A Message from the President | University of Colorado

We are grateful to Gov. Hickenlooper, the Colorado legislature

The Regular Session of the 70th General Assembly adjourned on May 6, and we at CU are grateful for the consideration given by the Colorado legislature toward higher education. Gov. John Hickenlooper's budget request and the legislature's approval of a more than $100 million increase for higher ed ($17.5 million to CU) demonstrates a deep commitment to Colorado students and families, and to the importance of higher education as an economic driver for our state.

We would like to thank Gov. Hickenlooper, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia and the Joint Budget Committee members for their leadership on making higher education a priority through this year's process.

Here's a recap:

State funds allocated for operating budgets of public colleges and universities: A statewide $66.6 million increase for operating in the coming fiscal year, FY 15-16.

State funds the CU system (all four campuses) will receive: $17.5 million: Broken out by campus with dollar (and percent) increase over the past year:

CU-Boulder: $6.3 million (10 percent)
CU Colorado Springs (UCCS): $2 million (10 percent)
CU Denver: $2.6 million (10 percent)
CU Anschutz: $6.3 million (11 percent) + $250,000 for Senate Bill 211 for CU's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center.

CU has two campus projects that will receive a significant investment for:

CU-Boulder Systems Biotechnology Building, Academic Wing
$28.2 million ($15 million State + $13.2 million cash)

CU Colorado Springs (UCCS) Visual and Performing Arts Complex (UCCS Ent Center for the Arts)
$20.6 million ($9.6 million State + $11 million cash)

While the long-term outlook for state funding for higher education in Colorado remains challenging, today we are grateful for the state's commitment.

Back to email

Make a difference. Give today!