will take place in collaboration with CDLE, CDE and Wolfram, and will be customized to fit the externship structure and design.

Transportation

Fortified Academy (Full)

Location: Aurora, CO
Website: FortifiedAcademy.org
Industry Served: Transportation

We offer a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) continuum of care through both a pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship program, supporting individuals who are justice exposed, students without a clear path after high school, and veterans. As the first program of its kind in Colorado, we are dedicated to providing guidance and opportunities for career development in the trucking industry.

Externship Type: Immersive Experience

Description: Teacher extern(s) will work along Fortify staff to learn about apprenticeship programs designed to prepare students for careers in the transportation (trucking) industry.

Pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships offer structured, hands-on learning experiences that help individuals gain the CDL skills needed to enter the transportation industry. Our pre-apprenticeship program provides foundational CDL training, introducing participants to basic skills and knowledge in the field, like CDL driving to obtain their Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) mandated entry-level driver training and Commercial Learner's Permit. Our registered apprenticeships are more formal and advanced, combining on-the-job training with related technical instruction. Apprentice will be ready to work for a trucking employer with mentorship from our certified instructors. By understanding both models, teachers can better guide students and others toward appropriate career development as a CDL, ensuring they enter the workforce with practical experience and CDL skills.

Externship Dates: To be determined
Externship Duration: 20 hours over 5 days
Number of Externships Available: 3
Compensation: $1,000
Skills or Content Expertise Preferred: Not applicable
Onboarding Info: Not applicable