Colorado Free University

Colorado Free University is a life long learning center offering a wide array of skill-based and enrichment courses. More of a learning network than a traditional school, CFU draws its teachers from the community and all teachers are independent contractors. Classes are designed for busy adults who want to get useful information or new skills without having to commit a great amount of time.

Whether the goal is upgrading skills for work, testing out a new career, developing an untapped talent, or just meeting new people while exploring a topic of interest, CFU offers something that will fit.

Colorado Free University has old roots but new applications. The Free University originally grew out of the free speech movement of the early ‘70’s with a mission to make education more egalitarian. The “Free” in Free University comes from the belief that there should not be barriers to learning or sharing knowledge and that students should have the freedom to choose what they want to learn. The first Free University in Denver, Denver Free University, opened in 1969 and ran until 1986. In the 70’s and 80’s there were many Free Universities around the country.

In 1987, after Denver Free University folded, John Hand founded Colorado Free University with less of a political and more of a community mission. John believed that communities have within them the resources to solve their own problems. For any need or problem a person might have, someone else in the community has an answer or solution. CFU brings those people together. Only a handful of independent, free-standing schools such as CFU are still in operation around the country.