Employment in Colorado (including hourly and salaried jobs and self-employment) is projected to grow by 23 percent from 2002 to 2012, adding some 551,630 new jobs to the state's economy and growing the workforce from 2,355,290 to 2,906,920. The rate of growth is much higher than the 15 percent increase projected for the nation as a whole. Strikingly, seven of Colorado's top jobs are in fields related to health. In the decade leading up to 2012, the need for health care professionals will rise steeply in the state. The demand for registered nurses will see a 43 percent increase, over 13,000 new R.N.s will be needed in the state. Colorado will see strong competition for those nurses. The top five states needing the largest numbers of nurses are all in the West (Colorado is number five). Pharmacists will log growth of 58 percent, with some 180 hires being made each year for new and replacement positions. Physician assistants will see a 52 percent increase in their ranks, with about 80 being hired each year for new positions. Physical therapists will experience a 43 percent increase, while occupational therapists will see a 43 percent boost in their numbers. Colorado will also experience a strong demand for new occupational therapists, radiation therapists and medical/health services managers. One reason for the increase: the aging of the state's population. This workforce brief describes 3 Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) student exchange programs helping to meet the needs of Colorado's ever increasing economy while continuing to keep one eye on the state's educational budget. (Contains 2 tables.)