How to Become a Writer in Colorado with a BFA, MFA or Similar Creative Writing Degree

colorado college

There’s the old stereotype about writers enjoying the bottle, and maybe the lower levels of oxygen in Colorado’s higher elevation have a similar effect.

The home of Karouac’s beatnik School of Disembodied Poetics, and for a time Hunter S. Thompson, Colorado has established itself as a safe space for strong and eclectic personalities. It’s a perfect place for creative writers, many with a reputation for finding their own path and challenging existing societal norms.

Anne Waldman, author of dozens of books, pamphlets, and numerous poetry collaborations, co-founded a creative writing school in Boulder in just such a philosophical vein; a unique spirit she called “outrider” that has since contributed to the establishment of a new poetic style:

Colorado – The Counterculture Capital

multicultural friends together on campusDoes Colorado really have anything on Haight Street? The answer is yes, starting with beatniks.

If hippies were a cultural response to the Vietnam War, beatniks came first as a 1950s cultural response to societal rigidity begotten by the Great Depression and World War Two.

With an etymology tracing back to Jack Kerouac and his phrase, “beat generation,” beatniks were all about individuality, freedom, and expression. This kind of atmosphere was a natural incubator for writers and poets, with notable names in addition to Kerouac including Allen Ginsberg, William S. Burroughs, Joanne Kyger, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, Ken Kesey, Gregory Corso and many more.

All those names except Kerouac himself, due to his untimely death, were celebrated poets and novelists, and fixture faculty at the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics located in Boulder as part of Naropa University.

Founded by Ginsberg and beat-associated poet Anne Waldman, the acclaimed school is going strong to this day, offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in creative writing, taught by a star-studded staff.

The Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics was founded in a cultural tradition that produced classic works like On the Road, “Howl,” Naked Lunch, and, “Bomb.”

The school exemplifies the tradition found in many creative writing programs of older experienced artists giving back to the next generation’s authors and poets.

It’s the perfect illustration of the guidance and inspiration you can get out of a creative writing degree program that matches your goals with its strengths.

Colorado’s Creative Writing Classes, Courses, and Workshops Can Prepare You for a Creative Writing Degree

As with any art form, practice makes perfect. Fortunately, Colorado offers many opportunities for you to gain experience in your craft.

The Colorado Writers’ Café specializes in community building among writers throughout the state. Its unique approach involves contacting various Colorado writing groups and arranging for Café members to sit in on a meeting. This ensures maximum networking, with members experiencing a smorgasbord of writing personalities.

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers promotes member books, organizes an annual writing conference, sponsors contests and awards, is a hub for writing resources, and is an all-around fun organization to be a part of. As its name implies its main focus is on fiction with the goal of helping its members get published.

If you live in Douglas County then check out Castle Rock Writers. In addition to sponsoring an annual conference that features prominent speakers and awards, this group also puts on monthly workshops where authors give talks on all kinds of topics. The most recent workshop was on the theme of transitioning from blogging to writing a memoir.

There’s also the Colorado Authors League based in Denver and serving its members throughout the state. You need to be published before you can apply for membership with this organization. It’s dedicated to promoting its member writers through strategies like publicity events, advertising, and social media networking.

Speaking of being published, when you’re ready for this there’s no shortage of venues in Colorado.

The Colorado Review is an annual literary journal put out by Colorado State University, but you don’t need to be a student to have your work considered for publication. It accepts submissions for non-fiction, fiction, poetry, and book reviews.

WildBlue Press in Denver has a knack for identifying talent. It publishes in a range of categories including true crime, sci-fi/fantasy, memoir, and mystery.

If the material you write is moving, beautiful, surprising, and has a rich literary quality, then contact Unbridled Books in Lakewood. They’re behind several bestsellers and up-and-coming authors you might have heard of.

Writing Colleges in Colorado Offering Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing Provide a Path to Becoming a Writer

As you gain experience in local writing groups you’ll encounter lifers. Similar to those in purgatory as described by Dante, these are aspiring authors that can’t cross the Rubicon into the realm of the published. They are a living demonstration of why it’s important to avail yourself of every opportunity to hone your skills.

A degree in creative writing can do wonders for your inspiration, motivation, abilities, and professional network. Your professors have been there and done that. As people who care about the power of the written word, they also want to see this field thrive and pass on the flame to the next generation. You must decide if you’re ready to pick up the torch.

Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Other Bachelor’s Degrees in Creative Writing in Colorado

Adams State University

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

adams state university

Colorado College

ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

colorado college

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

colorado state university

Naropa University

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

naropa university

University of Colorado Boulder

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

university of colorado boulder

University of Denver

COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Private School

university of denver

Western Colorado University

COMMUNICATION ARTS, LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE (CALL) DEPARTMENT

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Bachelor – BA

Public School

western colorado university

Master of Fine Arts (MFA) and Other Master’s Degrees in Creative Writing in Colorado

Colorado State University-Fort Collins

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MFA

Public School

colorado state university

Naropa University

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

naropa university

Regis University

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MFA

Private School

regis university

University of Colorado Boulder

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MFA

Public School

university of colorado boulder

University of Denver

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MA

Private School

university of denver

Western Colorado University

GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CREATIVE WRITING

Accreditation: HLC

Degree: Master – MFA, MA

Public School

western colorado university