Whether you are a Colorado native or just interested in moving to Colorado after graduation, Colorado is a wonderful place to live and a great place to practice optometry. We invite you to get to know our state and the Colorado Optometric Association during your student years. If you're a recent graduate who is considering moving to practice in Colorado, the Colorado Optometric Association can be a valuable resource while making the transition.

Living in Colorado

If you love the outdoors, Colorado offers a diverse array of recreational opportunities. From mountain activities such as hiking, biking and world-renowned skiing, to water sports like kayaking and river rafting, to golfing and world-class fishing, you can participate in almost any sport you enjoy here. Colorado boasts 18 million acres of state and national parks, forests and monuments. It's a great place to be outdoors!

If you're more of a city dweller, Colorado has much to offer. Thriving metropolitan areas offer cultural events, museums, breweries, wineries and fine dining and shopping. The people of Colorado are friendly and helpful, and even in the large cities of our state, many people appreciate the small-town friendliness of Colorado's citizens.

To learn more about recreational opportunities in Colorado, go to www.colorado.com.

Practicing Optometry in Colorado

The profession of optometry in Colorado is as diverse as its landscape. Many new graduates find opportunities in the large metropolitan areas, but there are also many under served rural areas that need providers.

The scope of optometric practice in Colorado is one of the best in the nation. Practitioners in our state are able to treat a wide array of eye disease, and have a wide range of therapeutic tools to choose from. Click here to read more about the optometric statute in Colorado.

Colorado Optometric Association Membership

Wherever you decide to practice, membership in your state optometric association and the American Optometric Association is of vital importance. Without our associations to represent us in legislative, third-party, Medicare and public arenas, our profession would not be the organized, effective force in health care that it is today. Because of our associations, and the optometrists in our associations before us, today's optometrists are able to provide to patients the highest level of optometric patient care in history.

In Colorado, we have been fortunate to have a long history of dedicated optometric leaders, a highly organized and motivated Association staff, and generations of volunteer optometrists who have worked tirelessly to ensure many of the privileges that we enjoy today in our practices.

Association Benefits for Students and New Graduates

• As a student/new graduate member, you'll receive the COA's monthly newsletter, Viewpoints. This publication includes valuable information about what's going on in Colorado optometry and lets you get to know your future colleagues.
• Your student/new graduate membership allows you free access to the Classifieds, including a listing of opportunities and practices for sale. You can call the COA office at any time to request an updated copy, or you may log onto the COA website's Member Center to view it online.
• You can also list yourself as an opportunity seeker in the COA Classifieds so that colleagues with available openings can find you easily.
• Student members and new graduates can take advantage of our Alumni Locator Program, which helps you connect with other graduates from your school. Their perspective and advice can be invaluable.
• The COA is a great resource for questions about issues such as securing a DEA number, networking opportunities, practice purchasing opportunities, buying group information and much more.
• The AOA offers a Career Center, a Managed Care Resource Guide, a Practice Resource Center and a Resource Guide for Employed/Affiliated Optometrists.
• The AOA provides a Dr. Locator service (with a link through the COA's website) so that patients can find your new practice.
• The COA is the largest network of optometrists in the state of Colorado. Many professional opportunities, friendships, mentorships and professional relationships have grown from contacts made at COA events. The COA sponsors social events at the Colorado Vision Summit, such as the President's Reception and the Awards Luncheon, to give members a chance to mingle and reconnect with colleagues. The annual Golf Tournament is always a great time to catch up with friends and enjoy a day in the sun. Annual Member Appreciation Dinners (MADs) are a great way to gather with fellow optometric friends and colleagues to socialize and meet new people.
• As a new graduate, AOA membership gives you access to group rate medical and dental plans, Life/Disability/Hospital Indemnity insurance programs, and low-cost professional liability insurance.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions about benefits for student/graduate members.

For a full listing of COA and AOA benefits, click here.

To apply for student/new graduate membership, click here.