Clinical Trials at University of Colorado

About research studies in Aurora

Aurora has approximately 1,099 recruiting research studies across a wide range of therapeutic areas. Colorado hosts the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, National Jewish Health, and Children's Hospital Colorado, with strong programs in pulmonology, oncology, and cardiovascular research.

Common conditions studied in Aurora

• Breast Cancer (27 active studies). Breast cancer trials evaluate new hormone therapies, targeted drugs, and immunotherapy combinations aimed at improving survival and reducing recurrence.
• Obesity (18 active studies). Obesity trials evaluate GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists, novel metabolic drugs, and combined lifestyle interventions for sustainable weight loss.
• Heart Failure (13 active studies). Heart failure trials explore SGLT-2 inhibitors, novel myosin modulators, and device-based therapies for both reduced and preserved ejection fraction.
• Type 1 Diabetes (13 active studies). Type 1 diabetes research investigates immune-modulating therapies, stem cell–derived islet replacement, and closed-loop insulin delivery systems.
• Colorectal Cancer (12 active studies). Colorectal cancer trials explore novel chemotherapy combinations, targeted agents, and immunotherapy for microsatellite-instability-high tumors.
• Melanoma (12 active studies). Melanoma trials test immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive cell therapies, and BRAF/MEK targeted combinations in both early and metastatic disease.

Leading research sponsors in Aurora

• University of Colorado, Denver
• National Cancer Institute (NCI)
• VA Office of Research and Development
• Children's Oncology Group
• Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC

Local regulations and guidelines

Clinical trials in Colorado are governed by U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, Office for Human Research Protections (OHRP) standards, and federal HIPAA privacy rules. Every study is reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to protect participant safety and ensure informed consent. Colorado trials are additionally subject to the Colorado Privacy Act (CPA), which adds consumer data-protection requirements to federal baseline standards.

Compensation & what to expect

How payment typically works

Compensation is most often provided through reloadable electronic study cards or direct deposit, paid out per completed visit rather than as a lump sum. Amounts vary by the time required, the number of visits, and the study's complexity — overnight stays and inpatient pharmacology studies generally pay more than short outpatient surveys. The exact amount is disclosed in writing during informed consent before any visit.

Healthy volunteers

Healthy participants aged 18 and older can earn compensation by joining vaccine, pharmacology, and biomarker studies in Aurora. These trials check how a new drug or vaccine behaves in healthy bodies before later-phase testing. Many sites maintain a healthy-volunteer registry so you hear about new opportunities first.

What's included beyond payment

Most trials cover study-related medical care at no cost — physical exams, lab work, imaging, the investigational treatment itself, and follow-up visits with the research team. Insurance is not required to participate. Free check-ups and access to specialists are common reasons participants return for additional studies.

Travel and time

Many sponsors reimburse travel, parking, mileage, and lost wages for visit days. Long-running studies and trials that require frequent visits often raise stipends accordingly. Ask the study coordinator for the visit schedule and reimbursement policy before you commit.

Asking about compensation

Compensation is set per protocol and per site, so figures are not published in trial registries. The fastest way to confirm payment for a specific study is to contact the recruiting site listed on the study record. Coordinators are accustomed to this question and will quote the per-visit and total amounts up front.

How to find a clinical trial in Aurora

Hipa.ai aggregates every recruiting study in Aurora from ClinicalTrials.gov and refreshes the list daily. Use the filters above to narrow by condition, facility, age, phase, or healthy-volunteer eligibility, then click any study title to view full details — eligibility criteria, intervention, location, and sponsor contact information. To enroll, reach out to the central study contact listed on the study detail page; the research coordinator will walk you through the screening process.

Frequently asked questions

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