University of Colorado

A Message from the President

March 2012

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Colorado Supreme Court rules on CU's weapons policy

The safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is our top priority. The Colorado Supreme Court on Monday ruled against the authority of the University of Colorado Board of Regents to ban handguns on CU campuses. The case of Students for Concealed Carry vs. the University of Colorado Board of Regents was originally heard in 2009, when the university was sued to extend Colorado's Concealed Carry Act to our campuses. We maintained that the issue was not about guns, but about the authority of the Board of Regents to govern the campuses, as set out in the Colorado Constitution and statute.

The university won at the trial court, but the decision was overturned by the Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court affirmed the appellate ruling. Our view is that the issue of whether those with concealed-carry permits (who must be 21 years old) should be allowed to carry guns on our campuses is a fair discussion. But we believe those closest to the situation — the Board of Regents elected by the people of Colorado — should be the group that guides the debate and makes the decision. The Supreme Court ruled that in this instance, the board's authority did not supersede state law.

We will abide by the law. We are determining how the ruling affects that imperative. The Board of Regents enacted the university's weapons ban in 1970 and strengthened it in 1994. It still covers all weapons other than handguns in possession of those with a valid permit.

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