Colorado 529 College Savings Plans

Colorado offers three direct-sold 529 college savings plans and one advisor-sold 529 program. The largest direct-sold Colorado 529 plan is the Direct Portfolio College Savings Plan, managed by Ascensus College Savings, which utilizes Vanguard mutual funds. The Stable Value Plus College Savings Program offers a stable-value investment through Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company, and the Smart Choice College Savings Plan offers two FDIC-insured options through FirstBank. The Scholars Choice College Savings Program is managed by TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. and is sold through financial advisors. Colorado’s prepaid 529 program, the Prepaid Tuition Fund, closed and liquidated all assets in November 2013.

First Step by CollegeInvest is a program that gives every child born or adopted in the State of Colorado on or after January 1, 2020, a FREE $100 contribution to their CollegeInvest 529 college savings account. Everyone who claims a First Step award will also have a portion of their future contributions matched. There is also a separate Matching Grant Program for lower- to middle-income families. The details of these matches will be posted each year on the CollegeInvest website (www.collegeinvest.org).

Colorado 529 Tax Benefit

Consumer Plans

The team of Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. and The Vanguard Group manages the Colorado Direct Portfolio College Savings Plan. It features age-based and static portfolio options utilizing Vanguard mutual funds. Accounts can be linked to the Upromise rewards service....

Resident

5 / 5

Non-Resident

4 / 5

The CollegeInvest Stable Value Plus College Savings Plan was created to protect principal and guarantee a minimum annual rate of return under a funding agreement with Nationwide.

FDIC-Insured or Stable Value Planx

Colorado's Smart Choice College Savings Plan offers two FDIC-insured options through FirstBank: a one-year time savings account and a money market savings account.

FDIC-Insured or Stable Value Planx
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Advisor Sold Plans

Colorado's Scholars Choice Education Savings Plan (formerly known as Colorado Scholars Choice College Savings Program) is sold exclusively through advisors. The plan's management changed from Legg Mason to TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. in July 2021. The plan features enrollment year, target allocation, and individual fund portfolio options....

Resident

5 / 5

Non-Resident

4.5 / 5

ABLE plans

The Colorado ABLE Program is established under the state's ABLE legislation and Section 529A and implemented by CollegeInvest, a not-for-profit division within the Colorado Department of Higher Education. It allows an account owner to save for qualified disability expenses without disqualification from federal benefits....