University press
University Press of Colorado
Academic, History, Nonfiction
Published Updated Reviewed every month · next review November 2026
About University Press of Colorado
University Press of Colorado is open to book proposals through its online form. It wants scholarly books in anthropology, archaeology, composition and rhetoric, folklore, history and natural history. Send a cover letter and prospectus, not a full manuscript, and expect a reply in about 6 weeks.
University Press of Colorado is a university press based at 1580 N Logan St in Denver, Colorado. It publishes book-length work in anthropology, archaeology, composition and rhetoric, folklore, history and natural history, with a focus on the American West in history and natural history. Its submissions page also covers Utah State University Press, University of Wyoming Press and University of Alaska Press. The press routes those proposals to the right staff.
Proposals are open today through the online form at upcolorado.com/manuscript, with a file limit of 30MB. Send a cover letter and a prospectus with a description, table of contents with chapter summaries, word count, illustration count, audience, competing books, completion date and CV. Do not send a complete manuscript. The press aims to reply within six weeks. If your project fits, it requests the full manuscript, which then goes to two peer reviewers and the editorial board.
What University Press of Colorado is looking for
- Book-length work in anthropology, archaeology, composition and rhetoric, folklore, history and natural history
- Anthropology: cultural anthropology, ethnography, ethnohistory and Native American Studies
- Archaeology: New World, Near Eastern and thematic global books
- History of the American West
- Natural history on the environment and nature of the American West
- Manuscripts ideally of 90,000 words or less, with 25 or fewer images
Publishes
- Academic
- History
- Nonfiction
Specialties
- University press list
How to submit to University Press of Colorado
From its own guidelines- Read the prospectus guidelines on the submissions page.
- Write a cover letter and prospectus following those guidelines.
- Upload them through the online form at upcolorado.com/manuscript (30MB max).
- Wait about six weeks for a reply.
- Send the complete manuscript if the press asks for it.
Is University Press of Colorado right for your book?
A good fit if
This press suits scholars with book-length projects in anthropology, archaeology, rhetoric, folklore or Western history and natural history, ideally under 90,000 words.
Look elsewhere if
Look elsewhere if your manuscript runs over 120,000 words or you can only submit on paper. The press reviews a prospectus first, so it is not the place to send a complete manuscript up front.
University Press of Colorado imprints
Which take submissions| Imprint | Direct submissions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| University Press of Colorado | Yes | |
| Utah State University Press | Yes | Routed to correct personnel |
| University of Wyoming Press | Yes | Routed to correct personnel |
| University of Alaska Press | Yes | Routed to correct personnel |
| SAA Press | Not stated | Listed on submissions page |
Questions about University Press of Colorado
Does University Press of Colorado accept unsolicited manuscripts?
It accepts unsolicited proposals but not complete manuscripts at the first stage. Send a cover letter and prospectus through the online form. If your project fits, the press requests the full manuscript. Submissions must be electronic and no longer than 120,000 words, with 90,000 words or less preferred. Images should ideally number 25 or fewer. Simultaneous submissions are allowed.
How do I submit to University Press of Colorado?
Submit a cover letter and prospectus through the online form at upcolorado.com/manuscript. The prospectus covers a description, table of contents with chapter summaries, word count, illustration count, audience, competing books, completion date and your CV. Files can be up to 30MB. Proposals for Utah State University Press, University of Wyoming Press and University of Alaska Press go through the same page.
How long does University Press of Colorado take to reply?
University Press of Colorado aims to respond within six weeks. If your proposal fits, it asks for the complete manuscript. Two peer evaluations and editorial board approval follow. Contracts are usually based on the finished manuscript, so expect the full process to take longer than the first reply. Simultaneous submissions are allowed while you wait for a decision.
Listing history
- Checked on the publisher's own site
