There have been contacts with Colombian theoretical physicists for many years.

In 1993, an International Cooperation Agreement (ICA) was signed between CERN and the Administrative Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (COLCIENCIAS). A visit to Colombia in 2005 provided the opportunity to initiate experimental collaboration with CERN, and the HELEN programme (2005-2009) enabled several young Colombian scientists to come to CERN. In November 2012, the ICA between CERN and COLCIENCIAS was renewed.

A group from the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá was subsequently accepted in the CMS Collaboration, and a group from the Universidad Antonio Nariño, also in Bogotá, joined ATLAS in 2007. In 2014 Universidad Nacional de Colombia joined the LHCb Collaboration as associate member. Universidad del Valle (Cali) participates in experiments at the ISOLDE Facility.

In 2009, Colombia hosted the 5th CERN-Latin American School of High Energy Physics (CLASHEP) in Recinto Quirama, Antioquia Region.

Within a framework of increased attention to science, brought forward by the peace process in the country, a Protocol to the ICA with COLCIENCIAS was concluded in 2018, widening the participation of Colombian institutions in the experiments at CERN and facilitating their contribution to the experimental activities.