Colorado students submitted nearly 57,000 college applications during Colorado’s third Free Application Day on Oct. 13.

The total number of applications submitted was 28% higher than last year and Colorado State University received the most applications with just over 10,300. 

The University of Colorado Boulder received over 9,000 applications, which was the second most by any Colorado institutions and was 22% higher than 2019.

“We are pleased that so many students saved money with Colorado Free Application Day,” said Gov. Jared Polis in a media release.

“In today’s world, and even more so post-pandemic, Coloradans benefit greatest from getting education or training beyond high school. By removing this cost barrier during an especially difficult economic time, we are making higher education more accessible for students and families, and I am proud our institutions continue to step up and support Coloradans.”

Colorado Free Application Day is designed to boost the percentage of Coloradans attending higher education institutions and to adhere the Colorado Department of Higher Education’s (CDHE) goal to eliminate equity gaps in higher education, according to the release. 

On this year’s free application date, nearly half of the applications that were submitted were by students of color and 33% were the first generation in their families to apply to college, according to the release.

“We are thrilled that we continue to see an uptick in applications this year, especially by our students of color and first-get students,” said Dr. Angie Paccione, executive director of CDHE.

“More and more students continue to take advantage of this opportunity. Even though college may look different this year, we need their energy, smarts and tenacity as we develop future health professionals, researchers and strategists with the skills a postsecondary education provides.”