Welcome to Medical Education at the
University of Colorado Anschutz School of Medicine
Department of Neurosurgery

Welcome to Colorful Colorado!

The University of Colorado School of Medicine's Neurosurgery Residency Program aims to train exceptional neurosurgeons who will excel as skilled surgeons, compassionate caregivers, and academic leaders. The program lasts seven years and includes an intern year. We offer a high volume of cases that encompass the full range of neurosurgical subspecialties, including surgical neuro-oncology, open and endovascular, functional, skull base, and spinal neurosurgery (covering oncology, degenerative, reconstructive, and minimally invasive techniques).

student at microscope with instrument Our residents have an elective year during the 5th year of their training, during which we encourage them to pursue their specific interests within neurosurgery. The work during the 5th year also helps plan the 7th year, our "Transition to Practice" year. Our department has abundant opportunities for clinical and bench research, including cutting-edge work on brain tumors in both adult and pediatric populations, as well as robust programs focusing on machine learning and brain-computer interface. Opportunities for clinical research and quality improvement work are plentiful. In the past, we have supported a resident selected for a White House fellowship, while others have pursued an MBA.

A dedicated team of neurosurgeons from the University of Colorado Hospital at the Anschutz Medical Campus, the Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Hospital, Denver Health, and the Children's Hospital of Colorado provides clinical training in neurosurgery.

Colorful Colorado Colorado offers an unparalleled lifestyle outside of work, which many of our residents enjoy together during their free time. World-class skiing is just two hours from campus, and gold medal trout fishing is available within 90 minutes, as well as access to Rocky Mountain National Park, which features over 300 miles of trails in stunning high alpine surroundings. Denver has a vibrant food scene, numerous craft breweries and distilleries, biking trails, parks, and professional and college sports. Our airport, located just 19 minutes from campus, provides the most direct flights in the U.S., and multiple connections to Europe and Asia—though one could easily spend a lifetime exploring our majestic mountains.