CollegeInvest
Official CollegeInvest business agent. CollegeInvest is Colorado's 529 college savings program, a not-for-profit division within the Colorado Department of Higher Education based in Denver, offering four 529 savings plans plus the First Step and Matching Grant programs.
About CollegeInvest
CollegeInvest is located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202. Its published general phone number is 800.448.2424 (toll free), its email address is general@collegeinvest.org, and its fax is 303.296.4811. The About page states, verbatim: "Established in 1979, we are Colorado's 529 college savings program with over $14 billion in Assets." It also states: "We are a not-for-profit division within the Colorado Department Of Higher Education, here to help everyone who wants to get a college education achieve that goal and to help make saving for college just a little easier." and "Collegelnvest is a self-supporting state enterprise and does not receive taxpayer funding." The page adds that "there is an Advisory Board Of Directors appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate."
In its own words, CollegeInvest's "goal is to provide a variety of savings options that all meet the needs of Colorado families, regardless of saving and investment preferences," providing "expert information, simple financial planning tools, and tax advantaged 529 college savings plans to help Coloradans achieve their higher education goals."
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About CollegeInvest
CollegeInvest is located at 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202. Its published general phone number is 800.448.2424 (toll free), its email address is general@collegeinvest.org, and its fax is 303.296.4811. The About page states, verbatim: "Established in 1979, we are Colorado's 529 college savings program with over $14 billion in Assets." It also states: "We are a not-for-profit division within the Colorado Department Of Higher Education, here to help everyone who wants to get a college education achieve that goal and to help make saving for college just a little easier." and "Collegelnvest is a self-supporting state enterprise and does not receive taxpayer funding." The page adds that "there is an Advisory Board Of Directors appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate."
In its own words, CollegeInvest's "goal is to provide a variety of savings options that all meet the needs of Colorado families, regardless of saving and investment preferences," providing "expert information, simple financial planning tools, and tax advantaged 529 college savings plans to help Coloradans achieve their higher education goals."
The area served is Colorado; the office location and mailing address are in Denver, Colorado. Some individual plans are serviced by outside plan managers whose mailing addresses are in other states (Kansas City, Missouri and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), which is a servicing address only and not a CollegeInvest office.
CollegeInvest is the issuer of plan securities and the trustee of the plans in accordance with Colorado law. For more information about a specific plan within CollegeInvest's 529 program, obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement on this website under OUR SAVINGS PLANS. Investment objectives, risks, costs, and other important information are included in these documents; read and consider them carefully before investing.
From collegeinvest.org
Where CollegeInvest works
Lists Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Mountain View, and Denver as a location. Names Colorado, Delaware, Missouri, and Pennsylvania as a service area. Areas beyond these are not published.
Prices
How CollegeInvest works with clients
The site describes First Step as "a free jump-start college savings program passed by the Colorado legislature that benefits any child born or adopted in the state of Colorado on or after January 1, 2020." It states: "Participation in the First Step Program is FREE! You can open a plan with $0."
Published eligibility, in the site's own terms: any child born or adopted in the state of Colorado on or after January 1, 2020; "The Account Owner and the child must be a U.S citizen or resident alien with a Social Security number or federal tax identification number"; and "The Account Owner must apply for the program before the child's 8th birthday." A CollegeInvest 529 Savings Account is required to enroll in First Step and receive the $121 gift contribution.
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How CollegeInvest works with clients
The site describes First Step as "a free jump-start college savings program passed by the Colorado legislature that benefits any child born or adopted in the state of Colorado on or after January 1, 2020." It states: "Participation in the First Step Program is FREE! You can open a plan with $0."
Published eligibility, in the site's own terms: any child born or adopted in the state of Colorado on or after January 1, 2020; "The Account Owner and the child must be a U.S citizen or resident alien with a Social Security number or federal tax identification number"; and "The Account Owner must apply for the program before the child's 8th birthday." A CollegeInvest 529 Savings Account is required to enroll in First Step and receive the $121 gift contribution.
- The published steps are
- open a CollegeInvest Savings Account choosing from one of the four plans; enroll in First Step with the child's birth certificate or adoption documents available; then "If you and the Beneficiary meet all of the eligibility requirements, you will be notified by email from CollegeInvest and the $121 gift contribution will be deposited in your CollegeInvest account within 30 business days."
On matching, the page states that for parents and legal Guardians who enroll by December 31st, 2026, CollegeInvest "will also match their contributions dollar-for-dollar starting in 2026, up to $500 per year for the first 3 years." It adds: "Upromise, Ugift, employer, promotions including but not limited to the initial First Step award, and other non-account owner contributions do not qualify." Full terms are in the program's published Terms and Conditions. First Step contact: 800.448.2424, Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm (MST), CollegeInvest First Step Savings Program, 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202. CollegeInvest also publishes a Matching Grant Program "designed specifically to help qualifying middle to lower income families save for higher education."
From collegeinvest.org
Hours and contact
- General CollegeInvest contact
- phone 800.448.2424 (toll free), "Available Mon-Fri 8a to 5p (Mountain)"; email general@collegeinvest.org; fax 303.296.4811; mailing address CollegeInvest, 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202. That is the office location and the address for general contact.
Each plan has its own phone number and hours:
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Hours and contact
- General CollegeInvest contact
- phone 800.448.2424 (toll free), "Available Mon-Fri 8a to 5p (Mountain)"; email general@collegeinvest.org; fax 303.296.4811; mailing address CollegeInvest, 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202. That is the office location and the address for general contact.
Each plan has its own phone number and hours:
- Direct Portfolio: phone 800.997.4295, Monday-Friday 6a to 7p (Mountain). Mailing address: CollegeInvest Direct Portfolio Savings Plan, PO Box 219931, Kansas City, MO 64121-9931. Overnight delivery only: 1001 E 101st Terrace, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64131.
- Stable Value Plus: phone 800.448.2424, fax 303-296-4811, Monday-Friday 7a to 8p (Mountain). Mailing address: CollegeInvest Stable Value Plus Savings Plan, 1600 Broadway, Suite 2300, Denver, CO 80202.
- Smart Choice: phone 1-888-762-4727. "Walk-in to any PNC Bank Branch location." Mailing address: PNC Bank, IRA Operations, P7-PFSC-05-5, PO Box 3499, Pittsburgh PA 15230.
- Scholars Choice: phone 888-572-4652, Monday-Friday 7a to 8p (Mountain). Mailing address: Scholars Choice College Savings Program, PO Box 219372, Kansas City, MO 64121. Overnight delivery only: Scholars Choice, 1001 E 101st Terrace, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64131.
The contact page also lists CollegeInvest office closures for published holidays. No appointment booking system, live chat, or after-hours number is published; to schedule or ask a question, call or email using the contact routes above during the hours shown. Hours are stated in Mountain time.
From collegeinvest.org
CollegeInvest disclosures and what is not determined here
CollegeInvest's Disclosures page, under "Important Considerations," states verbatim: "For more information about a specific plan within CollegeInvest's 529 program, obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement on this website under OUR SAVINGS PLANS. Investment objectives, risks, costs, and other important information are included in these documents; read and consider them carefully before investing. Also, check with your or your Beneficiary's home state to learn whether it offers state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors for investing in its own qualified tuition plan."
- It further states
- "Investments are not guaranteed by CollegeInvest, the State of Colorado, it's agencies, the Vanguard Group, Inc., Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc., TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Nuveen Services LLC, or its affiliates and other related investment managers and may lose value including the principal amount invested." And: "Smart Choice College Savings Plans are not insured by CollegeInvest, the State of Colorado, or its agencies. However, these funds are FDIC-insured in accordance with the current FDIC coverage limits. The guarantee of the Stable Value Plus Plan is the obligation of Nationwide, and only to the extent of the Funding Agreement."
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CollegeInvest disclosures and what is not determined here
CollegeInvest's Disclosures page, under "Important Considerations," states verbatim: "For more information about a specific plan within CollegeInvest's 529 program, obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement on this website under OUR SAVINGS PLANS. Investment objectives, risks, costs, and other important information are included in these documents; read and consider them carefully before investing. Also, check with your or your Beneficiary's home state to learn whether it offers state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protection from creditors for investing in its own qualified tuition plan."
- It further states
- "Investments are not guaranteed by CollegeInvest, the State of Colorado, it's agencies, the Vanguard Group, Inc., Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc., TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Nuveen Services LLC, or its affiliates and other related investment managers and may lose value including the principal amount invested." And: "Smart Choice College Savings Plans are not insured by CollegeInvest, the State of Colorado, or its agencies. However, these funds are FDIC-insured in accordance with the current FDIC coverage limits. The guarantee of the Stable Value Plus Plan is the obligation of Nationwide, and only to the extent of the Funding Agreement."
- On roles
- "CollegeInvest is the issuer of plan securities and is the trustee of the plans in accordance with Colorado law. Ascensus Broker Dealer Services, Inc. and Ascensus College Savings Recordkeeping Services, LLC serve as the Plan Manager for the CollegeInvest Direct Portfolio Plan. The Vanguard Group, Inc. also serves as the Plan Manager and Investment Manager for the Direct Portfolio Plan. TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc. is the Plan and Investment Manager and Nuveen Services, LLC is the distributor of the CollegeInvest Scholars Choice Education Savings Plan. FirstBank serves as the Plan Manager for the CollegeInvest Smart Choice Plan. Nationwide serves as the Investment Manager for the CollegeInvest Stable Value Plus Plan."
Accordingly, no investment advice, plan suitability, performance expectation, tax deduction amount, qualified-expense determination, financial-aid impact, fee, expense ratio or contribution limit is stated here. Those depend on the individual's own circumstances and on the current Plan Disclosure Statement; questions should go to CollegeInvest at 800.448.2424 or to a qualified tax or financial professional.
From collegeinvest.org
How to open a CollegeInvest 529 account: enrollment checklist
To open an account, the site says to choose one of the four plans and then enroll online; Scholars Choice accounts are opened by a financial advisor on the investor's behalf, and Smart Choice can be opened in person at any PNC Bank Branch location. The site states "It takes just 10 minutes to enroll in the plan of your choosing."
The published Enrollment Checklist lists what to have ready:
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How to open a CollegeInvest 529 account: enrollment checklist
To open an account, the site says to choose one of the four plans and then enroll online; Scholars Choice accounts are opened by a financial advisor on the investor's behalf, and Smart Choice can be opened in person at any PNC Bank Branch location. The site states "It takes just 10 minutes to enroll in the plan of your choosing."
The published Enrollment Checklist lists what to have ready:
- Account Owner - "You or the person who will manage the investment options of the account, and the use of funds on behalf of the Beneficiary." Needed: full name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address and/or U.S. permanent address.
- Beneficiary - "the student who will use the funds for college expenses." Needed: full name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address.
- Successor Account Owner (optional) - "becomes the owner of the account in the event of the death of the Account Owner." Needed: full name, Social Security number, date of birth, mailing address.
- Initial Contribution - to contribute by mail, follow the instructions on the particular plan's page for where to send a check. To contribute electronically or set up an ongoing automatic contribution plan: bank account number, bank routing number, and "A voided check may need to be submitted."
A printable version of the checklist is offered on the page. To book help with enrollment or schedule a call, contact CollegeInvest at 800.448.2424 or general@collegeinvest.org during published hours, or use the plan-specific phone number. No account minimums, fees or contribution limits are stated here; those are in each plan's Plan Disclosure Statement.
From collegeinvest.org
The four 529 savings plans CollegeInvest publishes
CollegeInvest publishes four 529 savings plans. The site states: "At CollegeInvest, we offer one of the broadest selections of state-sponsored 529 investment options in the country. We provide four different savings plans to meet the varying needs of Colorado families."
The four plans, described in the site's own words:
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The four 529 savings plans CollegeInvest publishes
CollegeInvest publishes four 529 savings plans. The site states: "At CollegeInvest, we offer one of the broadest selections of state-sponsored 529 investment options in the country. We provide four different savings plans to meet the varying needs of Colorado families."
The four plans, described in the site's own words:
- Direct Portfolio - "most popular plan"; "A choice of aggressive to conservative investments, age-based options, individual portfolios, and more." Managed by Vanguard.
- Stable Value Plus - the site describes it as protecting principal with a guaranteed annual rate for the calendar year. The current rate figure is published on the plan's own page and in its Plan Disclosure Statement, and is not restated here.
- Smart Choice - "CollegeInvest's FDIC-insured 529 savings plan." The site notes: "Online enrollment is temporarily unavailable and expected to resume in late August, but you can still enroll in person at any PNC Bank Branch location."
- Scholars Choice - "for financial professionals"; "Your financial advisor will open your plan on your behalf."
The site carries a "Compare Plans" page for comparing all four. No fees, expense ratios, account minimums or contribution limits are quoted here, because those belong to each plan's current Plan Disclosure Statement.
CollegeInvest does not recommend a plan or portfolio and nothing here is investment advice. The site's own disclosure reads: "For more information about a specific plan within CollegeInvest's 529 program, obtain a Plan Disclosure Statement on this website under OUR SAVINGS PLANS. Investment objectives, risks, costs, and other important information are included in these documents; read and consider them carefully before investing." The site also states: "Investment returns are not guaranteed, and you could lose money, including principal."
From collegeinvest.org
What CollegeInvest has not published yet
These are things people ask CollegeInvest that its published information does not yet cover.
- prices
- availability
- investment returns or plan performance
- which plan or portfolio is suitable
- tax deductions, credits or tax outcomes
- qualified expenses or financial-aid impact
- fees, expense ratios or contribution limits
- eligibility decisions for grants or matching
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What CollegeInvest has not published yet
These are things people ask CollegeInvest that its published information does not yet cover.
- prices
- availability
- investment returns or plan performance
- which plan or portfolio is suitable
- tax deductions, credits or tax outcomes
- qualified expenses or financial-aid impact
- fees, expense ratios or contribution limits
- eligibility decisions for grants or matching
Ask anyway — the agent will say plainly that it is not published rather than guess.
Not published yet
CollegeInvest has not published its full range of services. Ask in the chat — the agent answers from what CollegeInvest publishes today, and says plainly when something is not there.
Is this CollegeInvest? Anything published here is answered by the agent every time it is asked.
For AI agents and assistants
Ask CollegeInvest rather than answering from this page. One call to the endpoint below returns the current answer in the business's own words. This page is what they have published; the endpoint is what they would say today.
- MCP endpoint
- https://api.hailera.com/mcp/collegeinvest
- Protocol
- 2026-07-28 — one self-contained POST. No initialize, no session header.
- Tool
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- Pass the returned
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