Colorado FIRST

Colorado FIRST offers FIRST LEGO League Explore, where children use LEGO elements in hands-on STEM work, with teams of up to six children and adult coaches. It also offers FIRST LEGO League Challenge, where students research a real-world problem and design and build a LEGO robot for qualifiers. The program also includes FIRST Tech Challenge, where teams work with adult mentors to design, build, program, and test a robot for a new game each season, and FIRST Robotics Competition, where students build and program robots through the engineering process.

Programs

• FIRST LEGO League Explore — Ages 6-10; Grades K-3 · Hands-on STEM program using LEGO elements; teams of up to six children with adult coaches. Festivals are non-competitive approximately three-hour events.
• FIRST LEGO League Challenge — Ages 8-14; Grades 4-8 · Students research a real-world problem, design and build a LEGO robot, and compete in qualifiers.
• FIRST Tech Challenge — Ages 12-18; Grades 7-12 · Teams of up to 15 students work with adult mentors to design, build, program, and test a robot for a new game each season.
• FIRST Robotics Competition — Grades 9-12 · Students work together through the complete engineering process to build ~100lb robots and develop skills in strategy, project management, fundraising, communications, outreach, and leadership.

At a glance

• Ages: 6–18 years old

About the provider

Colorado FIRST was founded in 2001. Its mission is to deliver high quality FIRST robotics programs to students in Colorado, including managing tournaments, supporting teams, and working with program mentors. Colorado FIRST is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit public charity and supports students, teams, mentors, volunteers, educators, and communities across the state.

Colorado FIRST supports statewide robotics programs and resources. No technical skills are required for some programs. Colorado does not require or expect presentations for FIRST LEGO League Explore festivals. All events are open to the public at no charge, within current restrictions for facility capacity.

Last updated November 9, 2026.