Step inside the Colorado State Capitol and experience the legislative process during the annual session of the Colorado General Assembly (January–May). For more than 50 years, CSU students have traveled to Denver each spring to work directly with elected officials, committees, and policy professionals, gaining firsthand insight into how state government operates. 

Students are placed in House and Senate offices, the Governor’s legislative liaison’s office, or with policy and advocacy organizations. Daily work may include conducting policy research, tracking legislation, communicating with constituents, attending committee hearings, and supporting legislative operations. 

With more than 1,100 alumni, the program has a strong track record of preparing students for careers in public service, law, and government at the local, state, and federal levels. It offers a rare opportunity to see policymaking in action while contributing meaningfully to the work of the Capitol. 

Learn more about the Colorado Legislative Internship. 

Spend a semester in Washington, D.C. through CSU’s partnership with The Washington Center (TWC), an established nonprofit that connects students with professional internships and academic experiences in the nation’s capital. This selective program places up to 10 CSU students in immersive internships with government agencies, nonprofits, advocacy organizations, and public affairs offices, offering direct exposure to how policy is made and implemented at the national level. 

Alongside their internship, students take coursework and participate in a seminar and professional development colloquium designed to connect academic learning with their field experience. Students live in furnished housing near Capitol Hill and join a cohort of peers from across the country, building connections in one of the most dynamic political environments in the world. 

The program is open to students from all majors and is selected through a competitive application process. 

Learn more about the CSU in D.C. program.

Work with cities, counties, special districts, and regional partners across Colorado through a partnership with the Colorado City and County Management Association. Up to 20 student fellows are placed with local government agencies statewide, gaining firsthand experience in how communities address public challenges through local policy and administration. This fellowship provides an inside look at public administration while helping students explore careers in local government and civic leadership. 

Learn more about the Colorado Local Government Summer Internship.